Voltaire, a prominent figure of the Enlightenment era, visited the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century, where he was introduced to the Turkish coffee tradition, including the practice of fortune-telling using coffee grounds.
As the story goes, after enjoying a cup of Turkish coffee, Voltaire eagerly awaited his fortune. The coffee reader, skilled in the art of tasseography, carefully examined the coffee grounds left at the bottom of Voltaire's cup. She then began to interpret the patterns and shapes formed by the grounds.
To Voltaire's surprise, the coffee reader accurately predicted aspects of his future, including his return to France and his future literary success. Astonished by the accuracy of the reading, Voltaire was deeply impressed by the mystical and cultural significance of coffee fortune-telling.
This encounter left a lasting impression on Voltaire, and he later wrote about his experience in his writings, continuing the fascination that Turkish coffee has held for travellers and intellectuals throughout history.