There is nothing like this drink to quench the thirst
in Israel's hot climate. During the summer months (June through September)
people look for ways to overcome the effects of the heat. The natural
mint leaves which many Israelis grow at home are favored as a cooling
addition to tea and vegetable salads.
8 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. mint leaves
4 shakes lemon salt
5 cups boiling water
4 tea bags
In a teapot or carafe put sugar, tea bags, mint leaves, and lemon
salt. Add boiling water, cover and let steep.
Turkish coffee seems to taste best when prepared in
the traditional feenjan, but a deep saucepan will do, sized according
to how many cups you wish to make. Feenjans can be bought in Eastern
specialty shops the pot is wide at the bottom, narrow toward the top,
and has a long handle. Turkish coffee should be served in small cylindrical
cups; espresso cups are suitable.
The drinking of Turkish coffee has become part of the national folklore
in Israel. Songs have even been composed about the coffee and its feenjan
pot. Drinking it at the end of a meal or at any other time is a well-established
custom in Israel as it is in all parts of the Orient. In fact, in Israel,
coffee is the most popular beverage. When peace finally comes to the
region, there is no doubt that the historic event will be marked by
the drinking of cups of Turkish coffee.
1 tbs. finely ground Turkish coffee (available at stores specializing
in Middle Eastern foodstuffs and certain spice shops)
1 tsp. sugar (more or less depending on taste)
cardamom pods to taste
Thoroughly mix coffee and sugar in a feenjan or a saucepan. Add boiling
water (the measure of a serving cup plus a little more), stir well.
Add cardamom pods (experiment to achieve desired taste) and bring coffee
to a boil. When the foam on top begins to rise, remove coffee from heat
until it settles and repeat process. Pour into a coffee cup, spooning
in some foam. The coffee grounds will sink to the bottom of the cup;
do not stir them up. Serve immediately. Multiply this recipe by whatever
number is required for more than one cup and proceed as above. Serves
1.