Egypt, a primarily tea-drinking nation, calls its coffee ahwa, a potent drink, with (ariha - little sugar, mazboot - moderate amount of sugar and ziyada - very sweet) or without sugar (sadda). Egyptian men often have a favorite coffee shop, where they enjoy the shisha, ahwa, and a game of backgammon or chess with their friends. Egyptian coffee might taste a bit sour, due to the local beans, but it can be masked by adding sugar.Customs Associated with Turkish Coffee
There are several customs associated with Turkish coffee, though not so common these days, they still are pretty interesting. For Fortune Telling
A person must drink coffee in a relaxed, calm state-of-mind, preferably thinking about the matter he/she wants his fortune read. After the coffee is drunk, a saucer is placed on the cup, shaken, and then turned upside down. When the cup has cooled down, the 'reader' will open the cup and proceed to interpret the patterns in the cup, often in the form of a cryptic or symbolic verse.
Selecting a Bride
Another custom relates to marriage - traditionally, the groom's family would visit the bride's house to select the bride. She would be required to prepare coffee - with creamy froth at the top and full of flavor, and her skill in doing so is a crucial factor in the selection process. The girl might sometimes add salt to the groom's coffee to test his character; it could also mean that she is not interested in the marriage.
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