Kurdish coffee
Hot drink made from ground terebinth fruits
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kurdish coffee (Kurdish: (قاوەی کوردی) Qehweya Kurdî or Qehweya Kezwanan[1] or qazwan in Iraqi Kurdistan[2]) or menengiç coffee (Turkish: menengiç kahvesi), meaning pistachio coffee or terebinth coffee, is a traditional hot beverage in Kurdish[3][4][5][6] and Turkish cuisine.[7][8][9][10] It is made of ground roasted terebinth fruits (related to the pistachio) as the main ingredient, and is caffeine-free.[3][9] It is particularly popular in parts of Southeastern Anatolia.[11]
History
The beverage has been produced in historically Kurdish areas including Diyarbakır, Adıyaman, Mardin, Batman and Gaziantep for over a hundred years, with the latter of whom it is considered a traditional specialty.[12] also having obtained the geographical indication certificate for "Gaziantep Menengiç Coffee". It is considered a traditional speciality of Gaziantep where it is used as a home remedy for colds.[12] The remains of wild pistachios have been found at the Neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe, two hours east of Gaziantep.[2]
The roasted and ground berries have been exported to Europe and around the world since the early 20th century.[5] Although it contains neither coffee beans nor caffeine, it is known as coffee because seeds of Menengiç are roasted and cooked like Turkish coffee.[13]
In recent years, the processed berries in the form of an oily paste have appeared as a branded product in cans or jars.[9][additional citation(s) needed]
