Why is Turkish Coffee So Famous?

Turkey is famous for its incredible array of food and drink, but perhaps nothing is quite as legendary as a cup of rich, dark, fragrant Turkish coffee. In fact, it’s such a part of life in Turkey, that in 2013, UNESCO added Turkish coffee to their intangible heritage list. Here to tell us a little bit about why this drink is such an integral part of Turkish culture is Neslihan, a long-time local tour guide in Istanbul.

Turkish Coffee Culture

Turkey is famous for its street foods and drinks, but coffee is not simply a drink for Turkish people. It is also a big part of our culture.

Here, people drink coffee when they want to share their problems and happiness with their friends. We believe it should always be shared with people you can trust, because after drinking coffee, you need to keep this friendship with them for at least forty years, as long as the memory of the coffee lingers, is what an old Turkish proverb says.

When did the Turks start drinking coffee?

Legend has it that a shepherd from Ethiopia realized something interesting way back in the 8th century. After his goats had eaten certain colorful berries, they became as energetic as kids. Gradually, knowledge of these energizing berries spread, and the first coffee plants started being cultivated across the Arabian peninsula. However, Turkish people didn't have any idea about coffee until the 16th century.

It is believed that a statesman coming from Yemen brought coffee beans to the Ottoman Empire. Then suddenly, the “black drink” became the most favorite drink of Ottomans, and coffee houses sprang up to specially prepare the dark grounds in boiling water. After that, the Turks introduced coffee to all of Europe, where it remains a part of many cultures throughout the continent.

How to cook Turkish Coffee

Turkish People have their own special way to cook coffee that doesn’t look anything like your coffee makers at home! They use "cezve" which is a special copper pot for cooking coffee. After they put two tea spoons of coffee to cezve, they add one cup of water. Then they stir it with a wooden spoon. The wooden spoon is believed to keep the luscious taste and marvellous smell of the coffee intact. They prepare a place of warm sand or warm coal to cook it slowly. When it boils, they pour the coffee into special coffee cups to drink.

While ordering coffee at a cafe, state your sugar preference because they add it during brewing. “Az sekerli” means just a little sugar, “Orta” is medium, while “sekerli” means lots.

Turkish Coffee Traditions

Maybe the most enjoyable part of drinking Turkish coffee is the fortune telling. In Turkey, after people drink the coffee, they put the coffee plate on the coffee cup and turn it upside down. And they say: "Neyse halim, çıksın falım" which means, "Let whatever my state is appear in my fortune." Then they wait until the coffee cup gets cold. When it is ready, they take the cup and make up stories with the help of the shapes revealed inside the cup. This is the best way of motivating your sad friends.Another tradition Turks have about coffee is related to marriage. In Turkish culture, there is a coffee ceremony as the very first step of marriage.

Arranged marriages were common in society during the Ottoman Era. When a man wanted to get married with a particular woman, he had to introduce his family to her family. Often this would be the first time the woman would have laid eyes on the prospective husband. Legend has it that if she liked the look of him, she cooked the coffee with sugar. However, if she didn’t, she cooked it with salt. It was the way to show her desire to marry him.The coffee ceremony tradition still exists today, and ladies serve their salty coffees to the groom as a joke during the family visit. He has to drink the whole cup without making a face, before receiving her family’s blessing.

The best places to drink Turkish Coffee in Istanbul

Almost all cafes and restaurants serve Turkish Coffee in Istanbul, but some places are extra special with their Turkish Coffee. These are my favourites:

1. Pierre Loti Cafe. Pierre Loti Hill is one of the best places to drink Turkish Coffee with its wonderful “Golden Horn” view.

2. Hazza Pulo. Hazza Pulo Passage is a beautiful, silent corner in Beyoğlu district. And you should try their Turkish Coffee with terebinth.

3. Fazıl Bey'in Türk Kahvesi. “Kadıköy Fazıl Bey'in Türk Kahvesi” is in the center of Kadıköy. When you enter the Café, you will lose yourself with the smell of Coffee.

4. Şark Kahvesi. Şark Kahvesi is in the heart of the Grand Bazaar. When you drink your Coffee, you can also watch the people bargaining in the bazaar.

Before you leave Istanbul, you should be sure to try Turkish Coffee! I am sure you will also find someone to read your coffee and tell your fortune...maybe a local guide.