Papatya Çayı (Chamomile Tea)
پاپاتیا چائی (بابونے کی چائے)
Chamomile, *papatya* in Turkish and babuna in Urdu, is one of the few herbal teas equally at home in both countries. In Turkey it's the gentle evening tea, often given to children, and in Pakistan babuna flowers have long been sold by pansari shops for home remedies. Dried flowers steeped in just-boiled water make a pale golden tea that tastes softly of apple and honey. It takes five minutes and needs nothing more than flowers, water and a spoon of honey.
- ⏱ Total: 9 min
- Prep: 2 min
- Cook: 7 min
- Easy
- Serves 2
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Bring the water to a boil in a , take it off the heat and wait 1 minute.
Add the chamomile flowers, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Strain, stir in honey and a slice of lemon if you like, and serve warm.
Kitchen notes
Babuna flowers from pansari shops are the same chamomile. Choose whole, yellow-white flowers that smell sweet, not dusty.
Cover while steeping to keep the aroma in the tea.
Chamomile is a mild, comforting tea, not a medicine. People with ragweed or daisy allergies should avoid it.
One tea, two countries
Chamomile grows wild across Anatolia, and in Turkish homes papatya çayı is the tea for winding down: after dinner, before bed, or for a child with an upset tummy. Pakistani families know it as babuna, sold dried in every pansari shop and used in home remedies for generations. It’s a rare herbal tea that needs no hunting for ingredients.
Steep, don’t boil
Like linden, chamomile is a flower, and boiling it brings out bitterness. Bring the water to the boil, let it settle for a minute, then pour it over the flowers and cover the pot. Five minutes gives a soft, golden tea. Longer makes it stronger but slightly more bitter.
Variations
- With mint: a few fresh mint leaves added with the flowers.
- With linden: half chamomile, half ıhlamur, a very gentle winter blend.
- Iced: chill the tea and serve over ice with lemon and honey.
Serving
Serve warm in glasses or a mug, with honey on the side. It’s a calm end to the day, especially after a heavy dinner.
Questions people ask
Can children drink it?
Weak chamomile tea is a traditional drink for children in Turkey. Don't give honey to babies under one year.
Can I add milk?
Turks drink it plain, but a splash of warm milk with honey makes a soothing bedtime drink.
How long do dried flowers keep?
About a year in an airtight jar away from light.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 20
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 5 g
