Get ready to travel back in time and explore the intriguing 500-year-old divination practice that has captured the imaginations of people around the world.
Coffee fortune telling, also known as tasseography, is an ancient practice that involves interpreting patterns and symbols created by the coffee grounds within a cup that reveals a glimpse into the future. This divination technique is exclusively associated with the world’s oldest coffee brewing style, Turkish coffee. Carefully crafted with finely ground beans and served unfiltered in small cups, Turkish coffee allows its sediment to settle at the bottom. Once this unique cup of coffee is consumed and turned upside down, the sediment creates abstract shapes and patterns that can be uniquely interpreted by a skilled fortune teller.
Legend has it that the Ottoman harem women were the first to indulge in coffee fortune telling as a way to pass the time and gain insight into their personal and others’ destiny. In the 16th century, as the world’s first cafes mushroomed in the Ottoman capital Constantinople, present day Istanbul, fortune telling became an essential part of the emerging coffee culture.
In Europe, coffee fortune-telling became popular in the 19th century Victorian era, as coffeehouses began to emerge across the continent. Victorian era society was fascinated with the idea of divination and the supernatural, and coffee fortune telling, fit right in with this trend.
Today, this captivating practice remains a source of intrigue for people from all walks of life. Each symbol and shape that a fortune teller intuitively perceives within a cup, carries a distinct meaning and significance that is derived from centuries old practice. For instance, a fish represents abundance and good fortune, a tree symbolizes growth and stability, and a crescent moon indicates new beginnings or fresh starts.
Whether you believe in fortune telling or not, it’s a fascinating and traditional way to experience coffee. With its rich aroma and the authentic symbols that are revealed within, every new cup of Turkish coffee ultimately becomes a journey of discovery and entertainment.
Plus it’s also a great way to connect with friends and loved ones, fostering socialization and sparking conversations that will keep you talking long after the last sip.
So why settle for an ordinary cup of coffee when you can also enjoy the excitement and mystery of Turkish coffee fortune telling…