There are countless legends about coffee traditions. Somewhere they adored coffee, somewhere they called it a drink of temptation. All this suggests that he was perceived as a kind of treasure. And how did this drink take root in the countries where the main coffee lovers live today - in Turkey and Italy?
Turkish coast
One writer, having visited Turkey, once said that wherever you are - in the mountains or in stuffy hamams, in the field, at home or in the library - you should shout the word "Coffee!" and a hot and aromatic drink will appear in front of you, the taste of which you cannot forget. And this is not surprising. Coffee was brought here back in 1555, and since then the Turks have mastered its preparation so much that they are able to recreate a unique old recipe. By the way, no one has ever kept it a secret, but Europeans, with all their efforts, cannot repeat this taste.
Turkish coffee is a unique phenomenon. For the first time in history, the drink became the engine of progress. "Madness!" - you say? "Fact" - we will answer! Even in ancient times, the spread of coffee in the Ottoman Empire gave impetus to the development of crafts, because it became part of a unique ritual for which new exquisite dishes were needed. And the emergence of coffee houses led to the flourishing of creative thought: in noisy rooms saturated with aromas of spices and sweet desserts, disputes, creative ideas were born, new bold theories appeared in the discussion of books … So coffee became a symbol of hospitality, and the proverb “one cup of coffee is remembered for forty years”is still in use here.
To this day, not a single reception, not a single feast, and not even a single political event is complete without a skillfully prepared espresso. It's amazing how Turkey's ancient traditions of coffee ceremonies and modern surroundings are harmoniously combined. During such ceremonies, it is necessary not only to properly prepare a drink, but also to set the table beautifully and serve delicious treats.
According to the rules, coffee is brewed in a Turk over low heat for about 20 minutes, not allowing it to boil. The first sign of the readiness of the drink is foam on the surface. According to tradition, it should be drunk without sugar, certainly supplemented with oriental sweets: crumbly halva, fragrant baklava, candied fruits. However, many modern residents like to drink sweet coffee. Turkish coffee shops often use a variety of spices to prepare the classic espresso.
Agree, many of us in this long winter want to find ourselves in a Turkish coffee house, taste the most delicate baklava and complement it with aromatic coffee. And thanks to Nespresso, which has released a limited collection of Coffe houses blends, this becomes possible. Blend Café İstanbul will help you immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere. You can shout at home: "Coffee!" - and in a couple of seconds a drink with an exotic oriental taste will appear in your cup, which will open with bright notes of black pepper and take you to the heart of Turkey - mysterious Istanbul.
All roads lead to Italy
From Turkey (or rather, from the Ottoman Empire) coffee came … to fabulous Italy in the 16th century. This drink delighted the residents, and many coffee houses began to appear in Venice. Now it has turned from a medicine into a drink for the Venetian nobility. However, after a while, when coffee plantations appeared in European colonies, the availability of the drink increased.
Now Italy is a country where coffee is practically elevated to a cult. Most of all modern Italians adore lungo. According to local residents, it tastes even better than espresso.
In Italy, although they love the classic method of cooking, at the same time, the owners of local coffee houses are very proud of their original recipes that delight visitors with the aromas of cinnamon, cardamom and other spices. All kinds of coffee and dairy drinks in Italy are also very fond of, because it was here that cappuccino was invented. However, they usually order it no later than 11 o'clock in the afternoon, supplementing with a croissant or brioche cake.
Drinking coffee with milk after dinner is considered bad manners. If a local wants something unusual, he can always order the traditional nutty caffè allnocciol - espresso with hazelnut cream and thick foam, and in the north - marocchino, which is an inverted cappuccino with cocoa powder. Caffè d'orzo, an espresso made from barley, is also popular among the locals.
Some Italians visit coffee houses several times: in the morning to taste a cup of velvet cappuccino, in the afternoon to cheer up with a rich espresso or lungo, and in the evening - to have a relaxing coffee and milkshake.
If an Italian wants to enjoy homemade espresso, then the traditional Italian moka coffee maker will help him. It is easy to use and inexpensive. Moka makes coffee quickly, but requires skill, so it should not be overexposed on the fire. But as a reward, you can get a drink with a divine aroma and amazing taste.
Almost everyone in Italy loves coffee. Here, from time immemorial, they believe in its miraculousness and drink in liters. But the main condition is that the drink must be prepared with soul and good mood, and the company must be pleasant. And if the guests drink it with pleasure, it will be an Italian coffee ceremony.
Sometimes we all miss the Italian flavor in life. Films, books, desserts, coffee - all this helps us to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of this beautiful country for a short time. So forget about everything for a couple of hours, turn on a romantic movie and make yourself a cup of exquisite drink using the Nespresso Caffè Venezi blend from the Coffee houses collection. The multifaceted fruity character of the scent, complemented by musky and floral notes, will set you in a romantic mood and take you to Italy.
Photo: Getty Images
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