Livinright

Like many Americans, I am a big coffee drinker and I look forward to having delicious Turkish coffee while in Turkey.

However, there are so many references to tea in Turkey. It seems tea is more prevalent there. Is there a right or wrong time for Turkish coffee?

I remember how devastated I was to long ago learn that cappuccino was supposed to be ordered in the morning only!

Thanks!

sparkchaser

Coffee and tea are both popular in Turkey so unless you will only be there for a single meal, feel free to try as much of both as you want.


<i>I remember how devastated I was to long ago learn that cappuccino was supposed to be ordered in the morning only!</i>

Shhhh! Don't let zee Germans hear you say that.

Pepper_von_snoot

There are Starbucks all over Turkey.

There is a Starbucks on Istiklal Caddesi in Istanbul, along with many other cafes that serve coffee.

And, yes, apple tea is very popular in Turkey.

I can remember having very good coffee and pastry at a bakery/cafe near the Hotel Divan in the Taksim Square area of Istanbul.

No one cares what you order. Who the bloody hell cares when you drink your cappuccino?

Do you really think that people who live in large cities wonder what others are drinking?

If I want a bottle of gin served with my breakfast or a cappuccino served to me at 10 PM, I'll bloody well have it.

Thin

sparkchaser

Gin is the breakfast of champions.

Will you marry me, Miss von Snoot?

nyse

It's Mr. von_Snoot to you.

sparkchaser

I might be ok with that.

Rubicund

Sounds like the ending of "Some Like it Hot"!

otherchelebi

A personal thought:

- Turkish coffee is a stand alone drink, and/or following a meal.

- Turkish tea is always brewed and can be fragrant (tea fragrance) and strong. Can be stand alone but great with "simit" "pogaca" or various savories containing cheese or cookies.

- If asked for your preference of cups/mugs or Tyrkish tea glasses, prefer the tea glass which is traditionally small thin with narrow waist. Hot tea from thin glass becomes a habit. Buy your own glasses, usually manufactured by Pasabahce, almost anywhere.

- Best Turkish teas are "Caykur" brand. "Rize Turistik" "Altin Bas" and a blue 500 gm box whose name I forgot make the best combination,

- Buy your fresh ground and packed coffee at Kurikahveci Mehmet Efendi shop next to the Spice Bazaar at Eminonu in Istanbul. You will need a vacuum seal container to take it back home though.

By the way, you are correct that tea is the prevalent drink. It is cheap, locally grown, brewed well and you can linger over it.

Apple tea is usually for the tourists

The locally manufactured gin is not very good quality for consumption at any time of day.

otherchelebi

The tea brands are "No.42 Tirebolu Cayi" , "Altinbas" and "Rize Turist"

The first one,in the blue box, is not available everywhere.

Combination of the first two gives the best results according to a Caykur employee I met at a wholesale market.

Livinright

Thank you, Othechelebi! Exactly what I was looking to know. I know I will enjoy both!! I will not order apple tea

Thank you for the brand recommedations for both coffe and tea. I will definately find them and bring some home. Exactly the type of tip every traveller loves to get. My greatest appreciation!

So looking forward to my trip!

Croesus

When ordering a Turkish coffee, you need to specify how sweet you want it - http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/d...ishCoffee.html

Livinright

Thank you, Croesus!

I can see me now trying to order my coffee.....

After reading the TTP coffee page (great), I'm wondering if it is an easy thing in coffee shops to watch them preparing the Turkish coffee? Any recommended coffee shops in Istanbul?

Can anyone recommend a good vacuum sealed container for travel through customs?

emily71

Oh do try the apple tea-Yes it is touristy but so good and you are after all a tourist.

Second-You can order Turkish coffee any time, I usually had it in the afternoon. Best way it is served is with a small glass of water and a piece of Turkish Delight on the side.

We found the cheapest sets of Paschbace tea glasses and saucers in a supermarket in Kadikoy.

sparkchaser

<i>Can anyone recommend a good vacuum sealed container for travel through customs?</i>

Why? Buy a package and it will be sealed already.

otherchelebi

Sorry sparkchaser, the freshly ground coffee at Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi does not come vacuum sealed at location. Although you can buy their vacuum sealed packs at supermarkets or buy the 250 gram (or 500 gram) box, they are not as tasty as the one they ground, measure and pack in a frenzy in front of your eyes to a never ending but very fast moving queue of customers.

Pasabahce produces many different styles and qualities of glasses, Their price depends on their shpe and quality. So cheap, unless on a special sale, may mean they are of low quality.

I also find the cheapest glasses too small and some of the most expensive ones too far removed from the traditional shapes.
My preference runs to the larger ones which still have a thin waistline (unlike my own waistline) If the bottoms are thick, they will probably balance better and last longer.

Finally, if you buy them at one of the many Pasabahce shops (google for addresses) the sales people are tremendous experts in packing them just right for taking with you (in terms of size, shape and safety)

Livinright, you are perfectly free to bring coffee with you to the United States and do not need to declare it. The vacuum sealing is for your pleasure and ease of packing. I would suspect any decent ground coffee container which would seal the freshness would do.

sparkchaser

That's interesting. I have never paid attention.

Croesus

"I can see me now trying to order my coffee..."

I go for the "Bir az şekerli kahve istiyorum lütfen".