Do you want to know some astonishing Turkish coffee traditions and culture? Have a look at this article to know more and for everything else in general or specific about Turkish coffee you can visit our coffee blog.
Turkish coffee history…
It is about its strong body, delicious flavor, and long-lasting aroma in a cup of steaming hot Turkish coffee combined with a great company and lovely conversations that make it an indispensable moment for everyone. As this Turkish proverb emphasizes, a single cup of coffee is remembered for forty years and this has to do with the positive thoughts and energy you get from that moment that lasts for a long time.
”Turk Kahvesi” is how Turkish coffee is locally known in Turkey. It was its unique brewing and preparation that named it Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee differs from all types of other coffees because of its highest quality and healthy composition . It is made from high quality roasted arabica coffee beans, carefully blended and finely ground.
Turkish coffee history starts with the introduction of the coffee beans in the 1540 by Ozdemir Pasha to Sultan Suleiman palace. The cuisine staff tried to find the best method for preparing it and serving to Suleiman. Firstly, they grounded roasted coffee beans in mortars and then boiled the coffee powder with water in a special coffee pot called Cezve.
It was a big hit since at the first try, and because of the unique brewing and preparation they made to it, it was called Turkish coffee. This drink become the favorite beverage of the elite in the palace. Turkish coffee started to be widely known and spread in many different countries. It became an integral part of the culture in the whole region.
What to know about Turkish coffee culture?
- Turkish coffee is part of UNESCO
Did you know that? Turkish coffee is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Turkey confirmed by UNESCO in 2013. Its special preparation, brewing techniques, and rich communal culture made it worthy of being inscribed on Unesco’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2013. As part of Turkish coffee traditions is also the symbol of hospitality and friendship with locals meeting at coffeehouses or with everyone else you like to share your Turkish coffee. It was also an important factor in its inscription, the beverage’s importance in social occasions with coffee being served during holidays and engagement ceremonies.
- This type of coffee originated from Ethiopia, in Yemen.
Turkish coffee was first brewed in Southern Ethiopia, eventually being taken back to Istanbul in the early 16th century. Ethiopia is the place where coffee originates and firstly Turkish coffee was brewed using the raw fruits of the coffee tree, because the use of grounded and roasted coffee came later on. It was Ozdemir who discovered a new type of beverage that time when he was in Yemen, and brought it to Turkey.
- Turkish coffee is a method of preparing unfiltered coffee, not a kind of coffee
The first step of preparing a Turkish coffee is finding the perfect coffee beans. Arabica beans are known for having more complex flavors, but those flavors are also more delicate and susceptible to break down than their robusta counterparts when subjected to direct heat. These beans must be ground extraordinarily fine to make a traditionally delicious Turkish coffee.
- It plays an essential role in Turkish marriages and weddings
There is a tradition where the bridegroom’s parents must visit the young girl’s family to ask for the bride’s hand in marriage. During the visit, the bride must prepare and serve Turkish coffee to the guests. Usually in these cases the bride-to-be puts salt instead of sugar for the groom, inside the coffee to test his character.
- Turkish coffee also is used as a fortune teller
Turkish coffee is the only coffee you can use for fortune telling. The grounds left in the empty cup of a Turkish coffee are often used to tell a person’s fortune. This is the loveliest part for those who love having an entertaining time together or spending their time in predicting what the future ”has predicted” for them . As part of Turkish coffee traditions and culture, this is very interesting for the majority of people who hear this for the first time.
- If your Turkish coffee is served with delights , (especially Lokum), always eat it
Part of Turkish coffee traditions and culture is the part of serving Turkish coffee with delights. They always serve it with water and delights, and what you perhaps don’t know is that when they serve it with a Lokum, you have to eat it or at least you should take it with you. If you leave it there then somehow you offend the owner of the house.
Do you know which is the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee for Turkish coffee, filtered coffee, espresso, instant coffee, and tea?
Turkish Coffee – 65 ml (one cup) 60 mg Caffeine
Espresso Coffee – 60 ml (one cup) 100 mg Caffeine
Instant Coffee – 150 ml (one cup) 65-100 mg Caffeine
Filter Coffee – 150 ml (one cup) 115-175 mg Caffeine
Tea – 150 ml (one cup) 70 mg Caffeine
Some interesting facts about Turkish coffee?
- The oldest brewing method of coffee in the whole world
- The first “coffee shop” in Istanbul was established in 1555
- Contains loads of beneficial compounds in one cup of coffee
- It is economical and practical
- Turkish Coffee is consumed at specific times of day
- Her flavor and aroma are indispensable because of its thick consistency
- The only coffee that can be boiled
- Consists of coffee, grounds, and foam
- It is the only coffee that can predict your future
- It is softer, thicker, and more aromatic than any other coffee
- Has less Caffeine in one serving than any other type of coffee which makes you drink more than one or two and don’t harm you
- You do not need to add sugar because it is added during preparation
- Does not cause bloating because it is served in small portions
- Remains on the palate longer than other coffees
- Is unique because of the grounds
