Turkish coffee: the history of the drink and cooking methods

Turkish coffee is a drink known all over the world.He is very popular in our country, and in his homeland he is perceived as a national pride. Coffee in Turkish is considered the hallmark of Turkey, so the main thing that Turkish women have to do is to cook it according to the rules.

There is no reliable information about the origin of coffee in Turkish, but there are several versions that tell about his way of recognition, gaining popularity in Turkish society. Many people mistakenly believe that special coffee beans are used to make this drink. In fact, the grain for it needs the most common, but the method of roasting / grinding does have its own distinctive features.

According to one version, this amazing drink came to Turkey in the middle of the 16th century, thanks to two Syrian traders who, after moving to Istanbul, began selling coffee. According to another version, Turkish coffee became world famous at the beginning of the 16th century, when the governor of Yemen presented coffee beans to the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, who was the ruler of the Ottoman Empire at that time.

The Ottoman Empire was known for its love of luxurious cuisine. Therefore, having received coffee beans at his disposal, the chef came up with a new way to make a drink. Only a close circle of the Sultan could eat at that time. For the preparation of the drink, the chef used a method of roasting, as well as grinding the grains, after which he cooked the resulting powder in a cezve.

At first, such an unusual preparation of coffee was known only to the nobility, but soon an amazing recipe became known to all Turkish people. This knowledge allowed people to open public institutions in which everyone could try an invigorating coffee drink.

It is the Turkish people who are considered the pioneers of public coffee houses in which the Turks began to spend their free time. Such a pastime allowed people of all classes to play intellectual games, to talk on all sorts of topics, sipping delicious coffee. Initially, only men could go to coffee shops, and women had the opportunity to enjoy the taste of the drink only at home or away. In those days there was a law that obliged Turkish husbands to provide their wives with coffee, otherwise they could safely file for divorce.

Turkish coffee was not always a success. During the reign of Sultan Murad IV, he was under strict prohibition, as it was believed that when gathering in coffee shops, people spoke negatively about power. In order for the Turks to criticize the authorities less, the Sultan forbade people to organize gatherings, ordering to demolish objectionable coffee houses. But this way of saving their reputation did not work, and people continued to meet over a cup of coffee in underground establishments.

Turkish coffee is famous all over the world. He was loved for the pleasant aroma and variety of taste. He is able to please even the most fastidious person. There are many recipes for the preparation of this drink. Depending on the method of cooking, it may have a bitter or sweet taste, a liquid or thick consistency. But the most correct is the classic recipe, which came to us in the XVI century.

To make traditional Turkish coffee, you need to prepare fine washed sand and a Turk. You need to prepare the drink over low heat so that it is heated evenly. The main thing is to prevent long boiling mixture. To ensure uniform heating of water and coffee, cleaned sand should be poured into the roaster, which should include small pebbles. Its presence is necessary for the Turk to heat up evenly, but not strongly in contact with the sand.

The amount of sand is selected based on the size of the Turks - it should cover only the bottom of the tank. To do this, they make a hollow in the sand, place the Turk in it, but at the same time keep it in weight so that the bottom does not come into contact with the brazier.

An important indicator of good Turks is the material of manufacture. Since a properly prepared drink should be heated evenly, the dishes should consist of a material that can satisfy this requirement. For example, to get Turkish coffee you need to use silver or copper Turk.

Before making Turkish coffee, you need to accurately calculate the amount of coffee, water and coffee. To do this, you need to know how many people will enjoy the drink, how many servings will be needed. Traditional coffee cups have a rather small size, so the Turks are not distinguished by large dimensions. Drink coffee taken immediately after preparation. In traditional coffee ceremonies, it is not customary to reheat a drink - just cooled coffee is poured.

When a good Turk is chosen, it is necessary to proceed to the selection of high-quality freshly roasted coffee. A Turkish drink is usually made from finely ground coffee beans, which are more like powder or powder. Large particles should not be present in the mixture, since in consequence they will be on the teeth of a drinking person.

For making classic coffee at home, you need to carefully prepare and water. It should be distinguished by maximum purity (with the absence of any impurities). Delicious Turkish coffee can be obtained only with the use of soft water without salts, so to prepare a drink you need to stock up with distilled or pre-boiled and distilled liquid.

To get a sweet taste, as well as a soft, sticky consistency, add sugar in the ratio of 1/3 to the mixture. Three spoons of sugar should be added to one spoonful of coffee. But this proportion is not necessary for everyone. People who limit themselves to sugar can reduce the sweetness of the drink.

For brewing coffee, many people immediately mix all the ingredients, and then pour the mixture with water. But you can first heat the water, and only then fall asleep in the Turk all the components. The main thing is not to miss the boiling point of the drink. It should boil for only a few seconds. As soon as a foam begins to form on the surface of the coffee, the Turk must immediately be removed from the fire. Then you have to wait until it settles, and then lower the dishes back into the sand. After re-raising the foam, the coffee must be removed from the fire and poured into cups.

Currently, there are many ways to make coffee in Turkish. In addition to the classical method, recipes with the addition of spices, ice or egg yolk are a huge success.

To make this drink you will need:

• fine grains - 8 g;
• ground black pepper - 4 g;
• a pinch of salt;
• butter - 4 g;
• water - 100 ml.

To make this drink, you need to pour coffee in the Turk, add water and pepper to it. Then put it on a slow fire, and then wait until the liquid begins to boil. After that, the Turk is removed from the heat, and the coffee is poured into cups. Add butter and salt to the dish itself, mix everything thoroughly, then allow to stand for a while.

Ingredients:

• ground coffee - 8 g;
• ground ginger - 4 g;
• sugar - 6 g;
• water - 100 ml.

Finely ground coffee is poured into Turku, then ginger, sugar and water are added. Capacity put on fire, waiting for the formation of foam. Ready drink is stirred, and then poured into cups.

Ingredients:

• ground coffee - 8 g;
• Cognac - 40 ml;
• grated orange peel - 15 g;
• sugar - 6 g;
• water - 100 ml.

To make a drink, you need to pour ground coffee beans, sugar into a Turk, and then pour all the water over. When the coffee is ready, you need to add the orange zest and brandy.The drink must be thoroughly mixed, let it brew, and only then poured into cups.

To make coffee, you will need:

• water - 210 ml;
• ground coffee - 16 g;
• cloves - 4 g;
• cardamom - 4 g;
• cinnamon - 8 g;
• sugar - 16 g

Spices and sugar are poured into the heated Turk, then ground coffee beans and water are added. Boil drink on low heat. After the formation of foam it must be removed. Ready coffee can be poured into cups.

Ingredients:

• finely ground coffee beans - 8 g;
• chicken yolk - 10 g;
• sugar - 16 g;
• water - 90 ml.

Method of preparation: pour sugar and coffee into the Turk, pour all over with water. Put the mixture on a slow fire, bring to readiness. After that, the drink must be poured into a cup, in which you must whisk the yolk.

Ingredients:

• 150 ml of milk;
• 15 ml of cream;
• 10 g of cardamom;
• 150 ml of freshly brewed coffee;
• 2 ice cubes.

In a small pot you need to pour milk, add sugar, cream, cardamom, and then put on the fire. When the mixture boils, it is removed from the heat, cooled and filtered. Then it is mixed with freshly brewed coffee. Finally ice is added to the resulting drink.

Many people prefer Turkish coffee to plain coffee, which is sold in a can. If you cook the drink yourself, you can achieve a stronger flavor and taste.

Traditional Turkish coffee is made from very fine coffee. It is not treated through a filter, and immediately cooked in the Turk. Sugar or milk is added at the end of cooking. Drink a drink immediately after preparation is not worth it. It is necessary to let the mixture settle at the bottom of the cup, and only then you can enjoy the taste of freshly brewed coffee.

Turkish coffee can be served along with a glass of water. It is believed that it is not intended for daily use, and therefore is a delicacy. Turks enjoy the taste of this drink only after the end of the meal in a circle of guests. Turkish coffee is rightfully recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage. He received such high recognition for his unique style, method of preparation and special rules of use.

When the Turks fully enjoyed the taste of Turkish coffee, they turn to guessing in the coffee grounds. To do this, they turn the cup upside down and wait until the sediment dries. After that, according to the patterns formed in the cup, people read their fate.

To drink Turkish coffee in all traditions, you must adhere to some rules.

• Need to drink coffee after a meal. This is usually done either after a late breakfast or after lunch.
• If a coffee house is chosen for drinking, then the barista must be told in advance how much sugar to put in the Turk. If you follow the rules, the sugar is added only during the preparation of coffee.
• Traditional coffee drink made to drink without admixture of various additives.

To make real Turkish coffee, you need to accurately calculate the number of people who will drink it. The size of the Turks depends on it. For example, if you prepare a drink for two in dishes that is designed for three, you get coffee with a distorted taste and aroma.

For one drink, one spoon of ground coffee beans is needed. Sugar / various spices need to be added before the mixture goes to the fire. Thus, you can stretch the cooking time, filling the room with a unique aroma.

As soon as a foam begins to form on the surface of the Turks, it is removed from the heat, laid out in circles, and then the cezve is returned to the stove.You need to shoot the finished coffee before it boils.

It is very important to make a good coffee for making a delicious and invigorating drink. To do this, you should decide on its grade, degree of roasting and grinding. It is known that a Turkish coffee drink is made only from very finely ground beans, which are similar in texture to the flour. As for the variety, it all depends on the personal preferences of the buyer. The Arabica variety has the most sophisticated taste and aroma, but its price is much higher than other grains. But roasting should have a medium or medium-dark degree. The expressiveness of the taste of the future drink depends on it.

How to make coffee in Turkish, see the following video.