The Odd Drinking Method Tourists Must Know Before Ordering Coffee In Turkey, Per Rick Steves

Turkey is attracting more and more tourists these days, so much so that you could say the country is enjoying its moment in the sun. It's an ancient, enchanting land that draws visitors from around the globe for its historic cities, gorgeous architecture, and otherworldly landscapes that will make you feel like you've just stepped out of a storybook. It's also home to a delectable cuisine, along with drinks such as ayran (a cold yogurt beverage), raki (anise liquor), an array of teas, and of course, Turkish coffee.

Rather than a variety of bean or method of roasting, "Turkish coffee" just refers to the way it's made throughout Anatolia — the rugged and scenic peninsula that Turkey calls home. This brew is a vital part of life throughout the country, especially as a point of national pride — so much so that it's been placed on the UNESCO list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

While Turkey is great in any season, the best time of year to visit Turkey is spring or fall to enjoy the outdoors in cool weather. Of course, no trip is complete without sitting down and sipping their robust, iconic coffee, though visitors may be surprised when they take that first sip. Not only is it surprisingly strong — it's also unfiltered, which means a specific drinking method must be employed to keep the grounds from settling at the bottom of the cup, per travel guru Rick Steves. It all comes down to constantly stirring your coffee.

A man named Ozdemir Pasha is credited with introducing coffee to Turkey around 1540. He was serving as the Ottoman Governor of Yemen when he discovered locals drinking this dark, smoky, caffeinated brew. After becoming a fan himself, he brought some back to Istanbul as a gift for the Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent. It soon spread across the country as a drink for the aristocracy, before eventually trickling down to the common man. Coffeehouses popped up all throughout Istanbul, where people would come to read, relax, play backgammon and chess, and to discuss poetry, art, and of course, politics.

Turkish coffee is prepared in a copper vessel known as a "cezve." Traditionally, you start with cold water and finely ground high quality arabica coffee, which is slowly brought to a boil over low heat. Once the coffee is poured into the small cups, it must be let to stand in order to allow the grounds to settle. However, you don't want the powdery grounds to settle too much, as the separation makes the coffee weak. On his website, Rick Steves maintains that the best way to avoid this is to "gently agitate your cup time and time again" in order to maintain optimal flavor.

According to an old Turkish proverb, "Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love." While often offered to guests in any Turkish household, you can also enjoy a cup at one of the hundreds of thousands of coffeehouses nationwide. In addition to the little cups of black, frothy joe, you're also often served a small sweet treat — usually lokum (Turkish delight) or baklava — as well as a glass of water that acts as both a palate cleanser and rinser-away of any grounds remaining in your mouth.

Spices such as cardamom and chicory are often added to Turkish coffee, and while many locals drink their coffee without additional sugar, you may want some to cut the smoky bitterness that can be an acquired taste for some. Unlike in most Western countries, sugar is added to Turkish coffee before it's brewed, so you have to ask for it when you order: "şekerli" for the sweetest, "orta şekerli" for medium sweet, "az şekerli" for just a little sugar, and "sade" for none.  

Turkish coffeehouses have traditionally been places for only men to gather, though today women are welcome at most any establishment, especially in the bigger cities. Coffeehouses are places to take a break from your day and linger over an impossibly strong cup that will both relax you and pick you up. And when you're finished, turn your cup upside down on the saucer, and — for a small fee — a wandering fortune teller will read your future in the grounds. For more of Turkey's magic, head to this budget-friendly city for a unique vacation.