There are three main species of coffee trees: Arabica, Liberica, and Robusta. Turkish coffee is prepared only from Arabica beans. This tree produces the highest quality coffee on the planet… with a price to match. Reason being, Arabica trees are harder to cultivate, delicate to harvest, and have a shorter producing life yielding less beans per tree. But it only takes one taste of a properly brewed cup, and you’ll be an instant enthusiast.

Served in demitasse cups it’s reminiscent of Italian espresso. Italians love their espresso. With Turkish coffee, it’s more of an obsession. Probably no beverage has had such a profound effect on the culture and customs of a people than this one. In times past it’s been known to upset an empire, betrothals made, and sometimes broken believe it or not, religious rituals altered, all over a cup of this frothy liquid. Over simplification? Perhaps.

On the other side of the Ottoman coin, it’s the symbol of hospitality, and no guest is ever received without being offered this gesture of warmth. Who can resist? And most often, it’s simply sipped…leisurely… peacefully …and enjoyed purely for the pleasure of it. Now where’s my hookah??