The internationally renowned Turkish-American MD Mehmet Oz, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, writer, talk show presenter and commentator – who was born and lives in the U.S., where he made his career, caused the reaction of the Turkish community when he referred to Turkish Coffee as Greek Coffee on his TV show.
As Turks said, the coffee was brewed in the unique Turkish way and were insulted to hear Oz say it was in fact Greek.
A woman from a volunteer initiative for the promotion of Turkish coffee, started a petition on charge.org, making an appeal to the famous surgeon and calling on him to celebrate the Turkish coffee culture.
The campaign was launched by Gizem Salcigil White, the founding director of Mobile Turkish Coffee Truck, which was established to promote Turkish coffee throughout the US and Europe after Oz’s remarks that, “Greek coffee was good for health,” as it is a super-potent coffee, a heart-protecting and antioxidant beverage. The campaign with the title, Dr. Mehmet Cengiz Öz, Turkish-American TV show host: Celebrate Turkish coffee culture’s 500-year-old history, aims at gathering at least 5,000 signatures.
“As a person of Turkish heritage, I look up to Dr. Mehmet Öz as an inspiring figure. Millions of people are exposed to Turkey and Turkish culture through Dr. Öz’s television program. Turkish people proudly applaud his success and contributions to society,” the “Turkish Coffee Truck lady,” as she calls herself, says in the petition, calling on Öz to recognize the significance of Turkey’s cultural contribution to the world.
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