As Turkish Proverb says: “Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love.”
The introduction of the Turkish coffee dates back to the sixteenth century; introduced by the then Ottoman Governor of Yemen – Ozdemir Pasha to the Sultan Suleiman The Magnificent. The new beverage drink impressed the Sultan so much that he gave the Royal Seal of approval. Also, there is another story behind the introduction of the Turkish coffee. It says that two Syrian traders; “Hakam” and “Shams” wish to trade the coffee between Turkey and Syria. So, the two traders opened a shop to introduce their coffee brand in Turkey. However, the beverage entered the Ottoman Palace and was entitled as “Black Drink”. Thus, the Turkish coffee spread all around Turkey as Royal Drink and became famous from then on.
Preparation of Turkish Coffee:
Turkish Coffee is prepared in “CEZVE”, a copper bowl which is long and narrow in shape connected with a long handle made of wood or copper. Usually, two table spoons of coffee are mixed well with water for each cup and then made it to boil. Sugar is not allowed to be added once the coffee gets boiled. So, if you prefer to add sugar to the coffee, it is advised to add one cube or two cubes of sugar before it gets boiled. Once the coffee boils, allow the foam to rise and mount. Then it should be poured directly into the cup. Traditionally, Turkish coffee without foam is unacceptable. Thus, the coffee would not be considered as Turkish without half to one centimeter of foam. Usually, the coffee is been served with a glass of water and something sweet, preferably Turkish Delight. The most famous and popular Turkish coffees are Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, Nuri Toplar, Mandabatmaz, Osso Ottoman Coffee, Mahmood, Selamlique, Ozerlat, Kahve Dunyasi, Hisae Kahve, Kervansaray, Hafiz, Mustafa.
Health Benefits of Turkish Coffee:
There
are so many health benefits for Turkish Coffee. It helps to balance the cholesterol
level in the blood, prevents majority of heart diseases and are very effective
on the digestive systems. Turkish coffee is very useful for correcting the
bowel movements, preventing serious disease like cancer, increases attention
and clearing mind, good for headache and bone pain, for weight loss, for
burning fat, reduces risk of stroke, reduces risk of Parkinson’s diseases.
However, too much consumption of Turkish coffee is very harmful. When it is
consumed more than three times in a day, it can cause heart disorder, blood
pressure problems, ulcers, increases risk of migraines. So, it is advised to
consume Turkish coffee in a moderate way.
Turkish Coffee in Social Scenario:
Turkish
Coffee is not only considered as a beverage but also a communal practice that
brings together cultural spaces, social values and beliefs with a context of socialization
process. This kind of socialization can be traced back to the opening of the
first coffee house at Istanbul in early centuries. These coffee houses were the
places where people drink coffee, share news, read books and socialize. This
tradition itself is a symbol of hospitality, friendship, harmony, delicacy and entertainment.
As the proverb says; “The memory of a cup of coffee lasts for forty years”.
Turkish
coffee culture and tradition promotes respect for cultural diversity and human
creativity since values and rituals surrounding the tradition are open to all
individuals. Turkish coffee entered the UNESCO list of cultural heritage in
2013 for its uniqueness in the way it served, its preparation and its community
culture. It is also the symbol of hospitality and friendship in Turkey.