Drinking so-called Turkish coffee is common in Polish homes. Even today, tall glasses with a metal holder, once intended for drinking it, can be found in kitchens and cupboards. However, brewing the beverage in this way, known in Poland, has almost nothing in common with how it is made in Turkey. Where did Turkish coffee come from? How to brew it correctly? Can the sweetness of coffee with a specific taste be a sign of love?
Turkish coffee on European tables
Despite appearances, Turkish coffee does not come from Turkey. Although it has become a national drink there, its roots go back to the Middle Ages in the Arab countries of the Middle East – specifically Yemen. From there it traveled to Egypt and only then to Turkey. With the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, which at one time was one of the most powerful empires in the world, Turkish coffee reached other European tables.
In Turkey itself, Turkish coffee, brewed in the traditional way, is an important element of everyday life. A few years ago, this important cultural element was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It is also associated with beautiful customs. Which of them are worth knowing? How to brew this drink and which coffee glasses to choose for Turkish coffee?
Love sweet as coffee
What makes Turkish coffee unique is its specific aroma and very sweet taste. Turks love drinks and food with a lot of sugar or honey, the quintessence of which are halva and baklava, among others. One of the wedding traditions of this country also combines sweetness with the dark brew.
When a potential fiancé arrives at his beloved's home, he sits at the table in anticipation and excitement. His destiny is to be revealed by the coffee glass that the girl prepares. The more sugar she puts in while brewing the drink, the more willing she is to marry. If the coffee is bitter, the boy knows he has nothing to count on. He certainly won't find it easy to swallow – Turkish coffee, especially without sugar, tastes completely different from what is commonly served in most European cafes.
Specific taste from Turkey
When buying Turkish coffee for the first time – and you can find it not only in Turkey itself, but it is also common in Greece and the Balkans, mainly in Albania – you can be very surprised! The saying that it must be “black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love” takes on a whole new dimension in its case! It is very thick – much more so than the smallest espresso – you can feel the grounds in it. The taste itself is far from aromas of chocolate, tobacco or fruit and can be regulated by the amount of sugar in the brew. There can be a lot of it – then sweetness becomes the most dominant sensation when consuming Turkish coffee.
There are three types of "Kahve": sade, meaning bitter, orta – moderately sweet and sekerii – very sweet. After consuming the drink, you can drink a glass of water. During many Turkish gatherings, the grounds remaining at the bottom are used… for fortune-telling. How to brew this coffee at home?
Brewing Turkish coffee
Polish Turkish coffee is grounds poured with boiling water. However, the original preparation of this drink looks completely different in every respect! To make it as it is done in Turkey, you will need elegant coffee glasses or small cups, as well as glass for water. It is worth choosing vessels decorated with arabesque or geometric motifs from the local culture. To prepare traditional "Kahve", you also need very finely ground Arabica beans, a "Cezve" (or "djezva") pot with a long handle, preferably copper, cold water, sugar, and optionally spices.
In the simplest, homemade recipe for one person, put a teaspoon of coffee and sugar into the Cezve – you can add more or less – and, if desired, cinnamon or cardamom. Then, pour cold water over them, slightly more than what would fill all the coffee glasses or cups being served at that moment. The ingredients should be thoroughly mixed. Then the "Cezve" is placed on the heat. The drink should boil and rise 2-3 times, until a foam forms on top. The coffee can then be poured into the target vessels – it should not be sweetened further, and under no circumstances should milk be added.
Glassware for Turkish coffee
Espresso cups are perfect for serving Turkish coffee. It is important that tall glasses are placed next to them - water is additionally served with this type of coffee. It is essential to rinse the mouth after a brew full of grounds.
Instead of cups, you can also opt for modern double-walled coffee glasses. The vessels are made of blown borosilicate glass, which ensures their safe use when in contact with high-temperature liquids. Those with a maximum capacity of 60 ml will work perfectly.
Glasses for other coffees
Turkish coffee is extremely popular in Greece. It is used, among other things, to prepare frappe, which can be bought in every cafe in that country. A glass for iced coffee filled with foam, ice cubes, sugar, and Turkish brew is incredibly refreshing – perfect for the Mediterranean heat!
While on holiday in the Mediterranean basin – in the Balkans, Turkey, or Greece – in the evening you can reach for coffee… Irish style. Although it comes from the far north, it is the perfect way to relax after an adventurous day!