From the days of the Ottoman Empire to the present, coffee has played an important role in Turkish lifestyle and culture. The serving and drinking of coffee has had a profound effect on social and political interaction and customs. Although many of the more involved coffee rituals are no longer prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Turkish culture.

Coffee is believed to have been first brought to Istanbul in 1555 by Syrian traders. By the mid-17th century, Turkish coffee had become part of elaborate ceremonies involving the Ottoman court. Coffee makers, with the help of over forty assistants, ceremoniously prepared and served coffee for the sultan. Marriage customs and gender roles also became defined through coffee rituals. In Ottoman times, women received intensive training in the harem on the proper technique of preparing Turkish coffee. Prospective husbands would judge a woman's merits based on the taste of her coffee. Even today, when a young man's family calls to ask a girl's parents for her hand in marriage, a formal coffee is served even in the most modern households.

For both men and women, coffee has been at the centre of political and social interaction. During the Ottoman period, women socialized with each other over coffee and sweets. Men socialized in coffee houses to discuss politics and to play backgammon. In the early 16th century, these coffee houses played host to a new form of satirical political and social criticism called "shadow theatre" in which puppets were the main characters. Over the years, Turkish coffee houses have become social institutions providing a place to meet and talk. Today, Turkish coffee houses continue their role in society as a meeting place for both the cultured citizen and the inquisitive traveller. Istanbul offers many new and delightful cafe-restaurants where friends and family meet to discuss topics of the day over a cup of traditional Turkish coffee.

Derived from the Arabica bean, Turkish coffee is a very fine, powder-like grind. An aromatic spice called cardamom is sometimes added to the coffee while it is being ground. One can also boil whole seeds with the coffee and let them float to the top when served.

Turkish coffee is prepared in metal pots called cezve (jezve). These are small pots with long handles in varying sizes for 2 cups, 4 cups, etc. A coffee good enough for the true lover is cooked for 15-20 minutes over low flame, the coffee pot is watched carefully and withdrawn from the flame several times just before it boils over. A teaspoon of coffee goes into the coffeepot for each cup of coffee. Turkish coffee has various levels of sweetness ranging from bitter to very sweet. Because sugar is not added to the coffee after it is served, spoons are not needed. As the coffee begins to heat, it begins to foam. A rule of the Turkish coffee ceremony dictates that if the foam is absent from the surface of the coffee, the host loses face. Coffee is served in small delicate cups with tiny handles and they are usually hand painted with traditional designs.

Serving Turkish Coffee takes place in a ceremonial atmosphere. Coffee served without a glass of water accompanying it loses its flavour. Carrying a cup of Turkish Coffee requires expertise: serving a guest a cup of Turkish Coffee that has spilled over onto a plate is as much a disgrace to the coffee as it is to the guest. Another tradition, performed after the coffee has been drunk, is the reading of one's fortune in the coffee grounds: this is especially common among women. Because of the technical characteristics of its preparation and cooking, the aroma and flavour of Turkish Coffee are matchless. Rich in tradition and flavour, Turkish coffee remains a favourite today: not only in Turkey , but also among discriminating coffee drinkers around the world.

This is taken from an article from arisconstruction.com.

Turkish coffee truely has a wonderful taste. It is increadably strong though. I drank a tiny cup one morning and for the next 48 hours felt like I "had a bunny inside" ! It is great for the travellers who want to see as much as they can instead of "wasting" time on a good night sleep

espceiallly i need at night..
it warms my body and makes me awake all nighr.. than i sleep untill evening
but during driking u should be slow and u should again enjoy driking..

Trade marked Turkish coffee does not harm me much

But if it is hand-collected,you see the Hell on Earth!

Is very interesting but i didn't see to many Turkish people drinking coffee ...

Caj ok , but coffee not .

I like turkish tea very much. generally I love tea and I drink it a lot. I don't use sugar, so my first swalow of turkish tea was a bit shocking. When I get my tea and I didn't throw sugar cubes to a glass I noticed that my turkish friends were staring at me confused...and I really didn't why..unless I tried it Despite this first shoking experience I still don't use sugar drinking turkish tea. They say they don't understan me and şekersiz

sorry I send it by accident...
and tehy say that şekersiz çay is awful... What a paradox: according to turks turkish çay is the best in the world but without sugar is horrible

Yes I also don't take sugar in my Turkish tea and you are right Seticio, my turkish friends are horrified that I don't use sugar.

I like the coffee, but I always feel I must rush out and clean my teeth afterwards because they feel all muddy and horrible after drinking.

Here in US people like to drink american coffee not turkish. But in arabic, armenian, persian places you can have "real"coffee.
I did not know turkish people don't like tea without sugar.
I like turkish tea very much, and it has to be very strong, made fresh.
Russians call that tea "chefir".Actaully they can use the tea for few days.They add water and sometimes milk. And they drink with sugar.I think it is not tea.Tea has to be strong and without the sugar( it is my taste of course).
I have suggestion.Who doesn't like strong tea can use the leaves of tree "Yeny dunya". I got that from the Japanese book. It is very healthy.You can suggest that to people who has diabetes and other ailmentes.Just wash, cut , and boil.One leaf is enough for one cup of tea.It is very delicious and tastes like passion fruit.

I had turkish tea once and didnt add the sugar, I don't have sugar, but it was far too bitter for meand had to add half a cube, then the flavour was really nice.


But How comes turkish people don't strain the dregs from coffee, I was shocked when my friends mum just poured it in to a cup with all the grounds in, I had to wait ages for them to settle and then the coffee was cold.

Liz
xxx