Rize, Turkey

The town of Rize by the Black Sea in northeastern Turkey is the centre of Turkey’s tea industry. Most (or all?) of Turkey’s tea is grown in the province with the same name or neighbouring provinces. Rize is also the seat of the state owned tea manufacturing company Caykur. Apart from it’s headquarters Caykur runs a tea research centre with an adjoining tea garden (which in Turkey means a garden where tea is served) and also a small tea museum that displays some tea manufacturing equipment.I was very well received at the research centre when I was there in October 2011, they found some staff who spoke some English and they invited me for some tea in the garden. They could not show the activities of the centre though.I was also well received at the Caykur head quarters when I knocked on the door and asked for information on Turkish tea. In general the Turks are very friendly people.