Lower Providence Library Invites Patrons to a Turkish Delight

When drained of its steaming liquid, the remnants of Turkish Coffee grinds seem to create an abstract painting throughout the insides of its container, much in the same way snow drifts can paint a landscape.

But, to an expert in Tasseography, from which there is a Turkish tradition of coffee-grind reading, the grinds are not simply speckled excess around a cup and saucer, rather the grinds really do paint pictures or symbols, each with meaning that could reveal one’s fortune.

“A lot of things go into this,” Neslihan, a Tasseography expert, said with a smile.

Neslihan, who requested that her last name and photo not be used, is a local woman of Turkish decent.

She gave readings for the second time at the , Aug. 22, in its community room.

According to Meg Mozi, the library’s adult programming coordinator and cataloger, Neslihan’s return was by popular demand.

“I think it’s so interesting,” Mozi said. “I had a lot of people come to me and ask about it.”

Diverse Programming for Library’s Adult Patrons

Mozi said that the library is seeking to bolster its adult program offerings, and is looking toward increasing its cultural programs as a way to reflect the library’s growing cultural and diverse interests among patrons.

According to Mozi, the library’s well-attended adult programs have focused on finances or entertainment. Recently, other well-attended programs included a Buddhist light ceremony and cultural celebrations from India.

When Neslihan, who represents the local busines The Steaming Cup Readings, approached Mozi last year about holding a Turkish Coffee Reading, Mozi said she readily accepted, and so did the library patrons.

According to Mozi, she had a waiting list for appointments last year. This year, over 20 participants signed up, with a waiting list of at least eight people, despite her adding an hour to the now three-hour event.

“I thnk a lot of people are interested in the culture, the coffee itself and the fortune,” Neslihan explained.

History and Culture Behind the Grinds

The Aug. 22 Turkish coffee reading took place in the library’s community room. While appointments were made, participants were allowed to enter and sit in the room as a fellow participant had their coffee grinds read.

Nothing mysterious or supernatural was added to the room for effect, nor did Neslihan’s demeanor portray the cliché mystique of a carnival fortune-teller.

Instead, Neslihan gave a warm and simple greeting to anyone who entered the room, and asked how they would like their coffee prepared.

“There is no cream with Turkish coffee. Just sugar,” Neslihan would say.

While preparing her guest’s coffee, Neslihan would share the history of Turkish Coffee reading, informational morsels about modern Turkey and answer any question in between.

According to Neslihan, Tasseography, known as “fal” in Turkish tradition, traces its roots to the Ottoman Empire. According to a BBC report, the Ottoman Empire reigned throughout the Middle East and lands just beyond from the 14^th to the early 20^th centuries.

She explained how Turkish Coffee and the way it was served transformed from a custom to a tradition.

According to Neslihan, a sign of well-prepared Turkish Coffee may be judged by how foamy the coffee can be made.

“A lot of marriages are decided on how well the bride makes the coffee, with lots of foam on top,” Neslihan said with a short laugh.

For maximum foam the coffee would not be served in such containers as a coffee mug, with its wide-brimmed mouth. Rather, Neslihan said that Turkish coffee is served in narrow cups. The cups Neslihan brought with her resembled porcelain teacups and saucers.

She also explained that the more foam in a cup, the more the fortune reader may see.

The coffee grinds themselves resemble a fine powder, similar to the look and consistency of cocoa.

“They are from a famous coffee shop in Istanbul,” Neslihan said, asking her guests, “Have you heard of the Grand Bazaar? The coffee shop is right there. They have a nice store.”

Neslihan said that traditional preparations call for the coffee to be boiled over a stove in a brass or copper pot.

Once cooked, the coffee permeates the room with a distinguished aroma, and, depending on how it was prepared, can taste surprisingly strong and sweet.

After the liquids have been drained, leaving only enough to keep the coffee grinds moist, the fortune-telling ritual may begin.

Move Over Tea Leaves

According to The Steaming Cup Readings literature, the participant is then asked to take their saucer and place it over the drained coffee cup, then turn both the saucer and cup upside down so that the small amount of coffee left in the cup will swirl the grinds and drain, leaving the grinds to settle and dry where they are at the bottom of the cup.

The cup was then handed to Neslihan, who took to the task like an old friend trying to help decipher a roadmap.

“I think it’s an excellent program,” Terrie LoBosco, a Lower Providence resident, said. “I found the culture to be very interesting, and I found her to be very accurate, as well.”

Many of the Turkish Coffee reading participants, many of whom were female library patrons, agreed with LoBosco, saying that they appreciated the culture lessons and in some cases, the remarkably accurate readings.

“She was very interesting, because she taught us the background,” Carole Recchuiti, a Worcester resident and longtime Lower Providence library patron, said. “And, it was a free cup of coffee.”

Rita, a Jeffersonville resident who also declined to give her last name, said she was surprised on how the coffee was prepared, and described it as an “acquired taste.” However, she also gave her praise at the program, and said she would support further culture-based adult programming at the Lower Providence Community Library.

“Everything they offer for adults and children are fantastic,” Rita said. “I can’t say enough about this library.”

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For more informaiton on Lower Providence Library Programs, visit their website.

For more information about The Steaming Cup Readings, visit www.thesteamingcupreadings.blogspot.com or call 610-952-2370.