The sweet, slightly suspicious brew that follows you home
If you’ve ever wandered through the Grand Bazaar, floated across the Bosphorus on a ferry, or been politely ushered into a carpet shop “just to have a look”, you’ll know the drill: a tulip-shaped glass materialises, a saucer appears underneath it, and suddenly you’re holding a warm, apple-scented drink. Apple tea is Turkey’s unofficial welcome drink for tourists — fragrant, cosy, and just sweet enough to make you lower your guard (and occasionally your bargaining instincts).
What is apple tea, really?
Despite the name, Turkish elma çayı isn’t usually black tea with apple added. It’s typically a fruit or herbal infusion made from dried apple pieces, sometimes mixed with hibiscus, rosehip or cinnamon. Some versions are proper dried-fruit blends, others come in teabags, and a few are instant powders you stir straight into hot water. Most are caffeine-free, which is why so many holidaymakers glug them happily at all hours.
Why tourists love it
Partly because it tastes like being on holiday: fruity, gentle, and unlikely to cause a cultural faux pas. It’s also served in the same elegant tulip-shaped glasses used for traditional Turkish tea, so tourists get the theatre and charm without the sharp bitterness of strong black çay. And let’s be honest — it looks great in photos.
Is it healthy?
That depends on which version you buy. Blends made from real dried apple and herbs can be a pleasant, vitamin-rich infusion. Powders and cheaper “apple-flavoured drinks”, on the other hand, can be sneaky sugar bombs masquerading as tea. Still, few travellers sipping apple tea between market stalls are thinking about nutrition labels — and perhaps that’s just as well.
How to drink it (and look like you know what you’re doing)
Drink from the rim, not the saucer. Sip, don’t slurp. Try it without sugar first — many blends are already sweet. And if someone offers you a refill, accepting is considered polite. You may, however, decline the carpet that will inevitably be shown to you shortly afterwards.
Powders vs. teabags
Instant apple tea powders are convenient, especially if you want a quick holiday flashback at home — they dissolve instantly and taste much the same as what’s often served in tourist hotspots. Teabags and loose blends tend to feel a bit more “authentic”, especially if they contain real dried apple pieces, but they require a little more patience.
Should you bring some home?
Absolutely. It’s lightweight, cheerful, and makes an excellent gift — the sort that says, “I thought of you while being gently herded through a spice market.” Just warn recipients that some apple teas are refreshing and subtle… and others are basically warm, apple-scented jelly.
Five suppliers of apple tea (powder or teabags)
1. Doğadan
A well-known Turkish tea brand offering apple fruit tea in teabags with blends that often include apple pieces and warming spices. Widely available and reliable.
Website: https://www.dogadan.com.tr
2. Çaykur
Turkey’s historic tea producer, known mainly for black tea but also selling fruit and flavoured teas, including apple varieties. A good choice for anyone who wants a big, established name.
Website: https://www.caykur.com.tr
3. Arifoğlu
A traditional Turkish herbal and spice company offering apple tea in teabags and loose blends. A nice pick for those who prefer a more natural, bazaar-style herbal infusion.
Website: https://www.arifoglu.com
4. Hafız Mustafa 1864
Famous for sweets and traditional delicacies, they also sell beautifully packaged apple tea, often in decorative tins — ideal for gifting.
Website: https://online.hafizmustafa.com
5. Lezzo (instant apple tea powder)
A well-loved instant apple drink powder brand — the same type often served in tourist cafés. Simple, sweet and convenient for quick brewing.
Website (retailer example): https://turkishporter.com/lezzo-instant-apple-tea-elma-cayi-700g