Grounds for divorce…
March 31, 2005
People have been taking their coffee seriously for a long time. National Geographic plots some of the early history here.
Despite frequent efforts to restrict its use, coffee collected devout disciples as Islam’s influence pushed north and west.
Constantinople (now Istanbul) quickly acquired such a great thirst that Turkish law permitted a wife to divorce her husband for failing to keep the family ibrik, or pot, filled.
I can’t say I blame them, but then I’ve also been known to suggest capital punishment for people who drink the last cup out of a communal coffee pot and don’t make a fresh pot…
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Chuck Lawson · Filed Under 
I will have to dig around and find a photo of the coffee grinder that my mother bought while we were stationed Incerlik Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey. Its about the size of a half used roll of paper towels and its solild brass with beautiful engravings. I have no idea how old it is, but it still smells strongly of coffee.
If you have never had a cup of real turkish coffee you should give it a try at a good Turkish restaurant. They use a much finer grind than even expresso. Traditionally it is served in a very small china cup and you only drink the very top part of the liquid. You can add more water to the grit in the bottom and have a second cup if your an adventurist.
It is traditional for store owners to offer you chai (tea) or coffee when you enter the store. Today they are over run by horrible walmart type stores, but if you visit a rug store or brass store in Turkey you still get a great cup of coffee for free.
Here in Austin Texas you can get a very good cup at a very authentic Turkish Restaurant called Arrarat down on about 50th and Guadalope. They even include the traditional candy called lichee (sp?).
Winter Bear