Water’s position in trendy espresso preparation has been the topic of appreciable inquiry during the last decade. Maxwell Dashwood and Christopher Hendon’s Water For Espresso is a seminal work on the subject, now in its second version. Manufacturers like Third Wave Water, Pentair, Lotus Water, and lots of extra have modified how espresso lovers take into consideration water at residence and within the cafe. Reverse osmosis has gone from the realm of the tremendous geek—or the barista competitor stage script—to turning into more and more normalized at espresso bars and considerate residence set-ups world wide.
However what if we instructed you the obsession with water and occasional’s delicate dance was nothing new in any respect? In a brand new function for Sprudge Particular Tasks, author and occasional skilled Duygu Kurtuluş (of Meet Espresso Lab in Istanbul) takes us again to an earlier period of espresso and water, contained in the palace of Topkapı within the sixteenth century Ottoman Empire. You thought you had been a bit nerdy about your espresso water? You’ve acquired nothing on these of us.
For the palace, espresso was by no means merely one thing to drink. At Topkapı, espresso was a efficiency, full with devoted employees, protocol, and ritual. The kahvecibaşı (chief espresso maker) and the attendants underneath his command labored in seamless order: braziers, roasting pans, finely grinding bronze mills, elegant ewers, and cups housed in silver zarfs. And behind this complete stage—extra decisive than one would possibly count on for the period—one quiet component formed all the things: water.
From the start of the sixteenth century, it’s thought that the principle supply of brewing water for the palace was Gümüşsuyu, within the Eyüp district. This was no extraordinary spring. At its head stood a particular corps of bostancıs referred to as the Gümüşsuyu Ocağı, tasked solely with drawing water there and delivering it to the palace. Water was crammed into massive leather-based waterskins, carried by boat to Sarayburnu, then delivered on to the Espresso Room on the palace.
Learn “The Secret Of Turkish Espresso? Since The sixteenth Century, It’s In The Water” on Sprudge Particular Tasks
Particular Tasks Desk is a hub for long-form unique journalism and choose archival options on Sprudge. Since 2009, Sprudge has been the world’s premier residence for thought-provoking espresso journalism, evocative photograph essays, design deep-dives, and cultural narratives. Particular Tasks Desk continues this custom in 2025 and past, platforming distinctive works from the sphere of espresso journalism.
Particular Tasks Desk is supported by La Marzocco, handcrafting espresso machines in Florence, Italy since 1927. Their mission is to assist the expansion of specialty espresso; they consider that rising data and understanding is one of the best ways to develop a thriving future for the espresso trade.
Sprudge is actively searching for pitches for long-form espresso writing—from each established and rising journalists—with out language or expertise conditions. For extra data, contact us.
