Turkish Coffee and any health benefits from unfiltered coffee

The Origin and Cultural Significance of Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is very finely ground coffee brewed by boiling.

It is thought that it was brought to the Ottoman Empire by travelling merchant traders and reached Britain in the mid to late 17th century. An Ottoman Jew opened the first coffee house in Britain in the mid-17th century.

Brewing and Enjoying Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is unfiltered and is made from very finely ground coffee brewed by boiling. Coffee and water, usually with added sugar, is brought to the boil in a special pot called cezve in Turkey, although it can also be unsweetened. It is served in small, handleless cups and usually not drunk until the grounds have settled to the bottom of the cup.

It is often said that drinking Turkish coffee is a lifestyle and is meant to be sipped rather than drunk quickly like a shot. There is also a tradition of reading the grounds at the bottom of the cup to tell fortunes, known as tasseography.

Are there any health benefits to drinking unfiltered coffee?

While there have been many beliefs that there are significant benefits, according to the latest research, it seems that drinking unfiltered coffee could be linked to a greater risk of disease.

This is because substances in coffee increase homocysteine levels, which are known to negatively impact cholesterol.

Large-scale research by scientists in both Sweden and Norway tends to back up this theory.

Swedish researchers conducted a recent study which found filtered coffee to be a healthier form of brewing. They found that filtered coffee is less likely to lead to cardiovascular problems compared to coffee that is boiled or pressed.

Recent Studies and Changing Perspectives on Coffee Health Benefits

However, there is some good news in that, over the years, epidemiologists have noted a change in the relationship between coffee consumption and mortality rates.

In 1990, the converse was true, and research revealed that countries that drank more coffee had higher rates of death from heart disease.

However, by 2018, the converse was true, and a study found that countries consuming more coffee have lower coronary mortality rates.

When newer studies adjusted for such factors as a sedentary lifestyle and tobacco consumption, it was found that coffee may offer some protection against Parkinson’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, Liver disease, including liver cancer, heart attack and stroke.

We’ll leave the last word to the USA’s Mayo clinic:

“The bottom line? Your coffee habit is probably fine and may even have some benefits. But if you have side effects from coffee, such as heartburn, nervousness or insomnia, consider cutting back.”