What Is Traditional Turkish Coffee and Why Is It Disappearing?

In Istanbul’s trendiest cafés, baristas serve lattes and cappuccinos made with espresso—just like in New York or London. But some Turkish patriots aren’t happy. They see these drinks pushing out their national brew: traditional Turkish coffee. In response, activists and even special interest groups are pushing back, demanding that cafés keep serving the real thing.

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee with water (no filter, no espresso machine), often served unfiltered with the grounds still in the cup—and it takes time, skill, and tradition to get it right. Unlike an espresso shot, which takes seconds, Turkish coffee can take several minutes to prepare properly. And it’s not just a drink—it’s an experience, sometimes even used for fortune-telling.

The Origins of Turkish Coffee and Its Global Influence

Although coffee originally came from Yemen, it was the Ottoman Empire that first helped spread coffee drinking across Europe. According to historian Taha Toros, Ottoman soldiers left sacks of coffee behind during military campaigns in Europe. At first, locals thought it was camel feed—but soon discovered the beans made a potent, tasty drink. That sparked Europe’s coffee craze. In other words, Turkey helped teach the West how to drink coffee.

How Traditional Turkish Coffee Is Made

Turkish coffee is nothing like espresso. The process is slow, manual, and ceremonial. Here’s how it works:

• The coffee is ground to a very fine powder, almost like flour.
• It’s then combined with water in a special metal pot called a cezve (or ibrik).
• The mixture is heated slowly, often boiling two or three times to develop flavour.
• It’s served unfiltered, meaning the fine grounds remain in the cup.

This method creates a thick, rich, and aromatic coffee. The grounds settle at the bottom, and the leftover sludge is often used to tell fortunes—a unique cultural ritual.

Why Turkish Coffee Is Under Threat

In modern Turkish cities like Istanbul, many cafés have abandoned traditional brewing methods in favour of faster, Western-style options. Espresso machines now dominate, and drinks like cappuccinos and lattes are more common than Turkish coffee. This shift has upset older generations and cultural preservationists.

The “Association for the Support of Modern Life,” a group with over 10,000 members, has launched a campaign to save Turkish coffee. Their leader, Kahar, argues that just as no Italian restaurant would refuse to serve espresso, no Turkish café should be without its national drink. “We’re not asking for much—we just want Turkish coffee to stay on the menu,” he said.

Even local media have joined the debate. One customer complained after being refused Turkish coffee at a flashy sports celebrity café in Istanbul. The manager insisted on serving only Western-style drinks. The incident went viral, sparking outrage and fresh calls to protect the country’s coffee heritage.

Where You Can Still Find Traditional Turkish Coffee

Today, traditional Turkish coffee houses are rare in urban centres. The few that remain often cater exclusively to men and have an old-fashioned atmosphere, making them less attractive to younger, city-based crowds. However, in rural towns and villages, the tradition is alive and well. These communities continue to value the slow, social ritual of preparing and sharing Turkish coffee the old way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Turkish coffee and how is it different from espresso?

Turkish coffee is made by boiling finely ground coffee with water in a cezve, without any filtration. It’s unfiltered, served with the grounds in the cup, and has a thick, sludgy texture. Espresso, on the other hand, is a concentrated shot extracted under high pressure in seconds using an espresso machine. Turkish coffee takes several minutes to prepare and is not filtered at all.

Why are people in Turkey worried about losing Turkish coffee?

Many Turks, especially older generations and cultural activists, worry that the rise of Western-style espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes is pushing traditional Turkish coffee out of cafés. They fear that future generations may not experience or value their cultural coffee heritage.

What is the role of the “Association for the Support of Modern Life” in protecting Turkish coffee?

This association, with over 10,000 members, actively campaigns to ensure Turkish coffee remains available in restaurants and cafés. They argue that every Turkish eatery should serve the national coffee just as Italian restaurants serve espresso. Their efforts include public advocacy and media engagement.

Can you really tell fortunes from Turkish coffee grounds?

Yes. After drinking Turkish coffee, the thick layer of grounds left in the cup is often used for fortune-telling, a long-standing cultural tradition in Turkey. The patterns formed by the settled grounds are interpreted to predict future events or reveal personality insights.

Where is traditional Turkish coffee still commonly found?

Traditional Turkish coffee is mostly found in rural areas and small towns where old-fashioned coffee houses remain popular. In big cities like Istanbul, it’s becoming harder to find, as modern cafés focus more on espresso-based drinks.

How is Turkish coffee served and what does it taste like?

Turkish coffee is served in small cups, unfiltered, and very hot. It has a thick mouthfeel due to the fine grounds that remain in the liquid. The taste is intense, rich, and often slightly gritty. It’s typically served without milk or sugar, though sugar can be added during brewing.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Turkish Brewing

For those curious about trying something similar at home, FrontStreet Coffee’s Yirgacheffe offers bright citrus and floral notes, while Ethiopia Huakui presents blueberry and jasmine—both work well for manual brewing methods. Though not Turkish-style, these single origins highlight the importance of fine grinding and careful brewing, much like Turkish coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.