In south east Turkey, the city of Gaziantep is home to a unique drink that locals have trusted for centuries. It looks like coffee, is served like coffee, but it contains no caffeine at all. This traditional brew is called menengiç kahvesi, and it is made from wild pistachios instead of coffee beans.
I arrived in Gaziantep on a cold autumn day. Snow had already covered the peaks of the Taurus Mountains nearby. Seeking warmth, I stepped into Tahmis Kahvesi, a historic cafe founded in 1635 and known as one of the oldest coffee houses in the world. Inside, people gathered around a wood stove, holding small decorated cups filled with hot drinks.
Most visitors order classic Turkish coffee, but the real local specialty is menengiç coffee. This ancient drink is made from the roasted fruit of the terebinth tree, a wild pistachio species that grows naturally in the region. The flavor is nutty, rich, and slightly bitter, with a thick foam on top.
A Traditional Drink with Healing Roots
For the people of Gaziantep, menengiç is more than a beverage. It is part of daily life and family tradition. Locals often serve it to anyone feeling unwell, especially during winter. Many believe it helps with coughs, colds, and chest discomfort.
Food expert Filiz Hösükoğlu, who grew up in Gaziantep, recalls drinking menengiç whenever she was sick as a child. While Turkish coffee and tea are shared during social gatherings, menengiç is reserved for care, comfort, and healing.
The drink is also deeply tied to the region’s identity. In 2024, menengiç coffee from Gaziantep received European Union geographical indication status, recognizing its cultural and historical value. It is also popular across south east Turkey and in Iraqi Kurdistan, where it is known as qazwan.
Turkey’s Ancient Caffeine Free Coffee Alternative from Gaziantep
