Turkish Tea (Çay) with Lemon and Honey

If using a traditional Turkish teapot (Çaydanlık): Fill the bottom pot with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.

If using two separate pots: Fill a large pot with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. In a smaller pot, add the loose leaf tea.

Once the water boils, pour about half of the boiling water over the loose leaf tea in the upper pot of the Çaydanlık (or into the smaller pot). Add 2 cups of cold water to the now emptied lower pot of the Çaydanlık (or continue using the larger pot).

Place the upper pot (or smaller pot with tea) on top of the lower pot (or move the smaller pot to a burner near the larger pot) and reduce heat to low. Allow the tea to steep for at least 15 minutes. The steam from the boiling water in the bottom pot will gently brew the tea in the top pot.

To serve, pour a small amount of the concentrated tea from the top pot into each tulip-shaped glass (about 1/4 to 1/3 full).

Top off each glass with hot water from the bottom pot (or larger pot), adjusting the ratio of tea to water to your preference. The color should be a deep reddish-brown.

Serve immediately with a slice of lemon and a drizzle of honey (optional).

Enjoy sipping your Turkish tea slowly!