The Rich Legacy of Black Coffee : How Ottomans Influenced The Nizams

I just returned from a short break from Istanbul and was really intrigued with their culture of drinking copious amount of coffee and tea and the indigenous alcoholic drink Raki. I always used to think tea was a more popular beverage across the region?but was surprised to know that coffee predates tea in the region by a few centuries. All thanks to The Ottomans , an influential empire that spanned centuries, left an indelible mark on various aspects of culture and trade and also had a direct influence on the coffee drinking culture in India.

One such area profoundly impacted by Ottoman influence was the Deccan region in India, ruled by the Nizams. Today we try to explore how the Ottomans introduced this aromatic beverage to the Deccan and how it became an integral part of the region's culture and heritage.

The Ottoman Empire, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, valued coffee as a beverage of great significance. By the 16th century, coffeehouses had become vibrant social spaces, fostering intellectual discussions, entertainment, and leisurely activities. The Ottomans' appreciation for coffee and their well-established trade routes played a crucial role in spreading this beverage to different parts of the world.

In the 18th century, the Nizams, rulers of the Deccan region in southern India, held sway over a vast and prosperous kingdom. The Nizams maintained strong diplomatic and trade relations with the Ottoman Empire, establishing an enduring bond between the two regions. This connection facilitated the exchange of ideas, cultural practices, and commodities, including the beloved black coffee.

The Nizams, enamoured by the Ottoman coffee culture, eagerly embraced the introduction of black coffee to the Deccan. It is believed that the Nizams' fondness for coffee was ignited during their visits to the Ottoman Empire or through interactions with Ottoman envoys and traders. They soon recognized the value of this aromatic brew and its potential as a status symbol.

Influenced by the Ottoman model, coffeehouses started to spring up across the Deccan region, particularly in cities like Hyderabad, the capital of the Nizams. These establishments became social and intellectual hubs, attracting poets, writers, scholars, and people from various walks of life. The coffeehouses provided a platform for conversations, cultural exchanges, and artistic endeavours, contributing to the vibrancy of the Deccan's social fabric.

Under the Nizams' patronage, black coffee, locally known as "Kothi Kaapi," acquired its distinct identity in the Deccan. The preparation process involved roasting high-quality Arabica coffee beans until they turned dark and aromatic. The finely ground coffee was then brewed using a traditional coffee pot called a "brass tumbler." The resulting strong and invigorating coffee, often served in small cups called "tumbler glasses," became synonymous with Deccani hospitality.

While there’s not much documented evidence as to who added Milk for the first time to this glorious beverage (and spoilt it) but the general direction everyone seemed to point is the English. Today across the Deccan Filter Kaapi and Kothi Kaapi is popular and the go to drink for everyone. The legacy of black coffee and the Ottoman influence on Deccani culture continue to resonate to this day, as it remains an essential element of Hyderabadi cuisine and hospitality. #coffee #ottoman #turkey #istanbul #hyderabad #blackcoffee