135-year-old smoky Turkish coffee culture at Bursa’s Fidan Han

The smoky coffee culture, dating back to the 1890s in Erzurum, continues to flourish in Bursa’s historic Fidan Han.

This unique coffee, known for its floating grounds, is prepared in a cup over an open flame and attracts both local and international tourists.

135-year Turkish coffee legacy survives in Bursa

In a shop within the 600-year-old Fidan Han in Bursa, a 135-year-old coffee tradition lives on. The smoky coffee, originally created by Esat Efendi in the 1890s for caravans passing through Erzurum, is made from a blend of 12 different plant extracts.

The coffee gets its name from the soot formed around the cup when heated over a fire. Baycan Budak, a descendant of Esat Efendi, stated: “Smoky coffee was made by my grandfather Esat Efendi for camel caravans in the 1890s. The name comes from the soot formed by the fire’s smoke around the cup.”

Turkish coffee with unique feature

Budak highlighted the international recognition of coffee. “We prepare our coffee in a cup. It contains extracts from 12 flowers, which prevents the grounds from sinking.

Drinkers enjoy both the grounds and the liquid simultaneously, enhancing their experience. Our coffee’s fame has grown both domestically and internationally, with significant interest from major cities and tourists.”

Is Turkish smoky coffee trademarked?

To preserve the authenticity of smoky coffee, Budak and his team have taken measures to prevent counterfeits. Budak explained: “We have secured the brand trademark. When the brand started gaining recognition, we registered its name to prevent imitations. There are attempts to replicate our coffee, but none match the original. Those wanting to experience genuine smoky coffee can visit the historic Fidan Han in Bursa.”

This historic coffee tradition continues to draw attention, maintaining its status as a cultural symbol and a unique taste experience in Bursa.

However, this unique Turkish coffee is not the only beverage you can enjoy in Türkiye!