If you have ever visited Greece, you must have tried at least once a cup of strong traditional Greek coffee. This kind of coffee is very famous in Greece, not only because of its strong flavor and aroma, but also because of its historical and cultural background.
In this post, we are going to present you 5 facts that you probably didn’t know about the famous Greek Coffee.
Greek coffee wasn’t always called this way. In fact, Greeks used to call it Turkish coffee until the early 1960s, when the relations between the two counties started deteriorating. Especially after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, Greece permanently established “Greek coffee” as the politically correct name for the coffee.
If you want to prepare some Greek coffee of your own, you should be equipped with a briki, a long-handled Greek coffee maker. The process requires low heat and lots of stirring, until an outer ring of foam is shaped. That’s the most important part of the Greek coffee making, the so called kaimaki and it’s a matter of detail and caution to get it right.
Research studies have shown, that due to its polyphenols and antioxidants, Greek coffee is very healthy and can actually contribute to longevity. The study was focused on the local inhabitants of Ikaria, a Greek island with the highest longevity levels in the world.
Greek coffee is closely attached to local culture and tradition. Greeks serve their traditional coffee in a thick cup for a useful reason. It should stay the longest possible. Locals drink coffee to relax, socialize, discuss about their everyday lives and debate on politics.
Another interesting traditional practice is the so called Greek coffee tasseography. After most of the coffee is consumed, the grounds sitting at the bottom of the cup are interpreted by coffee readers, who may link these symbols to future and fortune telling.