European countries developed their coffee brewing methods after deriving coffee drinking habit from the Turks; however, the method of brewing Turkish coffee has remained almost unchanged. In many respects, Turkish coffee has to be regarded different from the rest of coffees and it would be unfair to say that merely because of its preparation or brewing. Coffee beans arrived in the Ottoman lands almost five centuries ago and became popular quickly, shaping a history with spaces and structures named after it. A distinctive way of presentation and drinking habit developed with dedicated utensils specifically crafted for brewing and serving. Moreover, coffee gained an important and unique role in the social relations and culture of Turkey as indicated by the aphorism “when a cup of coffee is offered its memory would be cherished for forty years”. That rich cultural background prompted UNESCO to inscribe the Turkish Coffee Culture and Tradition in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013.
Where to Drink?
You may taste Turkish coffee almost anywhere ranging from the guest rooms of your Turkish friends welcoming you in their homes to any hotel you stay, from the village coffee-houses to luxurious restaurants. The enjoyment of drinking a cup of traditionally brewed and served Turkish coffee at any place along the coast of Bosporus overlooking the sights of Istanbul cannot be beaten. You may have enjoyed various types of coffees in many different places from around the world, however the experience described above would be unforgettable and unique.