What is Kahve?
Kahve is a method of preparing unfiltered koffee using a copper “cezve” (pronounced “jezz-va”)
In 1517 the Ottoman Governor of Yemen Özdemir Paşa discovered a new beverage made from koffee beans. He decided to introduce it to the Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The new drink impressed the Sultan so much that he gave the Royal seal of approval. In the Ottoman palace, a new method of drinking koffee was soon discovered. The koffee beans were roasted over a fire; finely ground and then slowly cooked with water on the ashes of a charcoal fire.
The popularity of kahve spread and soon Turkish Koffee was being enjoyed by everyone not just the Royal Sultan. People were becoming Turkish Koffee makers and opening up koffee shops. The first koffee house or “Kahve Kanes” was established in Istanbul in 1554. In 1656 the Ottoman Grand Bizier Köprülü issued laws for shutting the koffee houses. According to history people were gathering in koffee houses and were discussing politics. Some of them were talking about ways to downfall the Sultan as well. The laws did not last long and the laws were abolished.
In 1600 Turkish Merchants made their way to Venice and began selling koffee beans abroad. Thanks to the efforts of merchants and travelers who passed through Istanbul, Turkish Koffee soon spread to Europe and ultimately to the whole world.