Coffee Hop!, a New Release, and Betty Ren Wright

Coffee, coffee, coffee! I love coffee!

As a Turkish Anglophile, I keep trying to like tea. I drink it the Turkish way, and I've tried it the English way, with milk, but... I just can't do it. It simply doesn't taste as good as a shot of espresso with steamed milk, or a 'perfect cup' (where the filter is set directly over the mug and hot water's poured over the coffee grounds and filters directly into the mug. Yes, there's a proper name for this, but I can't remember it).

I do love a Turkish tea with simit (sort of like a bagel), though!



But back to coffee. Why all this coffee talk, you ask? Because Michael's hosting a bloghop on Friday!



I'm a little early, but that's because I've already had a few lattes... I love coffee!

I mean, look at this happy row of lattes!



Look at this yummy coffee!



My favourite is actually a flat white, as they call it in New Zealand, apparently. No foam at all, just steamed milk over espresso. I Googled public domain images for flat white, and for some reason this guy came up:



I could have a saucer of milk ready for him, if he wanted to snuggle while I sip my coffee...

And then, of course, there's Turkish coffee!

Contrary to what people might think, it's not bitter at all. Especially not if you make it with sugar (though I don't). Here's a quick how-to:

Find a cezve (any local 'ethnic' shop, whether Lebanese or Arabic or Armenian, should have some).



Find a Turkish cup (because this is the only way I know how to measure the water), which is a wee thing about three fingers high.



And find a Turkish teaspoon, which is half the size of a North American teaspoon. Also, you need your coffee ground as finely as possible. The blend or roast doesn't matter too much; you could use some of Michael's Colombian coffee! Just make sure it's ground very fine; a number 1 on most coffee shop grinders or, if you ask for Turkish grind, they ought to know what you mean.

Cezve, cup, spoon, coffee, and sugar if you want it. This all works on an electric stove, but it's better over a gas flame. Heck, I suppose you could do it over the fire if you're camping!

Directions for Making Turkish Coffee: Measure one heaping teaspoon of coffee per person and a level teaspoon of sugar per person, if adding, into the cezve.
Then fill coffee cup with water and add that water to the coffee (and sugar) in the cezve (one cupful per person).
Stir with the teaspoon to dissolve the coffee and place cezve over medium heat/flame. Watch it until it just begins to bubble and boil.
Once it starts to boil, pour a bit into the cup(s), just enough to coat the bottom. Return cezve to flame and let it boil again. Pour some more into the cup(s). Repeat a third time.
On third boil, pour the rest into the cup(s). Serve with a glass of water and maybe a square of Turkish delight on the side.
Drink all the liquid, leaving the sludge on the bottom. Invert your saucer over your cup, and flip, so that the cup is now upside on the saucer.
Wait till it cools, then lift the cup and read your fortune from the shapes you see. If there's a half moon in the liquid on your saucer, that's good luck!



Meanwhile, guess what? Tara has an erotic novella coming out on Monday! Visit her blog and check out the cover for Hands-on Therapy. Can't wait for this release!

In sad news, author Betty Ren Wright has passed away. I found out yesterday, through Scholastic's Twitter feed. Appropriate, really, since it was through a Scholastic book order that I got the two Wright books I've read, Christina's Ghost and A Ghost in the Window. I wonder what made me choose them from the catalogue? Having loved them, I wonder why I didn't get more? She's written over 30 books, plus short stories and board books! The most well-known of her novels, apparently, is The Dollhouse Murders. I'm going to reread the two I have, and then maybe start to get some more, probably from Abebooks. I tried Alibris, but they don't offer free shipping to Canada. The books cost about 1.50$ each, but then they charge you 20$ shipping per book!

This week is Get Real on the Internet Week, hosted by Real Simple magazine.
"For every day until Friday, we're encouraging people to be completely honest when they post on social media. Real Simple staffers (starting with yours truly) are no exception — we'll kick things off with unfiltered glimpses of our own lives on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. What you see might scare you. Or make you feel a lot better about yourself. Or a little bit of both.

So if you want a dose of reality on social media, join us by using the hashtag #rsgetreal. Then visit RealSimple.com for more, including a hilarious caption game where you can tell us what's really happening in those annoyingly perfect Facebook pictures, plus a photo album of Kodak moments gone awry."
I just might post some photos of renovations at my house, which happen to be progressing more slowly than I'd like to let on...

What unfiltered photos would you share?
Which Scholastic authors do you love?
Are you a tea person, a coffee person, or neither?
Perhaps you'd prefer some single malt, in honour of the just-release trailer for Outlander!

Comments

Sorry, I don't drink either coffee or tea. I'm a water person.
Tui Snider said…
As a former barista who owned a coffeehouse, I love, love, love a good cup of coffee. There are so many great ways to brew and enjoy it. Thanks for the great tutorial on making Turkish coffee. While I've brewed it before, I never knew the proper name for a cezve. (How do you pronounce that?) What a great word for my next bout of Words with Friends. Dang... if it weren't so late, I'd go brew a cup right now. I really want to try your directions out. Anyway, just wanted to pop by from the Row80 gang and cheer you on with your writing goals! :) ~Tui
Unknown said…
I'm not a coffee drinker, but now I want to try Turkish coffee!

Sad to hear about Betty Ren Wright. I read Dollhouse Murders, but haven't read any of her others. Like you, I think I'll have to check them out!
Lara said…
Ahhh...coffee...how I crave some right now. Until my assistant comes in, I can't leave my students to run to the coffee shop downstairs to get some. Only an hour more to wait. Thanks for showing me one more way to make that nectar of the gods.
Anonymous said…
Ah, what a lovely post! YES to coffee! In all forms! In the mornings, I really MUST have a large cup of strong, black coffee, but I'm a sucker for a good latte... or an espresso... okay, for anything with coffee in it.
I never take sugar, but I could actually imagine making an exceptiong with that Turkish version... The recipe reminds me a bit about my granny, who used to boil her coffee on the stove. Few things can beat that taste, it's just so incredibly... divine!
TL said…
Thanks so much for the link-love. :)
S.P. Bowers said…
I loved Christina's Ghost, and The Dollhouse Murders growing up! They still freak me out a little. Maybe I'll reread those in her honor.
Anonymous said…
Hi, Deniz. Thanks for sharing the directions on how to make Turkish coffee.
Jack said…
I like coffee only if it has so much flavour or sugar it is no longer coffee, but I've been wanting to try Turkish coffee for a long while now. You've made it sound even better!
This is a fun blog hop. I didn't join in since I don't drink coffee much but I plan on reading the posts of those who are doing it.
Nicki Elson said…
Thanks for the pics. That "flat white" is adorable. Turkish coffee sounds lovely...I think I'll wait 'til next time at a Turkish restaurant---or even better Turkey!---to order some, because once the directions go beyond 3 lines, I'm out.

Happy Friday!
Wow that's some post. Love it. I'm going in for my third cup as I write.
Anonymous said…
Oh what a cute little cub! Your Turkish coffee recipe sounds delicious!
Your Turkish coffee sounds a bit like Creole coffee which packs quite a punch! Love the white little cub. :-)
Michael Di Gesu said…
Hi, Deniz...

How cool to give us ALL directions on how to make Turkish Coffee.... It IS quite the process. It's amazing the lengths we go to, to create the perfect cup of coffee. LOL.

Some of my favorite coffee times were in Montreal. Sitting at that adorable cafe a few blocks from my hotel every morning and afternoon (around 4pm) sipping my latte.... Hmmmmm.

Thanks so much for sharing and taking part in the HOP!!!

alberta ross said…
I like some coffee but not Turkish - at least I didn't when I was over there - being an old Brit I am mainly a tea drinker - drink it black which is the result of influences when I traveled abroad - and chai as served high in the Hindu Kush well no words:)
Unknown said…
Great recipe, I'm going to have to try it. I love coffee and I've learned so much about Turkey, I'd love to visit and immerse myself for a decade.
Unknown said…
Huge congrats to Tara, I hope she has success galore.:)
I love coffee and tea, hot and iced. The terrible cold of last week and that coming next week just makes it so much better.
cleemckenzie said…
I love that Turkish coffee. The spoon stands straight up, making stirring so easy.
D.G. Hudson said…
Thanks for the lesson on Turkish coffee. I never tried it, but yes,I've heard it was thick, which wouldn't appeal to me. If not, I may try it someday.

Espressos in Paris were a nice surprise. They were better. . .than what I've had locally.
Liza said…
I am a filter-over-the cup girl, myself. Fresh ground beans, of course! You pictures are killing me, as I actually haven't had a cup today!
Shell Flower said…
I love a pour-over coffee, plus it's just so easy, but Turkish coffee is amazing. Great of you to post the recipe! And I can't wait to see Outlander--reading Drogonfly in Amber (book 2) right now and lovin' it.
Robin said…
I've never tried Turkish coffee, but I am now intrigued.
Deniz Bevan said…
That's perfect, Alex - you can have the water and I'll have Turkish coffee! Well, but I like water too...

Thanks so much, Tui! Hmm, I'm trying to think what cezve rhymes with... Kind of like Jez in Jezebel + ve as in very.

Funny, that's one I haven't read Lara. I'd like to get some from abebooks or alibris but the shipping is expensive!

I crave some too, Lara!
Deniz Bevan said…
I think that must be Italian, cat, I've seen Italian friends brew coffee on the stove!

Happy to do it, Tara!

I just reread The Ghost in the Window, Sara.

Thanks for coming by Suzanne!
Deniz Bevan said…
Maybe we should have a tea hop too, Jack!

Come visit, Nicki, I'll make some!

Thanks Cathrina and M. J. and Roland!
Deniz Bevan said…
Thanks for hosting us, Michael!

I do like black tea, alberta... just not as much :-)

Come visit next time I'm there, Melissa!

I agree, Susan, hot drinks are lovely in the cold weather.

Thanks C Lee!
Deniz Bevan said…
Mmm, wish I had an espresso now, D. G.!

Love the smell of fresh ground beans, Liza!

Ooh, isn't the Outlander universe wonderful, Shell?

Hope you get a chance soon, Robin!
Pat Hatt said…
Water is all I drink at my zoo, but that means more for you
Deniz Bevan said…
Water's good too!
Very refreshing :-)
Christine Rains said…
I don't drink tea or coffee. I like my water filtered and cold! I don't know if I'd share any unfiltered photos of myself. It's hard enough just letting myself post one that I tried 100 times to take!
Deniz Bevan said…
I'm with you, Christine! I shared a photo of my messy coffee table but not one of me!
Sherry Ellis said…
You certainly know a lot about coffee! Like Alex, I'm a water person.
Crystal Collier said…
Goodness, woman! If I were a coffee drinker, I think this would be a bookmarked post. I like herbal tea, but the best beverage (other than water) is American apple cider. Mmm... Give me that and a wedge of cheese, and I'm totally good to go.
Deniz Bevan said…
Thanks Sherry!

Mmm, cheese. I want some too, Crystal!