Kuşburnu Çayı (Turkish Rosehip Tea)
کُش بُرنو چائی (ترکی روز ہپ چائے)
Kuşburnu, "bird's nose", is the Turkish name for rosehips, the small red fruits that wild roses leave behind in autumn. Dried and simmered, they make a deep ruby tea with a fruity, tangy taste, a little like a warm, gentle imli without the sweetness. Rosehips are naturally rich in vitamin C, which is why Turkish families drink this tea through the winter. It's served in tulip glasses, just like ordinary tea.
- ⏱ Total: 17 min
- Prep: 2 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Easy
- Serves 3
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Put the water, rosehips and cinnamon in a and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the tea is deep red.
Strain through a fine sieve or a cloth (rosehips have tiny hairs inside), stir in honey and serve hot in glasses.
Kitchen notes
Always strain through a fine sieve or cloth. The hairs inside rosehips can irritate the throat.
Rosehip tea bags are the easiest option in Pakistan and are sold in many supermarkets and online.
If you can't find rosehips, dried hibiscus (gurhal) makes a similar ruby, tangy tea.
A winter fruit tea
In the Anatolian countryside, families pick rosehips from wild rose bushes in autumn, dry them in the sun, and use them through the winter for tea, jam and pekmez. Today kuşburnu tea bags are on every supermarket shelf in Turkey, but the loose, simmered version has a deeper colour and taste.
Simmer, then strain well
Unlike delicate flowers, rosehips are tough fruits, so they need a gentle simmer rather than just steeping. Crushing them lightly first helps them release colour. Strain carefully: rosehips have fine hairs around their seeds, which should never end up in the glass.
Pakistani notes
Rosehip tea bags are the easiest way to make this in Pakistan. Loose dried rosehips are sold by some herbal shops and online. Dried hibiscus flowers (gurhal), sold by pansari shops, give a similar ruby colour and tartness if you can’t find rosehips.
Serving
Serve hot in tulip glasses with honey, alongside a slice of revani or a few dried apricots. It’s a beautiful colour to serve to guests in winter.
Questions people ask
Does it really contain vitamin C?
Fresh rosehips are known for their high vitamin C content. Some is lost in drying and brewing, but the tea still contains some.
Can I drink it cold?
Yes. Chilled with a little honey and ice, it makes a refreshing summer drink.
Is it caffeine-free?
Yes.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 30
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 8 g
