From Scotland to Rize A Shared Passion for Growing Tea

Discovering the connections between two very different tea-growing landscapes.

A sea of green in Rize! Exploring the tea gardens of Türkiye

What does a tea garden in Scotland have in common with the vast green tea plantations of Rize in Türkiye? More than you might imagine!

In October 2026, I travelled to north-eastern Türkiye with the Tea Grown in Europe Association, joining fellow European tea growers for an opportunity to explore one of the world's most established tea-growing regions.

As someone growing tea in Scotland, I was particularly interested in discovering how our experiences compared. Although the landscapes and climates are different, I quickly realised that we share many of the same challenges, questions and passion for this remarkable plant.

A familiar landscape, a different climate

Rize, situated on Türkiye's Black Sea coast, is surrounded by dramatic mountains and lush green tea gardens. The abundant rainfall and humid climate create ideal conditions for tea cultivation.

Standing amongst the tea bushes, I was struck by the similarities to parts of Scotland. The rolling green landscapes, changeable weather and mountainous surroundings felt surprisingly familiar.

Of course, our growing conditions differ. Scotland experiences colder winters, which means protecting our tea bushes and managing them is particularly important. However, our active growing season is surprisingly similar, generally running from April through to October. It is fascinating that, despite the differences in winter temperatures and climate, we share such a similar window for growing and harvesting tea.

At Scottish Tea House, we have been experimenting with growing techniques, including polytunnels, to improve growing conditions and extend the opportunities for harvesting.

It was fascinating to see how growers in another part of Europe approach some of the same questions we face at home.

Learning from research and tradition

One of the highlights was visiting Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, where we learned about the extensive research being undertaken into tea cultivation and production.

I was amazed by the scale of the research and the number of patents associated with tea. From plant varieties and processing techniques to innovation in machinery, it was a wonderful insight into how science continues to shape the tea industry.

We also explored different methods of producing tea, discovering how the handling and processing of fresh leaves can influence the finished cup.

A tea tasting of handmade black, green and oolong teas, including those prepared by Atilla Polat, gave us the opportunity to compare aromas, flavours and quality. Sharing opinions and knowledge around the tasting table was a reminder of how much we can learn from one another.

It's the people who make the difference

Beyond the tea gardens and research, what really made the visit special was the people.

We received such a warm welcome from the Turkish tea community. Dr Atilla Polat, who generously took annual leave to guide and look after our group, made the experience particularly memorable.

A tea tasting and sharing Scottish Tea House tea with fellow tea enthusiasts in Rize.

There is something special about meeting people who share your enthusiasm for tea, regardless of where they grow it.

Bringing the experience home

The Tea Grown in Europe Association and Tea Scotland provides an opportunity for growers from across Europe to share knowledge, experiences and ideas. Although our climates and growing conditions vary, we are all working towards a common ambition: establishing a sustainable future for European tea.

For Scottish Tea House, this journey reinforced the importance of continuing to experiment, learn and develop our own tea garden.

It also highlighted the potential for tea tourism. In Rize, tea is part of the landscape, culture and visitor experience. Here in Scotland, we are developing our own way of sharing that journey through our Tea Tour experiences, allowing visitors to discover the story behind locally grown tea.

I returned from Türkiye with new friendships, fresh ideas and an even greater appreciation of the European tea-growing community.

The Tea Grown in Europe Association in the beautiful hills of Rize, sharing knowledge and a passion for tea.

Scotland and Türkiye may be thousands of miles apart, but our passion for growing tea brings us together.

From the mountains of Rize to our little tea garden in Scotland, the journey continues – one leaf at a time.