A city without a café cannot be called a city, just as a village without a café cannot be called a village; this is a true reflection of old Cyprus. Immigrating to Cyprus, in its ever-present tenderness, embraces the beautiful memories of the past, and revisiting Cyprus’s coffee culture is indeed a wonderful experience.
Once, cafés occupied the memories of every Cypriot, affectionately referred to as "coffee." It was always filled with the rich aroma of coffee and held an extremely important place in people's lives; they respected and loved it. From commoners to dignitaries, people from all walks of life were its regular patrons. Gathering with three to five friends, ordering a cup of coffee. Most of the time, people would smoke shisha, exhaling clouds of smoke, enjoying leisurely conversations amidst the fragrant haze.
Strolling through the historic capital of Nicosia, one can see many traditional cafés. Just a few steps from the Kyrenia Gate, the first sight is "Sotiriou Coffee." This place was once a gathering spot for scholars, where the conversations of Doctor Koutchouk, journalist Yafas, printer Achif, and newspaper vendor Ken Lifat could still be faintly heard. Continuing straight towards Innele Square, one finds "Muzafire Coffee" and "Effie Coffee" run by Jemal Effie. Further ahead is "Gouso Coffee"—it seems one can see Doctor Koutchouk sitting in a rattan chair, each holding their ground in a debate with Gouso. Next to the police station is "Moulasan Coffee," bustling with people, including police officers, locals, and those coming to play billiards. Continuing forward, at Saraylu is "Mr. Hasim Coffee," where many come to smoke shisha. "Pehlivan Coffee" is located at Asma Aout, where storyteller Uncle Mustafa is a regular. Every evening, he arrives punctually, stays for an hour, reads, and discusses the latest happenings. The owner, wrestler Uncle Ahmet, is as famous as the café itself. Other well-known cafés in Nicosia include "Karabuyuk Coffee," "Ali Zafir Coffee," "Gulbahar Coffee," and "Tailor Coffee"...
If it were not for geographical constraints, Cyprus could have become a major coffee bean producing country. Unfortunately, the climate here is not suitable for cultivating coffee beans. Whether Greek or Turkish, the coffee consumed mainly comes from Brazil.
There is a poem in Cyprus that goes:
Heart
No need for coffee
Or cafés
Heart
Only need communication
Coffee is just an excuse
This does not mean that people do not need coffee and cafés, but rather that casual conversations and gatherings can never lack coffee. Cyprus has many famous sayings about coffee, such as "A cup of coffee, years of deep affection." In the rich aroma of coffee, people set aside doubts, open their hearts, step closer, and snuggle up little by little. Many times, coffee serves as an important medium for communication; it is a bond of kinship, a driving force for deepening friendships, and a torch that ignites love. Old friends meet, drinking coffee, exchanging pleasantries; family members gather, drinking coffee, showing care and concern; lovers meet, drinking coffee, expressing affection. Its taste is both bitter and sweet, distant and lingering, like a celestial melody, with echoes that remain long after the music ends, the aftertaste lingering on.
Coffee fortune-telling is also an important part of coffee culture. At lively parties, people often look to "Telve" fortune-telling. "Telve" refers to the practice of inverting the coffee cup after drinking, observing the patterns left by the coffee grounds. Many believe this indicates the direction of fate, and women especially believe in coffee fortune-telling.
Of course, not all women understand coffee fortune-telling. It is a skill, a talent. Some talented women who possess this skill often enjoy great fame in Cyprus. There are many small establishments in Cyprus that specifically offer coffee fortune-telling services. Women who do not appear in cafés are often far ahead of men in the art of fortune-telling. They are also the main participants in various coffee culture activities such as "Early Coffee," "Coffee Day," and "Coffee Gatherings." These colorful activities strengthen their relationships with neighbors and friends.
Traditional Cypriot women may not work, but they absolutely must understand coffee. Coffee is the healthiest stimulant. The coffee brewed by Cypriot women contains nothing but a deep affection, with no additives. However, the taste of this coffee is unparalleled. Neither modern brands of coffee, tea drinks, nor cocoa, chocolate, or vanilla-flavored beverages can compare.
A cup of frothy coffee on a tray, with sugar, low sugar, or no sugar, alongside a glass of cold water, makes any other delicacy pale in comparison. The aroma of coffee is the most familiar and warm natural perfume in every household.