TURKISH COFFEE FOR 40 YEARS OF SAKE
TURKISH COFFEE, WHICH IS ON THE UNESCO CULTURAL HERITAGE LIST, LEAVES ITS TASTE AND FRESHNESS FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS SOFTER, AROMATIC AND INTENSE THAN OTHER TYPES OF COFFEE. IT IS QUITE EASY TO DISTINGUISH TURKISH COFFEE FROM OTHER COFFEES WITH ITS UNIQUE
According to legend, one day, a Greek ship captain berthed his ship to the harbor and then went on a trip in Üsküdar, Istanbul. While he is walking around, a coffee vendor from Üsküdar invited the captain to his shop and offered coffee. The two moved into a nice conversation. The time to go, the captain said goodbye to the coffee shop and sailed to the sea. 40 years passed by. The Greeks made a big revolt and kept the Turks they captured as prisoners, and the coffee maker from Üsküdar was also captured in this turmoil. His eyes met with a pair of eyes in those moments when he thought that he would die in the last moments of his life as a prisoner. Despite the 40 years passed, they immediately recognized each other. The Greek Captain immediately rescued the man from Üsküdar and freed him. This is the story behind the “Forty Years Sake” that we often use.
Turkish coffee culture and tradition dates back to the 16th century when coffee began to be served in coffeehouses in Istanbul. The tradition has two famous aspects that make its taste unique and contribute to socialization.
As a type of beverage, Turkish coffee has special preparation techniques, and these techniques, which date back many years, are still used today. Traditional methods used in the preparation of coffee have led to the development of special tools such as coffee pot, cup, mortars and silverware. Thanks to its time-consuming preparation techniques, Turkish coffee leaves its taste and freshness for a long time. It is softer, aromatic and intense than other types of coffee. It is quite easy to distinguish Turkish coffee from other coffees with its unique taste, grounds and foam.
Turkish coffee is not just a drink, it is also a social tool that brings together cultural gaps, social values and beliefs to socialize. The socialization role of Turkish coffee is based on the opening of the first coffeehouses with their remarkable decorations in Istanbul. Coffeehouses were the places then where people still drink coffee, chat, share news, read books, and socialize. Tradition is a symbol of hospitality, friendship, kindness and fun. All this is stated by the famous Turkish proverb “A cup of coffee has a forty years of sake”. This phrase shows how important coffee is in Turkish culture and how much it has got into Turkish culture.
Turkish coffee culture is practiced by every member of society in Turkey. Especially families, pottery makers, master-apprentices in coffee shops, workers, coffee grounds vendors deal with this tradition. In addition, tourists visiting our country see this tradition as a symbol of the Turkish lifestyle. This tradition is seen by all Turkish society as a part of cultural heritage and shared by individuals from all cultural and intercultural levels. Since its introduction to the Turkish community in the 16th century, coffeehouses have been opened even in the smallest settlements. This is an evidence of the increasing demand of Turkish coffee from past to present. It is almost impossible to imagine a Turkish house without one or more coffee sets. In fact, unlike other beverages, Turkish coffee is perceived as a symbol of the Turkish lifestyle rather than the desire of coffee drinkers and those who practice tradition. For this reason, Turkish coffee and tradition provide a strong social interaction among individuals from all levels of Turkish society.
The knowledge, talent, expertise and ceremonies regarding Turkish coffee culture and tradition are informally preserved by all members of the family, through mouth-to-mouth spread, observation and participation. A person born in a Turkish family naturally learns how to prepare Turkish coffee from previous generations and adopts it as an element of the Turkish lifestyle. In addition to the family, coffeehouses as a cultural distance provide an environment where this tradition is professionally transferred. Historically, coffeehouses are indispensable for this tradition, as coffeehouses are far before than the domestic consumption of coffee in homes.
The actual way of preparing coffee requires many and very detailed steps and skills. First of all, freshly roasted quality coffee beans (optionally) are ground in a mortar or grinder until they become powdered. Then, according to the taste, the coffee, the cold water and the sugar are put in the pot. Coffee is placed on the stove and cooked until foam appears on its surface. Finally, it is served with a glass of water and Turkish delight. Achieving a good flavor requires some skills, such as the roasting type and degree of coffee. It is very important to roast all the coffee beans equally and wait a little.
The method of preparing Turkish coffee is learned and maintained by families and coffee houses, without a specific promotion strategy, which is a sign of general consumption and cultural value. With its deep influence in Turkish life style, Turkish coffee plays a central role in culture as a sign of hospitality and friendship. To show special respect to special guests, coffee is served more attentively and with special cups than those used in daily life.
The tradition penetrates into people from all walks of life, and, as stated in a Turkish proverb, “The heart wants neither coffee nor coffeehouse, the heart wants friendship, coffee is just an excuse”, it is named an excuse for existing social relationships. Inviting friends for coffee is an indication of the need for a friendly chat or sharing daily events.
Turkish coffee has a tremendous influence on literature. Therefore, numerous poems and songs have been written to describe the functions and feelings of this tradition. The tradition also takes place in Sufi poetry, religious ceremonies, miniature crafts and paintings. Therefore, tradition supports the identity and continuity feelings of communities and groups in Turkish culture.
The fact that Turkish coffee has a certain style makes Turkish coffee original and different from the other drinks, as the person always remembers the happy moments he/she had with other people while drinking Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee culture and tradition supports cultural diversity and creativity as the values and ceremonies that surround the tradition are available to all individuals.
Since many tools such as coffee grinders, coffee cups, trays, coolers, mortars, hand mills, coffee containers, coffee pot, special containers are made of valuable materials such as silver, it distinguishes artistic value and creates original works of art, and people prefer to display them in their private collections under the name of antiques.
As of 2013, Turkish coffee culture and tradition has been registered on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on the name of our country.