Çayeli, District in Rize Province, Turkey
Çayeli is an administrative district in Rize Province on Turkey's Black Sea coast, where green hills and valleys are covered with tea plantations. The landscape is marked by cultivated terraces that follow the contours of the sloping terrain.
The district took its present form in the early 1900s when tea plants were introduced to the region and transformed the local economy. This shift changed the landscape from mixed farming to a tea-focused community.
Tea growing shapes daily life in this district, with people harvesting leaves by hand and teahouses serving as community meeting places. The traditional methods of cultivation and processing remain central to how residents experience their surroundings.
The district is divided into several neighborhoods, each with its own character and local services accessible to visitors. It's best to explore the area according to the season, as tea harvest affects local activity and business hours in the community.
Tea leaves are processed around the clock in local facilities, especially during harvest season when tons of fresh leaves arrive daily. Much of this intensive work happens in small, family-run factories that sometimes welcome visitors to watch the operation.
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