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Turkish coffee has a rich cultural legacy and is brewed using a traditional and renowned process. It's the oldest way of brewing coffee in the world, dating back to the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century. Its special brewing method using a cezve, rather than the kind of bean used, is what makes this coffee unique.
Much finer than that used for espresso, the beans are crushed into an ultra-fine powder for this coffee preparation. This produces a brew that is flavourful but not as intense.
The first step in making traditional Turkish coffee is to put water and finely ground coffee in a "cezve." This little pot, which is usually made of copper, is necessary for the procedure. To get the distinctive froth in the coffee, the mixture is heated until it's hot but not boiling.
The History Of Turkish Coffee
Coffee was first brought to Istanbul in the sixteenth century, having originated in Ethiopia in the fourteenth. Suleiman the Magnificent received coffee beans from Özdemir Pasha, who introduced them to the Ottoman Empire. Turkish coffee was originally only made in copper pots over the fire in the Ottoman Palace.
It had gained popularity among the general public and had been used as a symbol in formal ceremonies by the 17th century. It also made its way to Europe through coffee shops started by ambassadors and traders, greatly influencing the continent's coffee culture. Turkish coffee was first served to the general public in 1555 when the first coffeehouse opened in Istanbul. It soon became the standard for get-togethers. People played chess and backgammon, appreciated poetry, and had intellectual conversations in coffee shops.
Turkish coffee was initially produced in the Ottoman palace and then from Istanbul's coffee shops; its fame swept across Europe. In Venice, the first coffee shop in Europe opened its doors in 1645. Following that, other coffee shops sprung up in London, Malta, and Paris.
How Is Turkish Coffee Served?
Turkish coffee is traditionally served in demitasse glasses, with the grounds carefully poured out to prevent overabundance. It may surprise you to hear that you don't really drink it like an espresso, and if you do, you'll probably down plenty of coffee grounds in the process, despite the little cups it comes in.
Turkish coffee is meant to be a slow experience that can be enjoyed with both new and old friends. It's typical to spend up to an hour sipping it, allowing the conversation to flow between the tiny, delicate sips. To balance off the powerful and pungent flavour of the coffee, you may typically anticipate being handed a glass of water along with a sweet Turkish delight.
Traditions Associated With Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is frequently incorporated into wedding customs. The bride is entrusted with preparing coffee for the guests during her pre-wedding visit from the groom's family to demonstrate her coffee-brewing abilities. Women may occasionally add a dash of salt to the coffee; if the groom drinks it all without feeling hesitant, it shows that he is a man and that he is committed to the marriage.
Reading coffee grinds is another custom connected to Turkish coffee. After the coffee is consumed, the cup is turned upside down onto a platter, and a fortune teller reads the grounds in an attempt to decipher hidden patterns and forecast the drinker's future. Reading your own cup is not customary since it may be misconstrued.
