Abkhazia

While Abkhazia has a strong coffee culture, heavily influenced by its proximity to Turkey and the wider Caucasus region, the ways to order coffee are generally centered around a traditional style rather than a wide variety of modern espresso-based drinks found in many Western cafes.

Here's a breakdown of the typical coffee order in Abkhazia and what's in it:

The Primary Way to Order Coffee: Oriental/Turkish Coffee

The most common and traditional way to have coffee in Abkhazia is Oriental coffee, often referred to as Turkish coffee. This is a deeply ingrained cultural practice.

• What's in it:

• Finely ground coffee beans: The beans are ground to an extremely fine powder, much finer than for drip coffee or espresso.

• Cold water: The coffee grounds are initially mixed with cold water.

• Sugar (optional): Sugar is often added directly to the cezve (a small, long-handled pot, also known as an ibrik) during the brewing process, rather than added afterward. You'd typically specify your desired sweetness when ordering:

• Şekersiz (seh-ker-SIZ): No sugar

• Az şekerli (ahz sheh-ker-LEE): Little sugar

• Orta şekerli (or-TAH sheh-ker-LEE): Medium sugar

• Çok şekerli (chok sheh-ker-LEE): A lot of sugar

• How it's made: The coffee, water, and sugar (if desired) are combined in a cezve and slowly brought to a boil over a stove, often on hot sand (especially in traditional settings or at cultural festivals). The key is to create a rich foam on top. It's not filtered, so the finely ground coffee settles at the bottom of the cup.

• How it's served: It's typically served in small, demitasse-sized cups, often with a glass of cold water and sometimes a piece of Turkish delight.

Other Potential Coffee Options (Less Traditional, More Modern/Imported):

While not as culturally central as Oriental coffee, in more modern cafes or tourist areas, you might find:

• Instant Coffee: Like in many parts of the world, instant coffee would likely be available.

• What's in it: Instant coffee granules and hot water, with milk and sugar added to taste.

• Basic Espresso-based drinks: In larger towns like Sukhumi, some cafes may offer basic espresso-based drinks, but these are less common as a traditional Abkhazian coffee experience.

• Espresso: A concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans.

• Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.

• Latte/Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and foam (ratios vary).

Key Takeaway:

If you're looking for an authentic Abkhazian coffee experience, you'll be ordering Oriental/Turkish coffee. It's not just a drink; it's a social ritual, often accompanied by conversation and hospitality. The nuances will be in the level of sweetness you prefer.

*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.