Istanbul, 1622. Considered hotbeds of sedition, the city's coffee houses are in constant danger of being shut down by imperial command. Haluk, who runs a cafe in an old caravanserai, is more concerned with brewing the perfect cup of coffee than inciting rebellion. While storms in coffee cups rage around him, Haluk tends his clientele and waits for the right moment to tell his friend and lodger Aydin how he really feels about him.Aydin has been entertaining the people of the Old City for three years, but still he doesn't fit in. He hides his courtly manners and graceful charms behind the boisterous satire of the shadow puppet plays that have made him popular. A former imperial page, Aydin escaped from the palace after his jealous rivals planted the forbidden spice sumac in his clothes. Now he fears his past is catching up with him, bringing danger to Haluk, the man he loves...
