If you love strong coffee, consider making Turkish coffee! A rich, concentrated, and somewhat bitter drink, it's made from unfiltered coffee.
Turkish coffee is also one of the oldest methods for making coffee, dating back to 1555. What makes if so different?
Unlike America's cup of Joe, the grounds for Turkish coffee are extremely fine and brewed in water instead of drip style. That's why it's very concentrated.
And that's great for the strong coffee lover or the espresso lover!
Origins of Turkish-Made Coffee
Coffee beans were introduced in Istanbul by the Ottoman Governor of Yemen. Instead of boiling coffee leaves the way the Ethiopians did, the Turks roasted their beans over an open fire, ground, then cooked them with water over charcoal fire ashes.
Today, Turkish coffee has retained that same bold, rich flavor, staying true to its original roots. And similar to American customs, coffee in Turkey is often viewed as a symbol of hospitality, served among friends as well as important social gatherings.
How to Make Turkish Coffee
Making Turkish coffee is very simple. You just need a spoon, Turkish coffee cups, and a cezve, a wide-bottom cup usually made of copper.
Ingredients
Cold, preferably filtered, water
Ground Turkish coffee
Sugar, optional. This is added while cooking
Cooking Method
Measure the coffee the water and pour it into the cezve.
Add 1 teaspoon coffee per cup (6g). Add sugar, if desired.
Slowly heat, stirring well, until the coffee starts to foam.
Pour a little of the foam into each cup, but do it gently.
Bring the coffee to another boil, then fill each cup.
Serving Turkish Coffee
You want to serve it hot with the natural foam that formed from boiling. Additionally, Turkish coffee is always served with a glass of water. This is to prepare the palate to appreciate the rich coffee.
What to Pair with It
The Turks pair strong coffee with something sweet, usually a Turkish delicacy. At the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, there is a private Baklava room that has more than 15 delicacies to be served with Turkish coffee!
Another Unusual Turkish Coffee Tradition
How about coffee and fortune telling? Called tasseography, it's a popular practice with coffee drinking.
Once you're finished with your coffee, there is a thick layer of grounds at the bottom of your cup. The shapes left by the grounds represent the past and the future for the drinker.
Close the cup with the saucer. Then swirl it. Make a wish and turn it back over. Once the cup has cooled, get a fortune teller, or Falci, to interpret the shapes of the grounds.
Now that's an unusual way to drink coffee!
The Coffee Cave doesn't serve Turkish coffee but we've got gourmet coffee by the cup or by the pound. Stop in and taste a cup today!