A Turkish Girl on Turkish Coffee

 [ 🎧 Now Playing: Eartha Kitt - Üsküdara Gider İken ]

“1 fincan kahvenin 40 yıl hatrı vardır.”

Meaning: A cup of coffee creates a bond that lasts forty years. 

But why?

Turkish coffee holds a special place in our hearts. For us, Turkish coffee has never been just coffee. We share stories, jokes, and gossip while preparing and drinking it. And of course, the most entertaining part: the fortune-telling ritual. Let me tell you how.

Here's what makes Turkish coffee different from most coffees: Turkish coffee is served without filtration. So, the coffee grounds remain in the cup and eventually settle at the bottom! We leave that part (called telve in Turkish) for fortune telling.

The traditional coffee cooker, cezve, is still popular but the electric cezves have also become handy. They are convenient because they don’t require a stove. Coffee is ready in about 30 seconds. Easy prep! Tradition clashes with innovation. My favorite is, of course, the traditional cezve. I guess I am the traditional type.

Of course, coffee isn't just about what's inside the cup. Turkish coffee cups deserve their moment in the spotlight too. The cups resemble espresso cups, though they are  slightly thinner, and a saucer is essential (for fortune telling too!). 

My Favorite: the one with Atatürk (bottom left)

The most traditional and popular cup set is the one decorated with Turkish red, turquoise, and green tulips. I guess I really am the traditional type because these cups traveled with me from Spain to Sweden. My international friends would recognize these cups immediately.

A thick foam: the perfect cup of Turkish coffee!

After finishing the liquid coffee, make a wish and close your cup with your saucer. Rotate the cup gently in a few small circles and turn it upside down. The grounds will spread across the cup and saucer, creating the patterns for your reading. You can place a coin on top -for good fortune and also for cooling. After 10-15 minutes, the cup cools down and is ready for the most fun part: 

Fortune telling!

Guide to Turkish Coffee Fortune Telling  

🐟 Fish: Abundance

🐦 Bird: Good news

‖ Straight vertical lines: Roads, journeys, and travels

👀 Eye: Someone may be watching you, so be careful, honey!

The eye of Sauron. Someone is watching me.

Any Lord of the Rings fans? Does my cup say I'm heading to Mordor? Middle-earth, wait for me!😃

Turkish coffee isn't just a drink. It's a moment to slow down, share stories and, if you're lucky, discover what your cup has to say. Enjoy this lovely Turkish moment. After all, a cup of coffee creates a bond that lasts forty years.

See you in the next post, where I'll share more about Turkish culture. Until then, Hoşça kalın!

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