The History of Rize Tea: The Black Sea's Tea Story from 1924 to Today

The history of Rize tea officially begins in 1924, when a law authorising tea cultivation in Rize was enacted. Zihni Derin is remembered as the pioneer of tea farming in Turkey; the first tea factory opened in Rize in 1947, Çaykur was established in 1971, and in 1984 private-sector tea production was liberalised. Today, Rize is the first city that comes to mind when you think of tea in Turkey.

Milestones in the History of Rize Tea

The story of Rize tea, now approaching a century, can be summed up through a few key turning points:

Year	Development
1924	A law authorising tea cultivation in Rize was enacted.
1947	The first tea factory opened in Rize.
1971	Çaykur was founded.
1984	Private-sector tea production was liberalised.

1924: A Journey That Began with a Law

Tea was already a popular drink in Turkey long before it was produced domestically. Yet the first official step towards local production came in 1924: the law on tea cultivation in Rize paved the way for a new crop in the region. The Black Sea coast's humid climate, abundant rainfall and sloping terrain were considered well suited to the tea plant.

At the time, agriculture in the region looked very different; the range of crops that could grow on steep hillsides was limited, and many families struggled to make a living. Tea was seen as a plant that could put those slopes to use, yield a harvest every year and open a lasting source of income for the area. That expectation would largely be fulfilled in the decades that followed.

Establishing a new crop in a region is never straightforward. Growing the seedlings, persuading farmers and allowing the plant to adapt to local soil all took time. The name most closely associated with pioneering tea farming in this period is Zihni Derin. His efforts, together with those of the workers of the era, laid the foundations for the green hillsides Rize is known for today.

In the early years, growers did not find it easy to get used to this new plant. Tea is a shrub that takes years to produce a worthwhile yield after planting, so it demanded patience and a long-term investment from the farmer. Gardens were first established on small plots; as the plant proved successful in these soils, cultivation spread from neighbour to neighbour.

1947: The First Tea Factory and Industrialisation

Turning fresh leaves harvested in the garden into black tea required a factory. When the first tea factory opened in Rize in 1947, tea began its transformation from an agricultural experiment into a fully fledged industry. The factory made it possible to process leaves in an orderly sequence of withering, rolling, oxidation, drying and sorting. We explain how these stages are carried out today in our article on how black tea is produced.

The opening of the factory also marked a new era for local growers. Fresh tea leaves could now be purchased and processed on a regular basis, which accelerated the spread of tea gardens across the region.

1971: The Founding of Çaykur

As tea production grew, the need to organise the sector under a single body came to the fore. Çaykur was founded in 1971, and the farming, purchasing, processing and marketing of tea continued to take shape around this institution. In Rize and the surrounding area, tea became one of the primary livelihoods for many families.

During this period tea became embedded not just in Black Sea life but in the daily routine of the entire country. From the breakfast table to the workplace, from tea houses to train journeys, a well-brewed tea served in a slender tulip-shaped glass became an inseparable part of Turkish hospitality. The growth of domestic production made it easier for this habit to reach every household.

1984: The Private Sector Enters Tea Production

The liberalisation of private-sector tea production in 1984 opened a new chapter on the Black Sea coast. Following this regulation, private tea factories began to be established in the region. As a result:

• Fresh-leaf growers gained access to a greater number of buyers.
• Different blends, packaging formats and product varieties began reaching consumers.
• New employment opportunities emerged around the factories in the region.
• Rize tea was introduced to a wider audience through a range of brands.

Berberoğlu Çay is one of today's representatives of this tradition, producing tea at its own factory in Rize and sourcing fresh tea leaves directly from local growers. You can read our story on our about us page.

Rize Tea Today

The journey that began with a law almost a century ago continues today, with tea gardens stretching from the Black Sea shoreline up to the highland plateaux. Each spring, a new season opens with the picking of the first shoots; throughout summer the gardens are alive with harvesting and the factories work at full pace. During the season, sacks of fresh tea carried along garden paths, growers waiting at the weighing stations and factories running late into the night are all part of Rize's summer landscape. When the season closes, the gardens are pruned and maintained, and the plants are prepared for the following spring. This cycle is sustained by knowledge passed down from generation to generation. We explore the climate and soil conditions that shape the character of Rize tea in our article on why Rize tea tastes better, and the harvest as it looks in the gardens in our piece on the Black Sea tea harvest.

The most important protagonists in this history are, without doubt, the tea growers themselves. Harvesting on steep slopes, often in the rain, is the most tangible sign of the labour behind Rize tea. For the people of the region, tea is not merely a livelihood; it is part of their table, their conversation and their identity.

The grower's work still relies largely on manual labour today, yet digital tools are playing an increasing role in processes such as purchasing, weighing and payments. For example, the growers who supply their fresh tea leaves to us can track their deliveries, receipts and payments through the e-Müstahsil portal. Bringing a century-old tradition together with today's technology is the newest page in this story.

History teaches us one more thing: good tea is the product of a chain that begins in the garden. The care given to the soil, picking the leaves at the right time, getting them to the factory without delay and processing them with attention — when any link in that chain weakens, the result in the cup changes too. Rize's tea culture remains strong today precisely because it has kept that chain alive across generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did tea cultivation begin in Rize?

The law authorising tea cultivation in Rize was passed in 1924, and this date is regarded as the official start of tea farming in the region. In the years that followed, tea gardens became increasingly widespread.

When did Turkey's first tea factory open?

Turkey's first tea factory opened in Rize in 1947. This marked the beginning of regular processing of fresh tea leaves and the emergence of tea as an industrial sector.

Who is Zihni Derin?

Zihni Derin is remembered as the pioneer of tea farming in Turkey. He is commemorated for his efforts in establishing and spreading tea cultivation in Rize.

When was Çaykur founded?

Çaykur was founded in 1971. With its establishment, tea farming, purchasing and processing were organised under a single institution.

When were private tea factories established?

Private-sector tea production was liberalised in 1984. From that date onwards, private tea factories began to be established across the Black Sea region.

Bring a Century-Old Tradition to Your Cup

The history of Rize tea is a fine example of how a single plant can change the fortunes of an entire region. If you would like to taste this tradition today, browse our packaged teas; orders over 1.500 TL qualify for free delivery.