Drinking coffee in Plovdiv – a special ritual

For every true Plovdivian the day begins with a good cup of coffee. Furthermore, the refreshing beverage is considered a must-drink for every guest of our city too. Although nowadays drinking coffee is so popular all over the world, not many people actually know where it comes from.

History and origins

It all began in the old Islamic world. In the 15 and 16 centuries, the Sufi followers in Yemen started drinking coffee. Soon everyone from Mecca to Cairo would do so. It is believed to originate from Ethiopia. For the first time, people there realized they could use the coffee beans. Eventually, in the entire Arabic Peninsula, parts of India, all of the Ottoman Empire and even the Balkans people realized the magical effect and amazing taste of the coffee.

A special ritual in Bulgaria

In Bulgarian lands, it was introduced during the Ottoman rule, exactly in the time frame mentioned above. Coffee has always had a socializing effect on people. You would not just drink it while you walk, or do your work. You have to enjoy it, take a seat, talk to people. Drinking coffee is a whole ritual. And you can not rush rituals. In everyday life, drinking coffee is preserved for that special time of the day when you take a break and talk with your colleagues for example. It is also something that unites us all, regardless of age or background.

Drinking coffee on a tour?

In Plovdiv you can enjoy a vast variety of places to drink all kinds of coffee. But our Arts and Crafts tour finishes in the most local way possible – in Duykyana – the best coffee roastery in the city.

There, in a typical Kapana house, the owner every morning bakes the coffee beans and makes sure everyone wakes up to the amazing smell of baked coffee. In that cozy atmosphere, we sit together with our guests, chill and exchange impressions and opinions not only about the tour. Also, about the city, the country, the world – socializing. And that is the best part of the ritual of drinking coffee!