Turkish coffee is a favorite among many coffee lovers all around the entire globe. The interesting part lies in the fact that the history of coffee and its origin takes us all the way to Istanbul. Coffee and Istanbul is a combination that has given birth to many a legend and history. There are anecdotes, interesting facts and myths too, associated with coffee and Istanbul. Let’s begin with exploring the origin if coffee as a part of human life.
The coffee plant is recorded to have been discovered first in Ethiopia in the 11th century. The coffee leaves were said to have magical medicinal properties and thus, were boiled in water and the resulting concoction was supposed to treat many ailments.
The Ottoman Governor of Yemen, Ozdemir Pasha, was the person, who introduced coffee to Istanbul. During this time, Istanbul was ruled by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Coffee used to be roasted in fire, grounded and boiled in water to make a strong cup of aromatic drink. The Ottoman palace even has a royal position for the Chief Coffee maker. Coffee was initially a pleasure confined to the privileged or the Royalty, but soon, it reached to entire Istanbul. General people started to purchase green coffee beans, roast them over the fire at home, ground them and boil them it in water to get an energizing and aromatic coffee treat.
Turkish coffee has a history, that takes us centuries back, but the flavor, the aroma and the zest still amazes all. Turkish coffee is prepared by roasting the coffee beans, grounding them into a fine powder and then boiling it in water in a boiling pot, called cezve. The coffee is then served in a cup, where the sediment or the dregs do settle down. The pot is to be chosen with diligence and care in order to make the coffee smell typically of Istanbul. If you want to treat yourself to a great cup of Turkish coffee, make sure you are choosing your cup well and have the coffee at a steaming hot temperature. In Istanbul, the hot coffee is often served with a glass of gold water so that you can refresh your mouth to taste the coffee better. So, while enjoying Turkish coffee, do it, the way the Turkish do.
