The Lost Art of Reading Coffee Grounds

Coffee is more than just a drink. It’s a moment to sit, to talk, to laugh, and just sometimes, to read the future.

Fez – Long ago, Arab women used coffee grounds to read secrets hidden in the cup. This old habit is not as common today, but in some homes, it still happens when friends gather.

It starts with a small cup of black coffee, usually strong and thick, like Turkish coffee. After drinking, the person turns the cup upside down on a small plate.

The cup stays upside down for a few minutes, so the grounds can slide down and leave shapes inside.

Then, the real magic begins.

One woman, usually the oldest or the one known for her “gift”, picks up the cup. She turns it slowly, looking at the dark shapes inside. Every line, every spot, every curve tells a story.

Sometimes, the shapes show clear pictures: a tree, a bird, a road.

Each picture has a meaning. A bird can mean news is coming. A tree can mean growth or family success. A road can mean a journey, either in real life or a change in someone’s path.

Other times, the pictures are not clear. They look like clouds or strange forms, and the woman must feel their meaning.

This is why not everyone can read coffee grounds. It’s not only about seeing shapes, it’s about understanding feelings, energies, and connecting the pictures to the person’s life.

This art is not just about knowing the future. It’s also about sharing advice, opening hearts, and sometimes, giving hope.

Women used to do it for fun during afternoons together, especially when talking about love, marriage, or family problems. It was a way to talk without asking too many questions, to offer advice without sounding too direct.

Even though many young people today don’t believe in it, some still enjoy it. It brings laughter, curiosity, and a small taste of the past. It also reminds them of their mothers and grandmothers, sitting together, laughing and guessing what the future holds.

In cities, this tradition is disappearing. Life moves faster now. Coffee comes from machines, and people have less time to sit and watch the grounds dry.

But in some villages, and in homes where culture still sits at the heart of daily life, the cups still turn, the grounds still slide, and the secrets of the future still rise from the dark.

Because sometimes, the future is only a sip away.