I placed the back of my hand over my nose and mouth, trying to block an overwhelming odor. I hesitated to cup my palm directly over my face for fear of touching germs I might have picked up. Holding my breath, I quickly washed my hands and hurried for the door, but it was too late. My throat began to dry heave as I gasped for fresh air to replace a scent that reminded me of a sewage tank on a hot summer day.
My first impression of the Caykur tea garden in Rize was disappointing. During my travels in Turkey I have encountered unhygienic public toilets before, so this wasn’t entirely unexpected, and it certainly didn’t ruin the visit. Once the initial shock passed, I understood why the tea garden is recommended as a stop.
The Çaykur tea garden offers a magnificent panoramic view over Rize.
Rize sits on the Black Sea coast and is famous throughout Turkey for its tea production. I’ve met people from Rize before and found them to be quirky and outspoken, with a distinctive outlook on life — traits that seem to match the character of the city itself.
Rize Çaykur Tea Garden
The tea garden is connected to a research center and both are associated with the Çaykur brand, a state-owned tea company in Turkey. Considering how much tea Turks drink, it makes sense that tea production remains a significant and well-supported industry.
Given local tea consumption, there’s little surprise that tea is an important part of the economy and culture here.
Once I moved beyond the spectacular view, my excitement settled into a quiet appreciation. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of green tea and then continued exploring the area.
The site is, essentially, a tea garden—pleasant, relaxed, and focused on tea and the scenery. If you were hoping for something grander, like a factory tour with extensive exhibits, this isn’t it. For a brief stop to enjoy local tea and the views, however, it’s worthwhile.
I recommend the Çaykur tea garden for a short visit. It was my first introduction to Rize and, despite an inauspicious start, it left a pleasant impression.
