Knowing Turkish coffee

A famous Turkish proverb says that coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love.

The Arabic coffee, also known as Turkish coffee differs from the others by its technique of roasting and grinding to the point of powder consistency. The beans are boiled, becoming a highly concentrated drink with a delicate foam that can reveal a very special flavor. Is usually taken at extremely hot temperatures and is usually served with a glass of cold water to freshen the mouth. This drink is common in the Middle East, North Africa and the Balkans. This preparation method probably originated in the city of Damascus, has been extended and popularized during the Ottoman Empire, hence the current name of Turkish coffee.

The Turks introduced coffee to Europe, where for a long time was also prepared in this way and which also quickly incorporated into the cultural, political and social life of the period through the first cafes in the late seventeenth century.

Coffee became the center of political and social interaction of the Ottoman Empire, taking part in ceremonies of betrothal in gender customs, political, entertainment and prayer. Coffee houses in the sixteenth century also became social institutions meeting. Currently the coffee remains an integral part of Turkish culture while not prevalent rituals of old. The method of preparation continues and exist in the modern market models of machines specially designed to make this traditional coffee. Compared with other multiple variants, Turkish coffee is more consistent, more intensive and more aromatic flavor. It is the only coffee that is taken with the dregs.

Generally Turkish coffee is taken after breakfast. In Turkish breakfast means “kahvaltı”, is the unification of the two words “kahve “and” altı " they mean "under the coffee." As outlined in this word, it is necessary that the stomach is full of coffee below.

Another curious aspect of Turkish coffee is predicting the future by looking coffee grounds. This practice is common in some social centers where people go to drink a coffee and end waiting to be read to your destination depending on how the sediment taken. This is a spiritual practice that mixes with reality and has become a way to earn money.

Although the taste and presentation of Turkish coffee and Colombian is different, because coffee Colombia is less strong and is served without the sludge, an aspect if final and is so much in this country as in mine, coffee drunk as synonymous with union, friendship. This drink is offered to guests, friends and outsiders looking to share, it is said that a cup of coffee has 40 years of friendship. So do not feel strange if the first thing they offer to you on Turkish lands is a coffee, on the contrary thank who are giving a cup of "trust and friendship".