CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: JULY 2025

Hey coffee crew, and welcome to our July Café Session! We’re officially kicking off the heart of summer—Fourth of July is right around the corner, Rockies season is in full swing (for better or worse), and while it’s definitely heating up out there, we’re not completely over it yet. The sunshine still feels good, the beer gardens are buzzing, and the occasional rainy afternoon has been doing us all a favor. Honestly, it’s the sweet spot of summer—the kind of weather where a cold brew hits just right, but you can still justify an iced cocktail at 2 p.m. because, well… what’s more American than day drinking in the sunshine?

This month, we’re diving into a few coffee curiosities: what exactly is that velvety crema on top of your espresso, and what’s the deal with Turkish coffee and fortune telling—can your cup actually predict your future, or just confirm your caffeine addiction? So grab your go-to summer sipper (coffee or otherwise), settle in, and let’s get into it. Cheers to hot days, cool drinks, and a little summer magic in every cup!

WHAT IS CREMA?

Well, first of all, Crema is the name of a great local coffee shop just down the street from us at Enterprise Coworking! But in coffee terms, crema refers to the golden, caramel-colored foam that rests on top of a freshly pulled shot of espresso. It’s that silky layer that looks a bit like the microfoam on a latté—but it's created entirely from the espresso itself.

Crema forms during the extraction process, when hot water is forced through finely ground coffee at high pressure. That pressure causes the coffee’s natural oils and trapped gases—mostly carbon dioxide—to emulsify and rise to the surface. The result is that signature velvety layer that sits atop the espresso like a crown.

Baristas actually watch for this closely when pulling a shot. There are a lot of things we’re looking at in those few seconds, but the formation of crema is a key indicator of freshness, balance, and overall shot quality. The fresher the beans, the more gas they contain, and the thicker the crema you’ll see.

Beyond aesthetics, crema adds a ton to the sensory experience. It enhances aroma, adds richness to the flavor, and contributes to that smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel espresso lovers crave. That’s why you might hear someone order an Americano with "shots on top"—meaning the espresso is poured over the water instead of vice versa. This lets the crema sit on top, giving you a silky finish in those first few sips.

Eventually, crema will settle and blend into the drink, especially in milk-based beverages or anything stirred. But those first few moments? That’s where the magic lives.

So, next time you get a beautifully pulled shot, take a second to appreciate that creamy, foamy layer—it’s the sign of a well-crafted espresso, and a little reward before the caffeine kicks in.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH TURKISH COFFEE—AND WHY DOES IT TELL MY FORTUNE?

If you’re anything like me and occasionally fall into a rabbit hole of mesmerizing coffee videos, you’ve probably seen that bubbling, foamy coffee being swirled in a pan of hot sand and thought, what in the world is that? That, my friend, is Turkish coffee—and yes, it’s as strong and magical as it looks.

Turkish coffee is considered both a brewing method and a cultural ritual. It's made using extremely fine coffee grounds—finer than espresso—combined with water and (if you like) sugar, all poured into a special long-handled pot called a cezve. Traditionally, the cezve is nestled in a bed of hot sand and gently heated, but you can also use a stovetop at home. As the coffee heats and begins to froth, it’s removed from the heat and the foam is poured into a cup. This process is repeated a few times, building up thick, velvety layers of foam that settle on top of a rich, unfiltered brew.

Because the grounds are never strained out, all those flavorful oils and fine particles stay in the cup, resulting in an ultra-concentrated drink that’s bold, intense, and texturally unique. Think of it as espresso’s ritualistic cousin—equally caffeinated, but with an extra side of mystery.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting: Turkish coffee is also used for fortune telling. The practice, known as tasseography, has been performed for centuries and involves reading patterns left behind in tea leaves, wine sediment—or in this case, coffee grounds.

Here’s how it works: after you’ve finished sipping your coffee, place the saucer over your cup, flip it upside down, and let it rest for 5–10 minutes. The remaining grounds settle into unique formations on the sides and base of the cup. If you’re hoping for insight into a specific area of your life, you can even place a symbolic object under the cup—like a ring for love or a coin for finances. Once the cup is flipped back over, a fortune reader interprets the shapes and symbols left behind. Want to dive deeper into how it's done? This article offers a great breakdown of how to decode the grounds.

And if you’re into what your coffee says about you, we explored another fun, mystical take in our own blog: Coffee Tarot—What Your Brew Says About You. It’s like tasseography, but with your go-to drink as your spirit guide.

So whether you're in it for the caffeine, the ritual, or the prophecy, Turkish coffee is a sensory experience that goes way beyond your average cup. And hey, who doesn’t want their morning routine to come with a little mystery and insight?

If you have a topic or question you’d like me to tackle next month, don’t hesitate to ask! Submit an anonymous question or problem below. No name or email required.