An extremely popular beverage, Turkish coffee holds an important place in Turkish culture. The beverage is so significant that, in 2013, UNESCO designated December 5th as the worldwide Turkish Coffee Day. Turkish coffee holds a special place in traditional Turkish culture. The meticulous brewing technique of the coffee, its aromatic flavour, its distinctive frothy surface, and its presentation are invaluable elements of Turkish hospitality and companionship. Of Turkish coffee, it is said that “A coffee has a memory of forty years” – a testament to the beverage’s integral role in daily life and friendship in Türkiye.
Turkish coffee bewitches coffee enthusiasts with its aroma and velvety foam as well as its stylish presentations. Also known for its mind-opening and energizing properties, Turkish coffee was included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013 due to its unique taste and traditional value. December 5, the date of Turkish Coffee’s registration on the UNESCO list, is celebrated as ‘World Turkish Coffee Day.
A consistently unique flavour and a centuries-old cooking technique
Coffee first arrived in Türkiye via Yemen, during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566). Around the middle of the 16th century, public coffeehouses began opening in İstanbul, bringing the increasingly popular beverage to a wider audience. As the enjoyment of Turkish coffee came into vogue in the region and beyond, merchants began trading coffee beans across borders. Thus, Turkish coffee, known for its robust taste and appealing ceremony, became the star attraction at coffee houses throughout Europe.
The most important feature differentiating Turkish coffee from other types of coffee is the fineness of the grind. The beans are ground into a powder, then cooked slowly in boiling water and served. This method results in a layer of powder sinking to the bottom of the cup. In addition, the consistency of its brewing method distinguishes Turkish coffee from other types of coffee beverages; unlike European coffee, the preparation of Turkish coffee has remained the same for centuries. Another unique component of Turkish coffee is its presentation. Turkish coffee is served in tiny cups, accompanied by a glass of water and a piece of Turkish delight. The water refreshes the palate and accentuates the coffee flavour while the candy sweetens the tongue.
Also, an integral part of social life and traditions
Turkish coffee is a key element of socializing and culture in Türkiye. For example, coffee is always served after a meal. It is an integral part of conversations with friends; when entertaining at home, the host will ask the guests if they wish to drink coffee first. When a prospective groom visits the bride’s house to ask for her hand in marriage, the bride-to-be makes Turkish coffee for her suitor and his family. Legend has it that if she does not wish to marry her suitor, she uses salt instead of sugar in the coffee.
And there is also a tradition of ‘reading the grounds’ which is known as ‘coffee fortune-telling’: after drinking the coffee, the cup is placed upside down on the saucer and the shapes formed by the grounds are interpreted. This lovely and fanciful tradition is also a wonderful part of Turkish culture.
While Turkish coffee is always a special occasion, there is a celebration of this frothy, fragrant beverage on December 5th on the occasion of World Turkish Coffee Day!
