Turkish Tea Set — How to Choose a Çaydanlık and Optic Glasses

Real Turkish tea starts with the right kit. Our brewing guide covers the recipe; this one helps you choose the right Turkish tea set — from a family stainless çaydanlık to HoReCa tea boilers and optic glasses.

What is a çaydanlık?

A çaydanlık is the traditional Turkish double teapot. The larger lower kettle boils the water. The smaller upper kettle sits on top and brews the tea concentrate. Steam from the bottom keeps the top warm — so the tea stays hot and can be served as concentrate + boiling water in each glass individually.

Without a çaydanlık you cannot really make Turkish tea — everything else is just "black tea".

Sizes — which one is right?

Family stainless çaydanlık — for home

The family stainless çaydanlık is the classic double set: ~1L bottom + 0.5L top. Serves 4–6 people per brew. Stainless steel is universal — works on every cooktop including induction (a common mistake — aluminium tourist sets only work on gas).

For 95% of households this is the only kettle you need.

80, 120 and 160-cup tea boiler — for HoReCa

Restaurants, kebab shops, hotels and guesthouses choose an electric samovar-style boiler with thermostat control. Three standard sizes:

• 80-cup boiler — smaller café, up to 40 seats
• 120-cup boiler — mid-size restaurant or guesthouse
• 160-cup boiler — large restaurant, kebab shop, cafeteria

A boiler keeps tea at service temperature all day without scorching — which is critical in HoReCa.

Why optic glasses matter

Turkish "tulip" glasses are not fashion — the shape is functional. The narrow top traps aroma; the wider bottom cools quickly so you can hold the glass. Traditional size is ~100 ml.

The Paşabahçe Optic 12-piece set is the standard — Paşabahçe is Turkey's largest glassware maker and Optic is the line used in 90% of Turkish homes and cafés. The signature vertical "optic" ribbing is not just decorative — it helps you hold a hot glass without burning your fingers.

Which tea goes with which kit?

• Daily home use: family çaydanlık + Optic set + Çaykur Tiryaki 1 kg
• Home, premium: same set + Orçay Gold 1 kg
• Café or restaurant: 80/120/160 boiler + 2-3 Optic sets + bulk Orçay Gold

Care and cleaning

The stainless çaydanlık is dishwasher-safe. Optic glasses are thermal-shock resistant but do not scrub them with bare nails — the glass is thin and a sharp nail can create micro-cracks. HoReCa boilers need monthly descaling (citric acid + water).

Common mistakes

• Buying an aluminium tourist set — will not work on induction, discolours fast.
• Pouring cold water into a hot stainless kettle — can crack.
• Using "universal" glasses — without the optic shape the tea does not cool properly.

Ready to order?

Browse our full kit and teas, or start with the pick: family çaydanlık + Optic 12-piece + Çaykur Tiryaki. HoReCa enquiries: contact form or B2B portal.