The Traditional Turkish Coffee: History, Preparation, and Curiosities

Traditional Turkish coffee is not just a beverage; it’s a journey that engages all the senses, a ritual that carries the aroma of ancient traditions and the taste of a timeless culture.
It’s not simply about pouring a steaming cup: Turkish coffee is a celebration of the art of living, where every step of the preparation tells a story, every sip is an invitation to slow down, and every cup becomes a bridge between past and present.
Prepared with a fascinating technique, faithfully passed down from generation to generation, Turkish coffee is a symbol of hospitality, an art that the Turkish people master with great skill. From Istanbul to the remote Anatolian countryside, passing through Cappadocia, offering coffee is more than a gesture of courtesy: it’s a sign of respect and connection, an open door to the heart of the one who prepares it.
In this article, I will guide you through this captivating world by exploring the historical origins of Turkish coffee, revealing the secrets of a perfect preparation, so unique that it has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Get ready to discover a world of traditions, flavors, and stories that will captivate you sip after sip.

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The Centuries-Old History of Turkish Coffee
Coffee arrived in the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century through the port of Mokha in Yemen. Soon, the city of Istanbul became the beating heart of this culture, so much so that the first coffeehouses, known as kahvehane, began to appear along the Golden Horn. Here, men and women would meet to discuss politics, poetry, and philosophy while sipping coffee from small decorated cups.
The beverage was so appreciated that it became an integral part of wedding ceremonies: future brides would showcase their skills by preparing coffee for their future husbands and their families. Even today, offering coffee is a gesture of great courtesy and respect in Turkey.

The Traditional Preparation of Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee stands out for its preparation method, which is as much an art as it is a science. Here’s how it’s done:
Essential Tools
Turkish coffee is prepared using essential tools like a small pot with a long handle and a spout designed for precise pouring, called a “cezve,” finely ground coffee with a consistency similar to talcum powder, fresh water, and, optionally, sugar.
The Process
The process involves pouring cold water into the cezve, followed by one or two teaspoons of coffee per cup, and adding sugar if desired, before stirring. It’s important to note that Turkish coffee is not sweetened after preparation.
The mixture is then slowly heated over a low flame, without allowing it to come to a full boil. When a dense foam forms, the cezve is removed from the heat, and the coffee is poured into small cups. The foam is considered the secret to perfect Turkish coffee, and serving it without foam is regarded as a lack of attention to detail.
In Sand
The traditional method, however, involves brewing the beverage on hot sand. The process takes place on hot plates placed under the sand where the cezve is immersed. The coffee is brought to a boil, followed by the first foaming. The coffee must boil at least twice to achieve the right consistency. The final result can be enjoyed in its bitter version, sweetened, or enriched with spices, according to one’s taste.
How and Where to Enjoy Turkish Coffee
On the streets of Istanbul, there’s nothing better than sitting in a traditional café, perhaps with a view of the Bosphorus, and enjoying a real Turkish coffee. Historic venues like Mandabatmaz or Turk Kahvesi by Niyazi Bey offer an authentic atmosphere, serving coffee prepared according to traditional methods, accompanied by water and Turkish delight, as tradition dictates. The popularity of this latter café is so great that the street it is on has been nicknamed “Turkish Coffee Street.”
The coffee is often served with a glass of water to “cleanse the palate” and a sweet treat, like lokum or a square of baklava, to enhance the contrast between the bitter taste of the drink and the sweetness of the dessert.


Curiosities about Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is not just a beverage; it is truly a window into the culture and soul of a people. It is no surprise that this tradition has been elevated to the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, a recognition that celebrates not only its unique flavor but also the social and cultural importance it encompasses. Every sip of Turkish coffee tells a story: of hospitality, connections, and perhaps even a bit of magic.
Within the folds of this tradition lies a fascinating rite that has withstood the test of time: the reading of coffee grounds, or tasseography. After slowly savoring the coffee, the cup is turned upside down on a saucer, allowing the grounds to form mysterious shapes. For those who know how to read them, these signs can reveal glimpses of the future or provide comfort with words of hope. This ritual, still widely practiced, often becomes a moment of intimacy and sharing, especially among women, who gather to let themselves be carried away by curiosity and the allure of the unknown.
But Turkish coffee is not just about rituals; it is a gesture of love and respect. In Turkey, refusing a cup of coffee offered by someone is unthinkable, almost an offense. Accepting it, on the other hand, is a way to say “yes” to human connection, to the kindness of your host, and to a moment that goes far beyond simple tasting. Drinking coffee together is an invitation to slow down, to look each other in the eyes, and to create a lasting memory.
The Best Cup of Turkish Coffee I’ve Had
Although we were offered Turkish coffee several times during our week in Turkey and I enjoyed it many times, there is one moment I remember with a special warmth. Francesca and I were in Avanos, a small town in Cappadocia famous for its ceramics, and we had stopped in a shop to browse through handmade vases and cups.
The owner, an elderly artisan with bright eyes and hands marked by time, invited us to sit in his workshop.
With a smile that conveyed a warm welcome, he approached with a small copper cezve and began to prepare the coffee in front of us. He didn’t speak much English, and I didn’t know a single word of Turkish, but that silence was full of meaning. The slow gestures, the fresh water, the finely ground coffee, the foam that slowly rose as the mixture heated on the stove…
He handed us the cup, decorated with the traditional motifs of his shop, and motioned for us to taste it. The flavor was bold, strong, and incredibly rich, as if each sip contained the history of that place.
As we sipped, he tried to tell us, with his mix of words and gestures, that the coffee grounds could reveal the future. He turned my cup upside down on a saucer and, with a focused expression, began to read the shapes. His predictions were particularly accurate… as if he had known us for a lifetime. We were moved to tears, not so much because of the prediction, but because of that authentic moment, where a simple cup of coffee had become a connection between two worlds.
Since then, every time I savor a Turkish coffee, I can’t help but think back to that day and the warmth of that gesture.


Turkish Tea: The Other Side of Tradition
While Turkish coffee is the king of beverages for special moments, Turkish tea (çay) is the true star of everyday life. Served in small, transparent tulip-shaped glasses, Turkish tea is strong and intense, prepared with a double teapot (çaydanlık).
Tea is everywhere: in bazaars, parks, homes, and even on ferries crossing the Bosphorus. It is the essence of Turkish sociality, a symbol of friendship and sharing.
Coffee and tea in Turkey are not just beverages; they are true cultural experiences. While coffee invites you to reflect and enjoy a special moment, tea welcomes you into the vibrant daily life of the Turkish people.
Inside each cup of Turkish coffee, there’s a fragment of culture, a spark of humanity, and the flavor of an ancient tradition that continues to unite people. Whatever your choice, savoring these beverages means immersing yourself in the authentic soul of a land rich in history and traditions.
Have you tried Turkish coffee or tea? Share your experience in the comments and get inspired by this unique culture!
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