The perfect coffee should be “black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.” Turkish proverb
Sometimes we think that to see the world we need a plane ticket and a packed suitcase (I’d love that, but for now, the budget is a bit tight). However, I’ve realized that coffee is, in fact, our best passport. It is a connector of souls; the way we prepare it and the moments we choose to drink it say more about our culture than any history book ever could.
A few days ago, without straying far from my routine, I managed to travel to the other side of the ocean. I attended an open-house event at the Yunus Emre Institute, a corner of my city dedicated to keeping the flame of Turkish culture alive. And, of course, amid the music, painting, and conversation, the true protagonist could not be missed: their coffee.
The Dance of the Sand
I must confess, I was mesmerized watching the process. I had seen it on travel blogs before, but seeing it in person is almost alchemical. There are no paper filters or noisy machines; just an Arabica variety ground so fine it looks like dust, prepared over a griddle filled with silica sand. Watching how the heat of the sand envelops the pot, making the coffee rise in seconds, is a spectacle that forces you to slow down and just observe.
In that moment, I understood that for them, coffee isn’t "quick energy" to keep working; it is intimacy, trust, and that familiarity you only feel when you are among friends.
The First Sip
I had my doubts about such a fine grind. I thought that because it wasn't filtered, it might feel uncomfortable on the palate, but I was completely wrong. At the first sip, I discovered a smooth, deeply aromatic flavor with a natural sweetness that surprised me.
Although it is very common to pair it with a sugar cube to contrast its strength, I decided to drink it black. I wanted to experience it exactly as it is. It’s a full-bodied drink, yet it glides down with incredible delicacy and a charming, fresh aroma, leaving a sense of calm after every swallow.
Reflections of a City Traveler
I left there thinking about how a single bean can contain so much history and connect the world. It reminded me that, even if we are in different places, we are all looking for the same thing over a hot drink: a moment of connection. That afternoon, surrounded by the aroma of coffee freshly brewed in the sand, I felt a little bit closer to Istanbul or Ankara—much more connected to the beauty of the unknown and excited for everything I have yet to discover.
If you ever have the chance to come across this ritual, don’t let it pass you by. It is a necessary pause for the soul and a beautiful thing to share with friends.