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The Tea and Coffee Culture

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Tea and Coffee are widely known beverage around the world, wherever your feet land on any part of
this world, whether it be way up north or down south, you’d surely end up sipping either of the two
most famous liquid in the world.

But in Istanbul, both tea and coffee are more than just rejuvenating and revitalizing drinks. Behind
its healthy benefits, along with the mental, emotional, and physical effects to a human being are the culture and history attached to these liquids.

Tea garden is an endearing symbol of Istanbul culture which, despite intense modernization and
lifestyle, still serves as a kind of haven for many Turks wanting unwind and take a break from the
stresses and pressures of everyday life, and socialize with friends. It’s as common to see fiery arguments
erupt over politics as it is to witness passionately played games of backgammon. Although once the
preserve of men, tea gardens are becoming increasingly popular with women, especially in larger cities
like Istanbul.

Most tea gardens and cafes, even more modern ones, will have a few sets of backgammon (‘tavla’)
on hand. Backgammon is one of the oldest games in the world, and is thought to date back an
incredible 5,000 years to what is now Iraq. Although mostly played by elderly men, the game remains
an immensely popular form of social interaction across all ages in Istanbul. Players crowd around the
wooden boards with tea in hand, and throw the dice back and forth along with endless banter.

Istanbul Tea (çay) is an integral part of Istanbul culture, it is usually served black, hot, sweet and strong
in tulip shaped glasses, often sipped in harmony with a nargile (Turkish water pipe). Their tea, like the
coffee, is something of an art form, and is made by stewing leaves in a double pot to produce a potent
amber colored brew.

On the other hand, Istanbul coffee, though not quite as popular as tea, is served as strong and sweet
and downed with equal gusto. Many coffee shops will also offer to ‘read’ your coffee, a fortune telling
ritual which goes back centuries. When the coffee has been drunk, the cup is flipped upside down on
the saucer and allowed to cool. Once cooled, the shapes in both the cup and saucer are analyzed and
revelations are given about the past and future life of the person. Coffee reading is just one of the many
ways in which Turks display a fascination with horoscopes, the spiritual world and superstition.

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