How to Read a Fortune in Turkish Coffee Grounds

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on January 13th, 2023

It’s easy and fun to tell fortunes by reading the patterns left in the grounds from a cup of Turkish coffee. Follow these simple steps to read Turkish coffee grounds.


The Basics of Tasseography

Tasseography is an ancient practice used to help people discover their destiny. It involves the interpretation of patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, and even wine sediments. The most widely known form of tasseography is the reading of Turkish coffee grounds.

How to Read a Fortune in Turkish Coffee Grounds

This practice is believed to have originated in the Middle East and has been around for centuries. When it comes to Turkish coffee readings, a psychic advisor will interpret the residual coffee grounds in the cup and on the saucer.

To do so, they must understand the symbolism of the cup as well as how to interpret the various elements of the fortune-telling process. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of tasseography and provide a step-by-step guide to understanding and interpreting Turkish coffee fortunes.

Throughout the Middle East, the thick, sweet coffee commonly known as Turkish coffee leaves a sludgy residue of its finely pulverized grounds on the bottom of the small cup in which it is served. Traditionally, these grounds may be “read” in a sort of informal fortune-telling session.

Such a tradition greatly enhances the experience of drinking Turkish coffee, extending a simple cup into an opportunity for delightful conversation. And it’s easy and fun to do.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Reading Turkish Coffee Grounds

cezve bot and lid on glass surface with roasted coffee beans

Follow these easy steps to brew Turkish coffee and then read fortunes in Turkish coffee grounds.

1. Brew Turkish coffee

For each cup, start with 1 tablespoon of very finely ground coffee, 3 ounces of cold water, and 1 teaspoon of sugar (more or less, depending on desired sweetness).

Put them in an ibrik, a traditional Turkish coffee pot made of brass with a long handle and a narrower top than the bottom. Cook over medium-low heat until the liquid boils and froths up. Remove from the heat and stir until the froth settles. Heat, froth, remove from heat, and stir again.

2. Pour the Turkish coffee

Repeat once more, pouring the coffee into demitasses (small coffee cups) while it is still frothing, shaking the pot while pouring to ensure some froth pours into each cup.

3. Drink Turkish coffee

Encourage guests to sip and savor the coffee slowly, draining their cups until they reach the very thick ground at the bottom.

4. Invert the Turkish coffee cups

Demonstrating for guests, quickly invert a cup into its saucer with a turn of the wrist, taking special care while doing so not to fling the grounds at anyone.

Encourage guests to turn their cups over in the same way. Leave the inverted cups for about 5 minutes to allow the grounds to drip down the insides and dry slightly.

The fortune-telling session begins with the reader closing the cup and turning it counterclockwise three times over their head in order to invoke faith

5. Read the fortunes in the Turkish coffee grounds

Once the cup is ready, the reader begins by deciphering the bottom of the cup which is associated with the past, then move to the midsection of the cup which is connected to the present, and finally look at the top of the cup which symbolizes the future.

Additionally, readers interpret a metal object found in the cup or look for a fortune-telling ant if one appears. 

Some examples: wavelike ripples predict a journey overseas or a beach vacation; jagged peaks and valleys may mean tumultuous emotions; a shapely profile may foretell new romance; and so on. Be creative!

Make reading Turkish coffee grounds a regular practice, and telling fortunes will get easier and more creative all the time. Enjoy this Middle Eastern tradition!

Check these general rules that cover the basics of Turkish coffee reading:

  • You shouldn’t interpret your own cup. (If you will do it just to practice symbol learning, it’s OK).
  • You don’t give the same cup to a different reader to double-check the given reading. Keep in mind that most professionals perform “whole impression” and not just cup reading symbols.
  • Turkish cup fortune telling always starts from the cup’s handle. You move from right to left if the person is right-handed or left to right left-handed.

How to Interpret the Turkish Coffee cup

The symbolism of the Turkish coffee cup is an important part of reading the fortune. The handle of the cup is where the fortune-telling begins, as one moves either right to left if they are right-handed, or left to right if they are left-handed. Vertical streaks along the walls of the cup represent a person’s aspirations, while a trail of coffee that extends all the way to the rim symbolizes luck.

Additionally, a metal object such as a coin or ring is sometimes placed in the cup, and its position can help reveal how long it will take for a person’s wishes to come true. Finally, some practitioners believe that an ant in the cup is a sign of determination and that one’s efforts will bear fruit.

Interpreting the bottom of the cup

Interpreting the bottom of the cup is the first step in reading Turkish coffee fortunes. According to tradition, it symbolizes the past and how it has influenced the present.

As you turn the cup counterclockwise three times over your head, you should look for any patterns in the coffee grounds and take note of any deeper or darker shapes that might represent obstacles and challenges that need to be overcome on the journey ahead.

Look for any symbols that could hint at hidden meanings or insights like a heart-shaped pattern that might signify love or a spiral-shaped pattern that could symbolize a winding path. Pay attention to your intuition and emotions as you read the bottom of the cup, as these can help you interpret what lies ahead.

Understanding the midsection of the cup

The midsection of the cup is where you will find the most information about a person’s present and immediate future. This is where a skilled tasseographer will search for symbols that can give insight into what is happening in the person’s life right now, and what may come in the near future.

When interpreting the midsection of a Turkish coffee cup, it is important to pay attention to any shapes that can be identified. These shapes can be interpreted as symbols, and each symbol has a unique meaning that can provide insight and advice.

Additionally, symbols that appear close together could indicate connections between events or people in one’s life. It is also important to note any rings or circles in the midsection of the cup, as these often represent happy moments or joyous occasions.

Deciphering the top of the cup

When it comes to reading Turkish coffee fortunes, the top of the cup is particularly important. It holds the key to understanding the subject’s future. To get a better interpretation of the top of the cup, the fortune-teller needs to look at the patterns and shapes in the coffee grounds.

The lines and curves in the coffee grounds can offer insight into what is likely to come in the future. For instance, if a circle appears in the top portion of the cup, it could represent a cycle that will take place in a person’s life.

In addition, symbols such as a letter, an animal, or a house can have different meanings depending on their location in the cup. When looking at the top of the cup, it is important to remember that no matter what symbols appear, they should be interpreted with positivity and optimism.

Reading the residual coffee grounds

Once the coffee has been poured, the reader will then interpret the residual coffee grounds that are left at the bottom and sides of the cup. These can be seen as symbols and patterns that can provide insight into a person’s past, present, or future. Patterns and shapes such as circles, squares, and triangles can indicate different things.

For example, a circle can represent protection or a need for closure, while a triangle may symbolize a journey or an upcoming decision. Whatever shapes and symbols appear in the coffee grounds must be interpreted in relation to the other symbols present in the cup. It is important to take into account the other elements of the reading, such as the shape of the cup and the object found in it.

Interpreting a metal object found in the cup

Besides interpreting shapes in the coffee grounds, Turkish coffee fortune-telling can also involve looking for metal objects in the cup.

According to tradition, if a metal object is found in the cup, it can indicate an upcoming event or a warning of something that could happen. It could be a small coin, a ring, or even a piece of jewelry. Whatever it is, it can tell the fortune teller a lot about what to expect in the near future.

The metal object can be interpreted based on its shape and size, as well as its position in the cup. For example, a small coin found towards the bottom of the cup could signify financial stability, while a large ring placed near the rim could indicate a potential romantic relationship.

Making Sense of a Fortune-telling Ant

Another common symbol found in Turkish coffee cup readings is the ant. It is believed that an ant found in the cup indicates that the person’s desires will soon be fulfilled. Ants are associated with being hardworking and determined, so it is seen as a positive symbol.

Whether or not your fortune includes an ant, it is important to remember that all symbols found in Turkish coffee cup readings should be taken into consideration. A single symbol may have a variety of interpretations, so it’s important to consider the context of the entire reading before drawing any conclusions.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.