Coffee Week Kicks Off Throughout the Czech Republic Today

The eighth-annual Coffee Week kicks off throughout Prague and the Czech Republic today. Held annually since 2011 to coincide with International Coffee Day, it takes place from October 1-8.

In Prague, drink specials and events are taking place at a number of venues including Selfie Café onVodičkova, Kafé v Klidu near Národní třída, Café Republika in Letná, and Vinohrady’s Café Pražírna which will offer a new gin-and-tonic filter-coffee drink for the occasion.

There’s even a special promotion devoted to that perennial Czech favorite — the “turecká káva“; specialty coffee seller Made In Syria will be offering stainless steel Turkish coffee pots and Hamwi coffee with cardamom at a discount.

In 18th-century Prague, coffee was a luxury for the rich burgher population, but when the first café opened At the Golden Snake on Karlova street in 1714, its popularity soared.

So how do you explain the Czech-style turek which has no connection to a proper Turkish coffee?

Of course, these days in Prague you can’t toss a bean without hitting a gourmet coffeehouse; take your pick from this round-up of Prague roasters while brushing up on your Prague coffee snob etiquette from A-Z here.

For a map and full list of Coffee Week events see here.

Later this month the annual Prague Coffee Festival hits Pražská tržnice; from October 20-21 coffee lovers can enjoy a presentation of selected roasters and cafés, cuppings, workshops, and lectures; unlimited coffee degustation is included in the ticket price.