A beverage, centuries old, steeped in ritual and history, and savored slowly in tiny, delicate cups, coffee forms an essential part of Turkish culture.  Our latest Culinary Adventure takes us on a journey to the Ottoman Empire, where an elaborate coffee culture was enthusiastically embraced upon the arrival of coffee beans from Ethiopia and Yemen.

Türk kahvesi (Turkish coffee) is primarily enjoyed in coffee-houses where people meet to converse, share news, and read books.  A symbol of hospitality, friendship, and entertainment, the tradition permeates all walks of life and was added to UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/turkish-coffee-culture-and-tradition-00645)

A Turkish proverb states that drinking a cup of coffee with a stranger becomes the start of a beautiful forty-year friendship.  Archaeology Now invites you to join with us to celebrate friendship and history on World Turkish Coffee Day, December 5 and delight in a brew that reaches across time.

Your virtual journey includes a beautiful short documentary filmed in Turkey describing the many different types of coffee found across Turkey.  The screening of the documentary will be followed by a demonstration of coffee-making by Gizem, the "Turkish Coffee Lady."  Attendees can follow along with Gizem to learn the skills to make Turkish coffee at home.  After enjoying our coffee, we will read our fortunes!