It's safe to say that traditional Turkish coffee is now almost everyone's favorite drink. The Syrians had brought the black bean to the country's capital in the mid-16th century and a veritable coffee boom quickly erupted in the palace. Coffee-making rituals were developed and competitions were organized in which the men had to decide which harem lady made the best coffee.
Today, coffee is part of the Turkish way of life and coffeehouses, called pastane, are still social gathering places for the cultured enjoyment of the black caffeine drink. But Turkish coffee is not characterized by the use of a special variety. Its special characteristics lie in its very unusual preparation. It can be served in an espresso cup, but it has little in common with classic espresso. For the preparation of the traditional drink, a particularly finely ground powder is a prerequisite. If possible, a "coffee pot" is used. Although this particular pot was originally designed to be brewed over hot sand, it is not necessary to travel to sandier climates to recreate the original coffee experience. Preparation on a normal stove is also sufficient. If you don't have a coffee pot on hand, a small casserole can be used - but this is not ideal.
The coffee powder is heated together with water, sugar and the traditional spice cardamom until a fine foam forms. This is a sign of successful preparation. If there is no foam, you have done something wrong. After enjoying the first cup, the remaining coffee grounds are traditionally poured into the saucer to predict the future in a convivial atmosphere. The ritual of reading the coffee grounds is almost as old as the Turkish method of preparing coffee, but caution is advised when the future wife prepares the coffee: Here the cup may contain less digestible salt instead of sugar. This is sometimes interpreted as a sign that the bride has changed her mind.
By the way: If you drink Turkish coffee with your friends, you can supposedly be sure that you will bond with them for 40 years. So you should think about who you share your coffee with before you start grappling with the long-term consequences...