6 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT TURKISH COFFEE

Drinking coffee is a daily ritual for most of us. Coffee lovers like me, don't start the day without this "magical" potion. Even now when I'm writing this article, I have my cup of morning Turkish coffee next to me. Turkish coffee is more tradition than a drink, it's the most favorite coffee for all Macedonians and it is known for its specific way of preparation and traditional serving. Women here love to gossip with a cup of Turkish coffee.

These are the 6 facts you may not have known about Turkish coffee:



1. Turkish coffee doesn't come from Turkey

The first evidence of drinking coffee probably comes from Yemen from the 5th century. From there, it spreads to Cairo and Mecca. In 1640, some of the famous chroniclers from the Ottoman period say that the first cafeteria was opened in Constantinople. The name derives from the Arabic word "qahwah". The meaning of coffee in Turkish culture is reflected in the word "breakfast", in Turkish - "kahvalti", literally translated means "before coffee".

2. The quality is in the foam (kaymak) on the top

If you want to know if you have a well-made Turkish coffee, you will need to look at the foam on the top of the cup. This type of coffee is characterized by a soft and velvety foam. Thanks to the foam, coffee remains hot for a long time.


3. Water is served with the coffee

Turkish coffee is usually served with a small glass of water. Have you ever wondered why this is so? Drinking water in advance will help you sense the true taste of coffee, while after consuming coffee it will help rinse your mouth from unfiltered remains.

4. The lokum makes the entire ritual better

It's all about the complete feeling: the shape of the cup, the color of the coffee and the piece of lokum on the tray make the picture complete when it comes to Turkish coffee. The locum adds the bliss to the bitter taste of Turkish coffee - which is especially important for those who choose to drink a cup of coffee without sugar. Or, as they say in Turkey, "we eat sweet, so we can talk sweet."

5. The mother-in-law role

Did you know that in Turkey, your future mother-in-law will judge you based on how you prepared your coffee and the way you served it. In fact, in many families it is also the first test of the new bride, she prepares the coffee for her mother-in-law and then comes a grade, so try to avoid the embarrassment and gossip in public.

6. Turkish coffee is under UNESCO protection

Turkish coffee is listed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage. The decision was taken at the 8th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held in 2013 in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku.

Enjoy your coffee!

You can read the original text in Macedonian here