Introduction:Turkish coffee is not only famous for its unique flavor but also carries a mysterious divination culture. This article takes you deep into the divination tradition originating from the 16th-century Ottoman royal court, covering everything from the steps of making the coffee, the divination ritual, to detailed interpretations of coffee grounds patterns. It teaches you how to recreate an authentic experience at home and decode the ever-changing patterns on the cup and saucer, satisfying your curiosity about fortune and coffee culture.
Modern young people often claim “I don’t believe in the occult,” yet can’t resist trying various forms of divination. A Turkish coffee shop in Nanshan, Shenzhen, named JoJo’s, quickly went viral on social media for offering coffee divination services. This ancient custom can actually be traced back to the 16th-century Ottoman palace, where concubines often used coffee grounds for divination to pass the time or gossip. If you’d like to try it at home, all you need is a Turkish coffee pot to brew a strong cup of coffee. Once you’ve finished drinking down to the bottom, place a saucer upside down on the cup, let it sit, and observe the patterns formed by the coffee grounds to catch a glimpse of the future.
Though not mainstream, Turkish coffee attracts many young people who specifically visit for the experience, even sampling it just for the divination. This divination practice has a long history in the Turkish region. Even before the introduction of Islam, the local belief was originally Shamanism, and the culture of divination seeped in from there. The birth of Turkish coffee is also closely related to religion. The Sufi sect used coffee to stay alert during long nighttime prayers, and as the energizing effects of coffee became widely known, its consumption gradually became popular.
As the Arab Empire declined, the Ottoman Empire rose and conquered Egypt and East Africa, bringing the coffee culture back to the heart of the empire. Around 1555, the first coffeehouse appeared in Istanbul, and coffee gradually became an indispensable part of social life and daily routines. This city that straddles Europe and Asia also became an important gateway for spreading coffee to Europe. The intertwined cultures of divination and coffee drinking gave rise to the unique tradition of Turkish coffee divination, which first became popular within the royal court.
Recreating this mysterious ritual at home is not difficult—the key lies in using an authentic Turkish coffee pot (Cezve). To make it, pour cold water and coffee grounds into the copper pot, place it on a heating device, and slowly bring it to a boil. During the process, the coffee will produce rich foam. When the liquid is about to overflow, pour out some of the coffee into the cup first, then return the pot to the heat to continue boiling. Repeat this process several times to extract a strong flavor.
Turkish coffee has a strong taste, which not everyone can appreciate, but it is precisely this uniqueness that adds a sense of ritual to the divination. When you’re close to the bottom of the cup, you’ll notice the distinct presence of coffee grounds. At this point, place a saucer flat over the mouth of the cup, gently swirl it horizontally about three times, then turn it upside down and place a ring or coin on top to hold it in place. Let it cool for five to ten minutes before flipping it over to examine the patterns formed on the cup’s bottom and inside the saucer.
The focus of divination lies in interpreting two parts: the coffee grounds patterns on the saucer and the cup. If you see a large clump of coffee grounds on the saucer, it usually signifies that troubles are about to dissipate; if the patterns appear linear, resembling pathways, it may indicate that good fortune is on the way; if the patterns on the cup’s walls and those in the saucer connect seamlessly, it suggests that your wishes will come true.
Interpreting the cup can be done in multiple ways. A common method divides the cup into five areas: the handle side, front side, upper side, lower side, and bottom, corresponding to emotions, wealth, family, the present, and the future. The handle side is often associated with romantic life, the front side represents wealth, the bottom reflects family and daily life, the upper side symbolizes the current situation, and the lower side points to future developments. There’s also a simplified version that divides the cup by height into three parts: the bottom (past), middle (present), and top (future).
Key points of observation include the traces and patterns left by coffee grounds as they slide down the cup’s walls—for example, an angel pattern predicts good news, an arrow may suggest bad news, a heart shape represents love fortune, a cat or fox might warn of betrayal by someone close, an apple symbolizes longevity, and a snake is often an ominous sign. These patterns can help you interpret different aspects of life, and while not necessarily scientific, they offer spiritual solace and entertainment.
Many young people may not truly believe in the results of divination, yet they enjoy the anticipation and comfort the ritual brings. The same people who once advised their elders to steer clear of superstitions are now eager to try Turkish coffee divination—a true generational shift in trends. By learning about this long-standing tradition, you too can try brewing an authentic cup of Turkish coffee at home and explore the “messages of the future” hidden at the bottom of your cup and within your saucer.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
