Turkish coffee

Turkish coffee – what is it?

At the beginning, it should be noted that Turkish coffee is not a type, but a method of brewing coffee a downright ritual method with a tradition dating back several hundred years. The first mention of it comes from the 15th century in Yemen. Then, this method of making coffee spread to the northwest, and finally reached Turkey in the 16th century thanks to a Yemeni governor or, depending on the version of history, two Syrians who wanted to open cafes in Istanbul modeled on Yemeni ones. In Turkey, coffee quickly gained many fans, and a special profession was even created whose duties included only making coffee. Turkish coffee is strong and intense, and its taste persists even while drinking, because grounds remain at the bottom of the vessel, enhancing the aroma. It is an inseparable element of Turkish social gatherings, as well as important celebrations such as engagements, weddings and holidays. The secrets of its brewing are passed down from generation to generation in families. No wonder this unique tradition of brewing and drinking coffee has even been included on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List!

How to brew Turkish coffee?

The essence of Turkish coffee is, first of all, the ritual of brewing it, and only then the drinking itself. To prepare coffee in this way, you need a traditional vessel called in Turkey coffee pot, and in Poland, a melting pot. It is a special vessel, made of copper or brass, resistant to high temperatures. It has a long handle and is quite narrow, which favors the formation of foam, which is mandatory in this case. The coffee we want to brew using this method must be fresh (preferably just before brewing) and very finely ground - its consistency should resemble flour. The next ingredients are very cold water and (optionally) sugar, vanilla, cinnamon or cardamom, which will emphasize its taste. All ingredients are placed in a crucible. It is important that spices and sugar are added to coffee before it is brewed. Then, mix the contents of the crucible and heat it over low heat, but do not allow it to boil. When the mixture is almost boiling, you should remove it from the heat for a while and then heat it again. These treatments cause foam to appear on top. The more times we repeat the entire process, the more foam will appear, and a the drink will be thicker, more intense and stronger. It is therefore recommended to boil the coffee three times. Before pouring the drink into a cup, wait until the grounds settle to the bottom. The strong aroma of coffee can possibly be softened with a little milk, but this is not traditionally practiced or accepted. Turkish coffee can be compared to Italian espresso, so it is recommended to serve it in small cups with a glass of water. Traditional Turkish coffee serving cups (to have lowered) are often small works of art, richly decorated with motifs referring to the country's culture. They also have thick walls to keep the drink warm.

Why is it worth drinking Turkish coffee?

Turkish coffee undeniably has an incredibly intense aroma. Therefore, the caffeine content is also high. This has a positive effect on our concentration, memory and reduces fatigue. Turkish-brewed coffee also has a high concentration of chlorogenic acids, which have a positive effect on blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels. The substances it contains also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, and therefore protect us against various types of neurological diseases. By acting as an antioxidant, this drink regulates the appropriate level of free radicals in the body and helps maintain a slim figure. By adding cardamom or cinnamon to Turkish coffee, we also gain some benefits for our body.

Reading tea leaves

The coffee grounds remaining at the bottom of the cup after drinking can be used for tasseomancy, i.e. reading tea leaves. To form a symbol that will be interpreted later, the empty cup should be turned over three times and then placed upside down on a saucer. When we turn it back, the grounds are ready - we can read the future from them. Reading symbols is very individualized and similar to St. Andrew's Day wax reading - the most important thing is the first thought, what the formed shape reminds us of.

Our coffees are perfect for Turkish brewing