Turkish Delights

The Graduate invited two friends over for some Turkish Delights this week. We have enjoyed turkish tea a few times since her arrival home. Not enough according to her though! She had grown accustomed to having it quite a bit. I would relish more relaxation with tea time too, but there never seems to be enough time in the day to sit down together and do so. However, she planned this and carved out time in her busy schedule to play hostess and display her newfound Turkish hospitality. She hopes to do this more often with other friends too.

Years ago, just prior to 9/11, when we lived in Idaho, Bob went to Turkey on a training mission. He was gone for just over a week and returned two days before the attack on our country. We were so relieved to have him safely home. In his brief time there, he accomplished quite a bit of shopping for us and our home. He shipped home five boxes that came over a course of several weeks. He shipped back copper bowls and pitchers, lots of wrought iron, lanterns of all shapes and colors, rugs, Turkish towels, and polish pottery.
Some of it we used to add to our table centerpiece for the tea. We also decorated with The Graduate's Darbuka (her hand hammered copper drum) as well as lit lanterns, woven bookmarks, hand cymbals, olive oil soaps and hand knitted slippers. 

The centerpiece of her display was her tray of edible Turkish delights: caramel waffles, Turkish chocolate (hazelnut raisin) and rose, orange, and vanilla flavored turkish delight candy (see in purple bowl). (The scones are petit vanilla scones from Pioneer Woman....not Turkish at all). The tray (above) and sugar bowl (see below) were carried all the way back from Turkey. She went with the intent of getting a Turkish tea set for herself as her gift to commemorate her trip and her time there. She had quite a time getting it all home!

 A better view including rose jam and lemon curd in the background.

The purple bowl full of candy as well as the jam bowls are hand painted bowls also from Turkey. They are intricately painted on the inside where you can't see. I love them. They are gorgeous. Apparently, rose is a common flavoring in Turkey. I am not sure I like it all that much, but it isn't bad.

Demonstrating the correct way to pour tea with a Turkish teapot.

She visited many shops, trying to decide which kind of teapot to get. My nephew went with her and was able to bargain a bit for the teacups and spoons as well. Most shops will serve you tea as they show you their wares and it is considered rude to not have tea. This is also common when you visit the locals. She finally decided on this stainless steel one with a porcelain top. In the very top picture, you can see how they sit one on top of the other. The bottom just has boiling water in it and the top one is for the steeping of the loose leaf tea. Years ago, my sister brought me one that is both stainless on top and bottom. You pour them simultaneously and can adjust the strength of the tea, making it light or dark, depending on how much water you add. It is not typical to add cream, but they do add sugar.   

The Turkish teacups are glass. Some are very simple and some very ornate and decorated. The Graduate could tell you more about the shape, but apparently, the tulip is very common there. It is reflected in many of their items. The bowls and the Christmas ball ornament (above next to tray) are handpainted with them as well as the little gift bag. So, the shape of the teacups are similar in shape to the tulip too. When you drink from them, you must hold from the top. The size of the teacups are also very important. Turks like their tea very hot and if the cup is large, their tea cools before they can drink or finish it. The hostess is also considered lazy if she uses large teacups as she has to get up and serve less often! These, that The Graduate chose, are considered rather large by most standards, but they are so pretty.


Continuing around the table, serving each guest.



A close up although a bit blurry.



My absolute favorite picture showing the delicacy and
 intricacy of her teacups, plates and spoon.


It was a lovely time, ending with the viewing of several hundreds(thousands?) of pictures taken in Turkey. :) We have still not seen all of them! There are still many pictures and stories to share about her adventures. We hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into Turkish hospitality and wares.
Love, Ellie~