At first glance, traditional Bosnian Coffee might look like something you’ve seen before, but trust us, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
One of the best places in all of the country to try traditional Bosnian coffee is Mostar.
A lot of people associate Mostar with its bridge, and rightfully so! The Mostar bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. Just try not gawking at those views!
But the coffee culture here is fast becoming a sought out destination for caffeine aficionados around the world… if you know where to look.
In the small town of Mostar, tucked away down a cobblestoned side-street, sits a small, colourful café. Unassuming at first glance, this independent café is an upholder of Bosnian coffee tradition.
We’re going to tell you about this café, but first let’s talk about Bosnian Coffee.
Bosnian coffee culture is taken very seriously, and is considered a part of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian identity. Centuries ago, as the Ottoman empire swept through the region, they brought their coffee culture with them. Bosnians loved this coffee, and added their own, cultural flair to it.
If you’ve ever tried Turkish coffee, Egyptian coffee or Arabic coffee, you’ll recognize the coffee’s outward appearance. But if you ask any Bosnian, they’ll emphatically tell you this coffee is distinct from Turkish coffee!
Boiled in a džezva (or cezve in Turkish) – Bosnians add the coffee after the water is boiling, rather than before (like the Turkihsh way). This leads to the coffee being much foamier than its Turkish counterpart.
It is served on a small tray, and rather than pre-poured cups you are brought the džezva and you pour it for yourself. Boiled with no filter, it is common to find a few grounds in your cup – but this just adds to the authenticity of the experience.
Serving coffee in the džezva means it stays hotter for longer – which is good because Bosnians LOVE to sit and talk over a coffee for hours and hours.
For many Bosnians, coffee became a ritual of time. Coffee drinking is a moment to switch off your brain, unplug from the world, and savor the moment – often with friends or friendly locals in a cafe.
If you’re walking the cobblestone streets of Mostar, you won’t find many ‘to go’ cups of coffee. That’s because Bosnian coffee is a ritual of time, meant to be enjoyed by stopping, sitting down and sipping until the last drop.
Not only is Jasmin a traditional dancer and a local guide, he channeled his passion into creating a Traditional Bosnian Coffee Shop, which roasts its own coffee, and runs Coffee Workshops, which guide their guests through the intricate art of making (and drinking) Bosnian coffee!
Remember: Bosnian coffee is a ritual of time, meant to be savoured in the company of good friends….
Or perhaps good friends you’ve just met along the Cobblestone Freeway!
Our local hosts are all about preserving local customs, as old as time, and those in Mostar love to share their rich coffee traditions with the world.
Bosnian Coffee is a ritual of time, and Café Alma in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, is preserving local customs, as old as time, to share their rich coffee traditions with the world. We at Cobblestone are committed to preserving and supporting such intangible cultural heritage.
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