Now, here’s the thing: Turkish coffee isn’t your typical joe. Trust me, if you try to drink it like ordinary coffee, you can wind up with a mouth full of grounds. It’s not something you just chug as you’re rushing out the door. Not the best, is it? You’re not alone if you’ve ever pondered how to drink Turkish coffee. It has a certain ritual, a feel, if you will, and to be honest? That’s one of the things that makes it so unique. This tutorial will help you drink it the right way—slowly, correctly, and without, you know… whether you’re tasting it for the first time or simply don’t want to appear like a complete idiot in front of your Turkish consuming the sludge at the bottom. Let’s get started!
What Is Turkish Coffee, Anyway?
Let’s take a step back and discuss what Turkish coffee is before we discuss how to drink it. It isn’t brewed the same manner as regular drip coffee. Instead, in a little pot known as a cezve (pronounced jezz-veh, sort of), extremely finely ground coffee beans—we’re talking powder-like fine—are cooked with water and occasionally sugar.
Not even a filter. No expensive espresso makers. Just classic coffee that has been made for ages and is strong and rich. The grinds do really sink to the bottom of the cup. That is quite typical.
Step 1: Don’t Stir It.
Okay, so this is where most folks make mistakes. Your initial reaction may be to mix the coffee when it is presented to you in a little cup, known as a fincan, all warm and fragrant. To change it up, you know? Don’t. Don’t, please.
If you stir it, you will wind up drinking the coffee grounds, which are meant to sink to the bottom. which isn’t enjoyable. So, fight the temptation.
To ensure that everything settles peacefully at the bottom, simply let it cool for a bit after pouring.
Step 2: Sip Slowly, Like, Really Slowly
Turkish coffee should not be consumed quickly. This isn’t the iced latte you get in the drive-through. It resembles an experience more.
Savor the rich, powerful flavor with tiny swallows. It’s smooth as well as strong—like, strong enough to keep you up for hours. If the flavor is different from your typical espresso, don’t be shocked. The charm is in that!
Additionally, because it is unfiltered, you will hit the muddy bottom if you drink too quickly or too deeply. Don’t do that.
Step 3: Don’t Finish It All the Way
At first, this phase may seem a little strange. It’s considered courteous in most cultures where coffee is consumed to complete your cup.
However, you are not supposed to complete Turkish coffee. The final portion of the cup is simply a viscous mixture of coffee grinds and should not be eaten.
You’ll know it’s time when the bottom third of the cup begins to taste a little grainy. You’re finished!
Step 4: Pair It With Something Sweet
Turkish coffee is frequently served with a square of chocolate, a piece of Turkish pleasure (lokum), or sometimes even a small cookie. It’s not merely for show.
Between sips, a sweet bite beautifully balances the flavor of Turkish coffee, which is powerful and occasionally little bitter. It also simply gives the whole thing a more upscale feel. it is enjoyable, let’s face it.
Step 5: Chat, Relax, Make It a Moment
Here’s something crucial: Turkish coffee is about more than just sipping coffee; it’s about making connections. People don’t drink it in a hurry or when multitasking. It is intended to be discussed in a leisurely or even in-depth conversation.
Sitting down with friends and just talking is a regular practice in Turkey and other countries where this coffee style is popular. For one hour. holding little coffee mugs. It’s rather beautiful.
Take your time, then. Take a sip. Speak. Hold on. Do it again.
Bonus: Coffee Fortune Reading
Now for the exciting part. You may truly get your fortune told after you’ve finished drinking your coffee and left that small amount of sludge at the bottom of your cup. Indeed, it is true.
This is how it operates:
- Put a tiny saucer on top of your cup.
- Turn everything upside down.
- Allow it to cool.
- After it cools, the coffee grounds will be examined by someone (ideally a talented fortune reader) to seek for patterns.
It is said to be able to disclose anything from trip plans to hints about one’s romantic life. Is it authentic? Who knows? But it’s undoubtedly enjoyable.
Things NOT To Do When Drinking Turkish Coffee
Here are a few no-nos to refresh your memory:
- Avoid agitating the coffee.
- Don’t consume it too quickly.
- Avoid drinking the bottom of the container.
- Don’t think of it like your typical coffee to-go in the morning.
And truthfully? Avoid overanalyzing it. The mood is what Turkish coffee is all about. It turns into one of those routines you genuinely look forward to once you get the hang of it.
Should You Add Sugar or Milk?
Alright, a short tip: sugar is added to Turkish coffee as it is brewing. Therefore, you must decide how sweet you want it to be before it is produced. Therefore, whether placing your order or preparing it at home, you must determine whether you want:
- Sade: No sweets
- Az şekerli: A tiny bit of sweetness
- Orta Sekerli: Moderately sweet
- Sweet Şekerli
What about milk? No. Black coffee is the customary serving for Turkish coffee. No cream, no milk. Simply the purest type of robust, rich coffee flavor.
Final Sip (See What I Did There?)
To sum up, it’s not hard to learn how to drink Turkish coffee, but it is different. It’s about slowing down, enjoying every drink, and perhaps even getting a glimpse of the future with a little fortune-telling fun. It’s not just about coffee.
You now know what to do—and what not to do—whether you’re visiting Istanbul or simply trying it out at your neighborhood café. So you won’t freak out the next time that little cup is handed to you. You’ll drink like an expert and most likely make a few others smile in the process.
Let’s toast! Or Afiyet Olsun, if I may!