Türkische Apfeltee

Eric and I had an official Date Day in our favorite city: Aachen. I seriously can't get enough of that place..but at least we make it up there once in a while, ya know, as a treat :)

We did our usual routine: Crazy Sushi, Oil & Vinegar, Lush and Starbucks.

As of late, we've really been getting into Tea. Big time. We usually pick up different flavors of stuff when we're out and about and I realized that there was a store specifically for tea in Aachen. It's called, "Tee Gschwendner" and it's a pretty cool lil shop!  When you talk in, a wall of all different tea scents hit you in the face, plus they have unique little teapots available!

Several years ago, Eric was stationed over in Turkey and has ALWAYS talked about Turkish Apple Tea and how amazing it is. After staring at the great wall of tea tins, I spotted one that said, " Türkische Apfeltee ".. When I pointed it out to him, he instantly got excited cause there was a chance it was the authentic stuff he's been looking for. The gal opened up the tea tin for us to get a whiff.. and I swear, Eric's eyes dilated and he looked like a kid in a candy store! This is exactly what he's been hunting for! We ended up getting a 250 gram bag in addition to some tea strainers for our mugs:

The tea is actually pretty interesting.. it's dried pieces of apple with different spices tossed into the mix. In a sense, it almost smells like Apple Pie (seriously). 

We're now on a mission to find a Turkish teapot set..at least that's what Eric said since he wants to have his official Turkish tea the proper way. Instead of using a standard teapot to boil water in, you use this:

 

How to use a Turkish Teapot:

* Put 2 heaping spoonfuls of black tea in the top double boiler per glass along with enough water to cover - about a quarter of a cup per glass should be sufficient.

* Fill the bottom tea kettle with half a cup of water per glass. If you are only making a few glasses, make sure to add extra liquid so it doesn't boil away. Minimally, the bottom teapot should be at least a quarter of the way full.

* Place the top kettle on the bottom kettle, put the whole thing on the stove, and bring the water to boil. Because it is a double boiler, the top should become very hot, but should not boil, and the tea will end up being very strong. This process will take longer than just boiling water, but will be worth the wait!

* When the water in the top boiler is fragrant and very hot, pour the tea into a cup, using a tea strainer if you do not want leaves at the bottom of your glass. The end ratio should be about 1/3 to 1/4 of a cup of tea to hot water.

*  Add sugar to taste, or, if desired, milk. For a traditional Turkish tea experience, use only sugar, and serve in a tulip shaped cup.

 

One of our friends is currently over in Turkey for the next week, so hopefully he can keep an eye out for one of these for us. Poor guy, he's already searching for a rug for us..might as well add a teapot set to the mix, lol.