Exploring Turkish coffee culture

Visiting a new country often means embracing its traditions, and food and drink are central to this experience in many cultures worldwide. Turkey’s coffee culture is a major draw for tourists. There are a whole host of traditions that surround the drink itself. Understanding these customs adds a deeper appreciation for this vital aspect of Turkish life.

The origins

Turkish coffee dates back to the 16th century, with its roots in the Ottoman Empire. It’s said that the Turkish Governor of Yemen first introduced it to the country’s elite.

‘Kahvehane’, or coffeehouses, became key social hubs during the Ottoman Empire, though authorities often shut them down during times of unrest to curb gatherings. Fortunately, coffeehouses remain a large part of socialising in everyday life.

The art of making Turkish coffee

Making a good cup of coffee here is considered an art form when done correctly – it needs to be small and rich. Alongside this hot drink, many tuck into sweets such as Turkish delight. 

To make it, you need a cezve (small pot) and ground coffee beans. Place the powder-fine ground coffee into the cezve and place it on top of a stove. You don’t need to filter it. Then, you pour it straight into the cup, which in this case is a porcelain cup called a Finjan. 

When drinking, you should sip it slowly to savour every mouthful. But first, drink some water to cleanse your palette. You can add additional steps to enjoy everything from foamy to sweet variations. Each region also tends to flavour its batches a little differently, whether with cardamon or honey.

Where to experience authentic coffee in Turkey

Turkey holidays offer an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s coffee at its most authentic. Look out for dedicated tours to learn more about this wonderful tradition or seek out some of the best coffeehouses for yourself. Some highly regarded spots include:

Istanbul

• Krea
• Good Coffee Roasting Co.
• Clean Cup
• Envai Coffee House
• Coffee Sapiens
• Spada Roastery & Coffee Shop

Izmir

• Coffeemamma Roastery & Barista Shop
• Fünf Coffee 
• The Leaf Coffee Shop
• Myth Coffee

Ankara

• Drupe Coffee & Stuff
• Bosco
• Prod Coffee & Roastery
• Hoopoe Coffee 

Cultural significance

There are many reasons why coffee is such a big part of Turkish culture. It represents hospitality and companionship, both of which are deep-rooted in its heritage. House guests are generally offered a cup when visiting someone’s home, for instance.

It also plays a big role in ceremonies and rituals, such as weddings. The bride-to-be serves coffee to their future groom, except they add salt rather than sugar. This represents the fact that marriage isn’t always as sweet as it appears. Some traditions also revolve around fortune-telling. After drinking it, you turn the cup and the leftover grounds form a pattern that can be interpreted.

Its cultural significance has resulted in it being listed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

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