a land flowing with tea and honey
At the western edge of Türkiye's Black Sea coast is the city of Rize. Tea was introduced to the region during the early Republican period because the wet, cool climate was considered conducive. Today, tea production is an important part of the economy, supplying tea to the rest of Türkyie and beyond. Local companies like Çaykur have investments here, as do global companies like Lipton. Another valued commodity in Rize is its honey, which is cultivated in the hills and mountains behind the city. There is a common belief that the quality of honey increases with altitude, and honey from the highest areas can fetch more than 650₺ ($300) per kilo! Recreation opportunities abound in Rize, including hiking in some of Türkiye's highest mountains, the Kaçkar (koch-kar) Mountains, and rafting down the Fırtına (fuhr-tuh-nah) River. One popular tourist destination is the village of Ayder, which is famous for its thermal springs and waterfalls.
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