Armenian Coffee

After one week in Armenia, I have learned that these people love their coffee. They drink a small, but strong cup. During work hours we drink a morning round and a late afternoon round. All without the assistance of a trusty coffee maker. I have quickly become addicted. Like an espresso, no milk is used.



Directions:

• Use an espresso cup.
• For every cup of water mix a teaspoon of finely ground coffee and a teaspoon of sugar (folks here like it sweet, I rather use 1/3 teaspoon or no sugar).
  
• Stir together in pot, put mixture on fire and continue to stir.
  
• Right when it starts to boil take it off heat (if not it the mix will bubble up and spill over onto the stove).
• Bring pot back to heat. As it begins to boil a second time take it off heat, let the the pot settle.
  
• Pour.
  

The coffee grinds will float to the bottom of the cup and form a sediment. Like in other traditions, including Greek and Turkish, Armenians like to read coffee grinds. If you have folks over you can flip the cup onto the saucer then back to right side up. You can't read your own grinds, but have someone else interpret the coffee patterns left on on the inside of the cup for you.

If you are doing the reading use your creative powers to weave a convincing fortune. Just in case, here are some helpful, albeit suspect suggestions on how to read the grounds:

Hill, Mountain: high ambitions
Spider: unexpected money
Sun: good health
Tent: year full of traveling
Triangle: something unexpected
Hats: Someone is trying to cover something up
Rocks: Obstacles in your path to success either real or imagined
Trees: People find you noble