Turkish Coffee is famous around the world for it’s unique preparation and taste. The thick, black texture and strong bitter flavour have garnered it a cult following. From the tradition of coffee ground fortune-telling to the strict historical standards on its preparation, Turkish coffee is surrounded by a air of mystique.
The origins of turkish Coffee
There is no academic consensus on the origin of what we call Turkish coffee. We know the coffee used in this style of brewing was exclusively sourced from Yemen, starting in the 16th century. Coffee became popular throughout the Muslim world because of its use by Sufi mystics, who would use it to fuel themselves through their nightly vigils.
However it came to the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Türkiye), it’s in the coffeehouses and palace kitchens of Istanbul that Turkish coffee became what it is today. The drink was so loved by the Ottomans that by the 18th century palace kitchens hired people whose only purpose was to prepare coffee. Outside of the palaces, coffeehouses sprang up throughout the Middle East and Europe, serving patrons cups of the thick, black liquid.
How is it brewed ?
Turkish coffee differs from other styles in its unique preparation. Rather than brewing coffee grounds and filtering them, the coffee brewed entirely in a single pot. Known as a cevze, these small copper pots feature a long handle. The coffee grounds are added directly to the cup with water, and the mixture is brought to a boil over a hot pan of sand. As soon as the coffee froths up, it is poured into small cups. This process is repeated twice until the pot is empty, at which point the thick, bitter brew can be enjoyed.
This style of coffee is very finely ground, and medium roast. The beans are generally arabica, although sometimes robusta or a blend of both varieties is used.
coffee in Turkish Culture
Turkish coffee is tremendously important in Turkish culture. The preparation of coffee is a core part of marriage ceremonies. There is also a old tradition of fortune-telling based on the coffee grounds. When someone finishes a cup, they place a saucer on top and swirl the cup. The cup is then left to rest upside-down on the saucers for a couple of minutes. The fortune-teller will then observe the patterns left by the grounds and divine a message.
