Adaçayı (Turkish Sage Tea)
اداچائی (ترکی سیج کی چائے)
Adaçayı literally means "island tea", and it's what Turks call sage tea, because wild sage grows on the islands and hills along the Aegean coast. Dried sage leaves are steeped in hot water to make a pale green-gold tea with an earthy, slightly camphor-like aroma, softened with lemon and honey. It's popular after heavy meals and in winter, and many Turkish families keep a bundle of dried sage hanging in the kitchen.
- ⏱ Total: 10 min
- Prep: 2 min
- Cook: 8 min
- Easy
- Serves 2
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Bring the water to a boil in a and take it off the heat.
Add the sage leaves, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Sage is strong, so don't leave it longer or it turns bitter.
Strain into glasses and serve with lemon slices and honey.
Kitchen notes
Use less sage than you think. A tablespoon of dried leaves is plenty for two glasses.
Dried sage is sold in supermarket spice sections and online. Fresh sage can be grown easily in a pot.
Sage tea is traditionally enjoyed in moderation, one or two glasses a day. Pregnant women are usually advised to avoid large amounts of sage; ask your doctor.
The island tea
Along the Aegean coast and on its islands, sage grows wild on rocky hillsides, and families gather and dry it every summer. In Turkey, adaçayı is drunk all year, but especially in winter and after big meals, as a soothing, caffeine-free alternative to black tea.
Brewing
Sage is much stronger than linden or chamomile. Use a small amount, steep it in just-boiled water rather than boiling it, and keep it covered so the aromatic oils don’t escape. Five minutes is enough. Lemon cuts the slightly bitter edge, and honey softens it.
Finding sage in Pakistan
Dried sage is sold in the spice section of larger supermarkets, as it’s used in Western cooking, and by online spice sellers. It also grows well in a pot on a sunny balcony, giving you fresh leaves all year.
Serving
Serve in tulip glasses or small cups, with lemon and honey. It pairs well with simple biscuits or dried fruit, and it’s a calming drink after a rich meal like İskender kebab.
Questions people ask
What does sage tea taste like?
Earthy, herbal and slightly piney, with a gentle bitterness that lemon and honey balance.
Can I mix it with other herbs?
Yes. Sage with a few mint leaves or a pinch of linden flowers is a common Turkish blend.
Is it caffeine-free?
Yes, completely.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 22
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
