Kurdish coffee facts for kids

A coffee-like beverage made from the roasted fruit of the terebinth or "turpentine tree"

Kurdish coffee (Kurdish: Qehweya Kurdî or Qehweya Kezwanan) or menengiç coffee (Turkish: menengiç kahvesi), meaning pistachio coffee or terebinth coffee, is a traditional hot beverage in Kurdish and Turkish cuisine. It is made of ground roasted terebinth fruits (related to the pistachio) as the main ingredient, and is caffeine-free. It is particularly popular in parts of southeastern Anatolia.

History

The beverage has been produced in areas including Diyarbakır, Adıyaman, Mardin, and Batman for over a hundred years. The roasted and ground berries have been exported to Europe and around the world since the early 20th century. It is also considered a traditional specialty of Gaziantep.

In recent years, the processed berries in the form of an oily paste have appeared as a branded product in cans or jars.