The reference to
"Turkish / Greek coffee" and the reaction in the
χωριό (Greek for "village") touches on the long-standing cultural and political tensions between Greece and Turkey, particularly in how each country claims ownership over certain shared traditions—one of the most famous being their style of coffee.
Turkish vs. Greek Coffee: The Same But Different
- The brewing method for both Greek coffee (ελληνικός καφές) and Turkish coffee (Türk kahvesi) is identical. Finely ground coffee is boiled in a small pot (briki in Greek, cezve in Turkish) with water and sometimes sugar, then poured unfiltered into a small cup.
- The key difference? The name. In Greece, calling it "Turkish coffee" will get you dirty looks—or worse—because of historical conflicts, particularly the Ottoman rule over Greece and the tensions over Cyprus.
- Likewise, in Turkey, calling it "Greek coffee" might be seen as revisionist and disrespectful.
Why Would They "Take You Out Back and Shoot You"?
This is obviously hyperbole, but it reflects the strong nationalistic sentiment surrounding the name. In a
traditional Greek village (χωριό), ordering "Turkish coffee" could be seen as an insult or provocation. Similarly, in Turkey, calling it "Greek coffee" might not go over well.
Historical Context: The Renaming of Coffee
- Prior to the mid-20th century, Greek coffee was simply called "Turkish coffee" in Greece, as the Ottomans introduced it.
- After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, nationalist sentiment in Greece and Cyprus led to an official rebranding as "Greek coffee."
- Other countries have their own versions—Armenian coffee, Cypriot coffee, Bosnian coffee, Arabic coffee, etc.—all nearly identical but reflecting national identity
Moral of the Story?
If you're in Greece, order "Greek coffee."
If you're in Turkey, order "Turkish coffee."
If you're elsewhere, just order
that really strong coffee with the grounds at the bottom and avoid a diplomatic incident.
