Coffee preparation is the process of turning coffee beans into a beverage. Coffee is usually brewed immediately before drinking.
Turkish coffee is a method of preparing coffee. Roasted and then finely ground coffee beans are boiled in a pot , usually with sugar, and served in a cup where the grounds are allowed to settle. At present, it is found in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, the Balkans, Bali, and Eastern Europe.
If you have been studying up on your coffee history, you will know that the Turkish culture played a big part of coffee’s past.
Turkish Coffee is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Turks confirmed by UNESCO.
Short history!
The earliest evidence of coffee drinking comes from 15th-century Yemen.By the late 15th century and early 16th century, coffee had spread to Cairo and Mecca. In the 1640s, the Ottoman chronicler İbrahim Pecevi reported the opening of the first coffeehouse in Constantinople.
“Until the year 962 (sc. AH, that is 1554-55 CE), in the High, God-Guarded city of Constantinople, as well as in Ottoman lands generally, coffee and coffeehouses did not exist. About that year, a fellow called Hâkem (Hakam) from Aleppo and a wag called Şems (Shams) from Damascus, came to the city: they each opened a large shop in the district called Tahtakale, and began to purvey coffee.”
This is the story of two Syrian traders who brought the first coffee beans to Istanbul in 1555.
Before the drink was invented, the berries of the plant were crushed, mixed with fat, then consumed. Later on, the beans were boiled and the “drink” of coffee was invented by Arabs. This drink became a large part of the Turkish culture and still remains so today. In the history books, you may read about elaborate coffee ceremonies, where the Sultans of Turkey were served coffee by “kahveciusta,” royal coffee makers and a large posse of servants. Would you even believe that men used women’s “coffee making skills” as criteria in choosing a good wife. Dating back to the 16th century, Turkish coffee preparation was invented long before the times of modern brewing methods, but has survived the test of time. People, still to this day, participate in this age old method of coffee preparation. You too, can easily prepare this dark, delectable brew, minus elaborate ceremony and servants.
And this is materials for make a perfect turkish coffee…
The first and foremost important part of making Turkish Coffee is getting your hands on an Ibrik, this is the traditional pot, usually made of copper or brass. They are typically smaller on the top and wider on the bottom, and have a long handle. The next, and also extremely important ingredient to gather is ground coffee. It is crucial to ground the beans on the finest setting to insure that you have grounds that are “powdery” and almost moist to the touch. Most commercial grinders actually are equipped with a “Turkish” setting, which again, would be the finest setting (even finer than espresso, or Italian) You will also need a heat source, sugar, optional spices (cardamom, cinnamon, or all-spice ) and cold water.
Here is any easy method of making your own Turkish coffee:
1. Put the ground coffee powder (approximately one heaped teaspoon per small coffee cup) into a Ibrik. Add a small cup size of cold water for each cup of coffee you want to make.
2. Heat the brew on a low heat to allow the flavor to infuse and no stirring is necessary. When the coffee comes to the boil, remove the pot from the heat and let the froth reside a little, if there is a thick layer of foam at the top, it is a good sign.
3. Pour into the coffee cups (some use a tea strainer to reduce the sediment) and wait a minute for the grounds to settle. Add the amount of sugar you desire to take away the bitterness. Enjoy.
Tips
- Invest in a Turkish coffee mill and grind the coffee just before you make it – it makes a huge difference to the taste of Turkish coffee.
- Use milk (or cream,) instead of water if you would like a rich, creamy drink.
- The sugar ratio is about 1 teaspoon of sugar to every 2 teaspoons of coffee grounds. Unless you like your coffee really sweet.
Drinking
Turkish coffee is always served with a glass of water. You drink water first to cleanse your pallet!
Wait about half a minute or so to let the grinds settle to the bottom of your cup.
Find a comfortable spot in which to savor your delicious coffee and remember, drink this Turkish treat..sip by sip.
The Turkish coffee is also used for fortune telling, using the grounds left after drinking. The common method used is to turn the cup over on to the saucer to cool and the pattern that displays from the coffee grounds are used to fortune tell.
