History

Menengiç is the fruit of the wild terebinth that grows across the Antep plateau, and the drink made from it predates and outlasts every coffee shortage the region has seen. The berries are roasted then ground until they release their own oil and form a paste, which is why menengiç is sold in jars rather than as a loose powder. It is brewed with milk rather than water, and it comes out thick, nutty and only faintly bitter. Tahmis Kahvesi, trading beside the grain market since 1635, is the address most associated with it, and it still sells the paste across the counter alongside dibek coffee ground by mallet.

Common allergens: Nuts, Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Serves 2Hands-on 10 minTotal 15 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp menengiç paste
  • 300ml whole milk
  • 1 tsp sugar, optional
  • Ground pistachio, to finish

Method

  1. Put the menengiç paste into a cezve or small pan with a splash of the milk and work it smooth with a spoon.
  2. Add the rest of the milk and the sugar if using, and set over low heat.
  3. Heat slowly, stirring, until the surface begins to foam. Do not let it boil over.
  4. Lift off the heat as the foam rises, let it settle, then return it briefly once more.
  5. Pour into small cups, spoon the foam on top and dust with ground pistachio.

Tip from the editors. Buy the paste rather than dried berries. Grinding terebinth at home rarely releases enough oil to brew properly.

Where to eat menengiç kahvesi

Menengiç kahvesi in Gaziantep

Tarihi Tahmis Kahvesi ★ 4.7

Cafe₺₺sahinbeyDaily 08:00-24:00Public cafe

Tahmis Kahvesi has roasted and ground coffee beside the Gaziantep grain market since 1635, selling menengiç and dibek by the bag as well as the cup.

Tip: Buy the menengiç ground. It is a terebinth paste, not a bean, and it needs no grinder at home.

Sources from: Türkiye

How they serve: Turkish coffee, Menengiç, Whole bean retail

All Gaziantep signature dishes →

More cities are in research. Want menengiç kahvesi covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →