Coffee

Turkish coffee started its journey in Istanbul in 1555 when two Syrian traders brought coffee to the city. At the beginning it was known as the »milk of chess players and thinkers.” But soon in 17th century it became a part of ceremonies involving the Ottoman court where coffee makers with the help of assistants ceremoniously prepared and served coffee for the sultan.

In ancient times, women received intensive training in the harem on the proper technique of preparing this Turkish beverage. Perspective husbands would judge a woman’s merits based on the taste of her coffee.

From the days of Ottoman Empire throughout present, coffee has played an important role in Turkish life style and culture. Coffee houses have become social institutions where people could meet and talk. Even today the traditional coffee houses play an important role in Turkish culture as they serve as a meeting place for tourists and locals.

Today Turkish beverage is popular in the Middle East, North Africa, Caucasus, the Balkan, basically all over the world. It is derived from the Arabic beans and made in small pot called ibrik.

How to make Turkish coffee

Traditionally we boil water in a pot or ibrik and add some coffee when the water boils. The process of boiling water in a coffee pot involves repeatedly bringing the coffee in the ibrik just to a boil, and then removing it from the heat to let it cool.

The most important thing to know when brewing this beverage is the foam that appears when we bring it to boil. It has to boil just for few seconds. As the foam is the essence of Turkish coffee we have to make it enough so the coffee will have distinct flavor. But we need to avoid bitterness that can appear if we boil it to much.

Sometimes aromatic spice cardamom is added to the coffee while it is being ground. Traditional Turkish coffee has six levels of sweetness ranging from very sweet to black. After the coffee is brewed we distribute coffee foam evenly among coffee drinkers and pour out the remaining coffee. Before we serve coffee, we wait for a minute or two to let it cool down.

Easy to follow steps to great Turkish coffee
1. We boil cold water in an ibrik
2. Remove from heat and add finely ground coffee and sugar and put it back on heat
3. Repeatedly bringing the coffee in the ibrik just to a boil (twice or three times should do it)
4. Pour foam equally among all drinkers (you can use a spoon to do that)
5. Pour out the remaining coffee into coffee cups
6. Allow it to cool down and wait for the grounds to settle to the bottom of the cup

Ingredients for one cup

o 1 cup of cold water
o 1-2 tablespoons of ground Arabic coffee
o 1 spoon of sugar
o Aromatic spice cardamom

Congratulations! You now know how to make Turkish coffee. Just remember one more thing: do not stir coffee after pouring into cups as the foam will collapse.

And if you want to know more about How to make coffee please visit http://www.coffeeinspector.com where you will find all you need to know to brew a great cup of espresso, iced coffee and other coffee drinks.

Author: Roman Hafner
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If your coffee maker goes out on you, or you simply want to try another method of fantastic coffee brewing, consider brewing a Turkish cup of Joe! This authentic coffee can be traced back all the way to the Ottoman Empire, and it is a staple of the Turkish culture today. Before you become overwhelmed or intimidated, know that brewing Turkish coffee is much easier than it looks, and it will provide you with a unique and one-of-a-kind brew product.

Start out by pouring cold water into a small Turkish coffee pot. Use 1 cup of cold water for each cup of brewed coffee that you want to create, and then add a half cup of water extra that will be boiled out in the brew process. It is best to start out with cold water for the best taste in your brew. After that, freshly grind your coffee beans to almost a powder, which is the consistency needed for authentic Turkish coffee. Measure out 1 teaspoon of fresh coffee grounds per cup of water, and stir well. Add cardamom pods to the mixture for authentic flavors.

From there, add 1 tablespoon of sugar for every 2 teaspoons of coffee grounds in the mixture. It is important to add the sugar before the brew process to provide the correct Turkish flavor and taste in the brew. Place the pot on the stove over low heat, and gently bring it to a boil. Make sure that it does not boil over, but allow the froth to rise to the top of the pot. Pour this mixture into small Turkish cups until they are a third full.

Last of all, place the pot back on the stove on low heat, and allow it to again come to a boil to create foam. Pour the foamed coffee into each cup evenly so that each Turkish coffee contains froth. Allow the coffee product to settle for a few moments so that the fine coffee grounds can move to the bottom of the cups, and then drink right away for a fresh and delicious Turkish coffee flavor. This is a coffee that is not strained or filtered, and it provides even more depth and complexity to the brew product because the essential oils of the coffee beans will remain in the final brew.

Since this coffee has sugar while it is brewed, there is no reason to stir it. Stirring the coffee will only move around the coffee grounds, so it is better to leave it untouched when you drink it so that the coffee grounds can settle to the bottom of the cup. It is best to enjoy this authentic Turkish coffee with medium roasted coffee beans that have been freshly roasted. For an even fuller flavor in your coffee, you can use a handheld coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to grind the beans into a powder. Take the time to try different consistencies in the texture of your Turkish coffee for a delicious flavor and taste in your brew!

Another popular accessory for coffee is the commercial coffee maker! For a great selection, check out Mark Ramos’ website, The Coffee Bump.

Author: Mark Ramos
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Coffee consumption started in a corner of Ethiopia when a young herder discovered the “magical powers” that red beans from a tree had on his goats when they ate them. Monks from a nearby monastery brewed the first cup of coffee after some trial and error. Over time, consumption of this new beverage spread among the monasteries throughout Ethiopia and to neighboring mosques and Muslim regions where alcohol was not allowed.

Coffee was generally regarded as a luxurious stimulant and its fame spread beyond country borders. Coffee became known as a black beverage that inspired love and loyalty, healed the sick, comforted the exhausted, and allowed long nights of prayer and meditation. Coffee became in high demand from Ethiopia to the great port of Moka (also “Mocha”) on the Red Sea and then to the Gulf of Aden into Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula. Coffee was cultivated in the Arabian Peninsula which explains why the name for the Arabica coffee became popularized.

Coffee continued to spread to Turkey and to the rest of the Ottoman Empire. It was in the Ottoman Empire where coffee was roasted on bonfires and became famous for its wonderful aroma and color. Coffee drinking became widespread and was adopted as a beverage of choice in Persia, Egypt, Syria and Europe.

It is interesting to note how mystery and claims of magical powers continued to surround coffee to the point that it became an almost sacred substance. Coffee could not be cultivated in Europe as a result of northern climates, temperatures and soil conditions unfavorable to the crop. As a result of being an import, coffee availability was rare and scarce. This happened so much that coffee became a symbol of luxury and the gift of choice for royalty. Without a doubt, this “prestige” made coffee very attractive to people in religious and political spheres of society.

Coffee consumption grew rapidly throughout Europe among nobles, artists, intellectuals, scholars and many more wealthy and powerful people. Coffee houses followed and coffee became synonymous with good service, hospitality and friendship. Coffee eventually made its way to Southeast Asia and to the Americas. Dutch, French and British merchants brought coffee to their plantations in Ceylon, Indonesia, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia and to many other countries along East Indies merchant routes. In short, coffee literally went around the world and has become at present the second most traded commodity in the world after petroleum.

When you think of it, that is indeed an awful lot of coffee for everyone! Drinking coffee is a fun and personal activity. Something you can do with friends or by yourself. Millions of people all over the world get their day “started” with a cup of coffee. The brew is served 24×7 just about everywhere you go. But coffee is so much more than just a beverage!

Coffee offers many health benefits and that is a great thing. Remember some of the “magical powers” that legends associated with coffee? Well, it turns out that there is much truth in such “magical powers.”

• Coffee has been the subject of research for decades. Consistently, the results show that coffee is more healthful than harmful. Such statement is based on research findings that take place daily on coffee, caffeine and health around the world in public and private organizations, laboratories, universities and other specialized facilities.
• How does coffee improve the health of your body? It’s the “magic’” in antioxidants and caffeine! Both of these substances have proven health and anti aging benefits.
• Antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals.
• These free radicals are produced as a by-product of cells through normal daily activities.

Coffee is a delicious and very versatile beverage. Hot or cold. There are more than 69 different flavors to choose from such as Chocolate Coffee; Nut and Crunch Coffee or Hazelnut coffee.

Let’s celebrate the wonders of coffee and get some of that “magic” in us, shall we? Recommendation: A delicious gourmet flavored coffee freshly roasted just for you!

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “The Gourmet Coffee Guy.” He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Timothy S. Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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