An esteemed cup of Turkish Coffee...

YESAM hosted Dr. Nihal Bursa during the seminar “Turkish Coffee: More than just a frothy hot beverage.” She started by explaining the history of coffee. “Thanks to goats, who were the first ones to eat coffee beans off the trees, effects have made humans aware of coffee’s existence. Initially considered medicine, it has come a long way to become the hot frothy beverage we enjoy today”.

Dr. Bursa continued explaining the history of coffee with her colorful slide show. “Coffee first came into the Ottoman land in 16th century via Özdemir Pasha, who was stationed in Yemen. Ever since its arrival, Turkish coffee has become one of the most important aspects of Turkish culinary culture and took its place in all celebrations and ceremonies including the ceremony of asking a girl’s hand in marriage, where the bride-to-be prepares Turkish coffee for all the guests, but prepares a special one for the groom-to-be that contains salt instead of sugar. Coffee is considered to be the symbol of hospitality, long-lasting friendships and respect. Unlike the coffee chains that sell coffee to go, Turkish coffee is enjoyed while sitting down and is known to be a prolonged pleasure. The fortune-telling done by reading the finished coffee cup is one of the most significant ways to end this coffee drinking ritual.”

In the second part of the seminar, Dr. Bursa, discussed how Turkish coffee is made and all the stages involved, until it becomes the frothy drink that we know.  She explained the roasting, cooling, grinding, storing and brewing stages via a beautiful slide show that showed all the utensils used throughout history.

Participants enjoyed the seminar followed by a frothy cup of Turkish Coffee accompanied by NAR Gourmet’s double roasted pistachio Turkish delight.

26 September 2013