I like to think I have a worldly palate. Then I realized that one of the most famous coffee methods, Turkish coffee, is something I knew little about. So, the question occurred to me:
How do you make Turkish coffee?
I know what it is. I’ve even had it made for me.
But what about making it at home?
I did some testing and research, and now I have a step by step Turkish coffee recipe for you in this post. I’m covering what it is, what makes it different, and tips for how to make it.
What Is Turkish Coffee?
Turkish coffee is a brewing method for finely ground beans. It’s stronger and thicker than most American coffee.
You usually sweeten Turkish coffee when it’s cooking. And sometimes you’ll add cardamom (a sweet and spicy Middle Eastern spice).
Also, Turkish coffee isn’t filtered. Because of this, the beans are ground to the finest possible grind — they resemble cocoa powder. The idea is that when the coffee and water are heating together, the fine grounds will almost dissolve in the sugar and water mixture.
Turkish coffee involves a lot of tradition and culture. It’s usually served in small demitasse cups with a glass of cold water as a palate cleanser. There’s even a proper way to drink this style of coffee.
History of Turkish Coffee
Turkish style coffee was brought to the Ottoman Empire by Syrian traders in the 15th century. The Turkish culture had not yet delved into the wonderful world of coffee.
Soon after the traders brought coffee to Turkey, it took off. The coffee culture is part of a strong tradition and has deep roots in the Turkish daily lifestyle.
Turkish coffee making is more along the lines of a Japanese tea ceremony than a quick cup of coffee on the go. The art to making Turkish coffee can be beautiful.
Turkish style coffee is traditionally enjoyed with a sweet bite of cake or a local dessert like Turkish delight. The coffee is also part of most Turkish wedding celebrations and is a centerpiece of the wedding.
Reading the grounds at the bottom of the cup is also popular in Turkish culture. A medium can read the sediment in the bottom of the small cup to tell you your future. If you’ve ever had this style of coffee, then you know already that there’ll be more of this brew in the future.
The coffee is usually served with a cool glass of water as a palate cleanser. It’s a strong brew. You’ll rarely see it served without the accompanying glass of water. If it isn’t, I would be wary of the quality of the coffee. It’s like serving a Thanksgiving meal without turkey and mashed potatoes.
What Makes Turkish Coffee Different?
Here’s what makes Turkish coffee different from other brewing methods:
- Turkish coffee is unfiltered. The coffee grounds aren’t filtered out of the final cup. This is why the powdery grind is so important for this brewing method. It still can have a git of grit, but it usually settles at the bottom of the cup.
- Turkish coffee is presweetened. Sugar is almost always added with the fine ground coffee when it’s being brewed. Cardamom is also sometimes added to enhance the final brew’s flavor.
- Turkish coffee is not fast. This style of coffee is meant to be sipped and enjoyed. As I mentioned, this is not a “you’re running late for work” coffee experience. It takes a bit longer to brew, there are multiple steps to the brewing process, and finally, the coffee is meant to be sipped with altering sips of cool water.
- Turkish coffee is strong. Because of the brewing method, Turkish coffee is stronger than regular drip coffee. (Espresso is still the strongest coffee you can get, though). The robust taste of this style of coffee can be mistaken for higher caffeine content. If you’re looking for a jolt of caffeine, then a double shot of plain espresso is still your best bet.
- Turkish coffee requires special brewing equipment. This coffee requires a special pot (you can use a small saucepan, too) to make it. This pot is called a cezve or ibrik. I’ll talk about these in a bit.
- Turkish coffee is never served with milk. Turkish coffee is never served with cream or milk. Don’t ask for it. It is sometimes served with additional sweeteners to cut the bite of the flavorful coffee.
What Kind of Coffee Roast Is Used for Turkish Coffee?
My college roommate is Middle Eastern, so I had the chance to enjoy Turkish coffee at her family functions. This was before I even knew what a pour over coffee was, let alone different roasts of coffee.
As with any other brewing method, the best coffee for Turkish coffee comes down to your personal tastes. I wouldn’t suggest a robust roast like a sticky dark Sumatran roast. But don’t shy away from a darker roast.
If you’re a beginner, try using a lighter roast coffee. A great option would be a lighter roast like Hollar Mountain from Stumptown. This chocolatey roast will have its underlying caramel notes bloom when used in this brewing method.
Don’t be afraid to play around with different single origins or blends to see what you like best. If you want to use something more traditional, buy a roast used specifically for Turkish coffee. These will most likely come pre-ground, so you don’t have to worry about getting the iconic powdery grind right.
I’m a fan of the Kurukahveci Mehmer Efendi. This is the go to coffee for my Turkish friends when they make this coffee at home. It’s pre-ground, so make sure to store it correctly so that you don’t lose its flavor.
Do I Need A Special Coffee Brewer for Turkish Coffee?
Yes and no.
Traditionally a cezve or ibrik is the brewer for Turkish coffee. A cezve is a small pot usually made of copper or other metal (even gold sometimes if you’re fancy) with a long handle to hold the pot over the flame.
A cezve is usually adorned with ornate designs that the Turkish region is known for. This is the ideal brewer for making this robust coffee.
But if you don’t want to buy another brewer, you can also use a small saucepan in place of cezve.
Here are some options:
Best Traditional Turkish Cezve – CopperBull
This hand-engraved pot is the most traditional pot you can find. Its thick copper walls ensure a long life of making this prized coffee for groups.
The larger pot can handle up to 5 cups of coffee. The beautiful copper finish will age and stand up to heavy use.
The wooden handle will help to keep from burning your hand when making coffee. Be sure to hand wash this pot when you clean it. Copper doesn’t hold up well in dishwashers.
You can buy the CopperBull cezve on Amazon. This Turkish coffee cezve is going for under $40.00.
Best Beginner Turkish Cezve – Cuisinox Stainless Steel
This cezve is a great option for beginners. The stainless steel design makes for an easy clean up and long lasting use.
The handle claims to stay cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about a screaming hot handle. The price point is on the lower end, so you don’t have to break your budget. The modern look will fit in with any kitchen aesthetic.
With over 300 4 star reviews on Amazon, this is a great price performer for newcomers to the world of Turkish coffee. You can buy the Cuisnox on Amazon for under $20.00 with free shipping.
Best Gift Set- BOSPHORUS 16 Piece Set
Are you looking for an authentic Turkish coffee experience?
If so, this set is a great option. It comes with a cezve, the traditional demitasse cups, a tray, and some authentic Turkish coffee. This set is designed with the traditional engraved metal work and cups. It even includes a dish for your sweet treats that are usually served with this style of coffee.
You can buy the BOSPHORUS 16 piece gift set on Amazon for under $75.00 with free shipping and returns. This set is sure to woo your friends when you make them traditional Turkish coffee.
Best Substitute for a Cezve – Farberware Stainless Steel 1 Quart Saucepan
Are you looking for something functional?
A small saucepan is a great stand in for a cezve. This saucepan is stainless steel and dishwasher safe.
You can see the resemblance between this saucepan and a cezve. It has the same long handle and small “bowl” that a traditional cezve does. You will be able to achieve the same results with this saucepan.
You can use it for other applications too. I use mine to make clarified butter or warm milk for a recipe.
This is also a great budget buy, coming in at just under $25.00. You can’t lose on this choice if you’re looking for something that can make this prized coffee and perform other tasks in your kitchen.
You can buy the Farberware Stainless Steel 1 Quart Saucepan on Amazon with free shipping.
How to Make Turkish Coffee Step by Step
Here’s a recipe for how to make Turkish coffee step by step. The recipe below is the most traditional and easiest to follow Turkish coffee recipe. You can adjust the sugar or even add a cardamom pod for a savory spice note to the coffee. The following recipe makes enough for 2 servings of coffee.
What You’ll Need:
- Cezve or small saucepan of choice.
- Filtered room temperature water.
- Burr coffee grinder.
- Light to Medium roast whole bean coffee.
- Granulated sugar.
- A teaspoon or another utensil to stir with.
- Instant read thermometer.
- 2 small cups or demitasse glasses.
- 2 Glasses of ice water.
- A sweet treat to accompany the coffee.
Step by Step Directions:
- Gather your ingredients and equipment, so you’re not scrambling to find something during the brewing process.
- Grind 16 grams of whole bean coffee to the finest grind possible. Most burr grinders should be able to handle this task. You’re looking for a cocoa powder consistency on the grind.
- Pour 170 grams of filtered water into the cezve and mix with the ground coffee.
- Stir in a heaping teaspoon of granulated sugar to mix. You can adjust this amount to your liking or omit it altogether. This would also be the rime to add the cardamon as well.
- Place cezve on the burner.
- Adjust the flame to bring to a low boil. You’re looking for about 2.5 minutes of total brew time.
- Keep a close eye on the coffee for a foam ring on the top.
- DO NOT LET THE COFFEE COME TO A BOIL.
- Once the foam is present, remove it from heat. This should take about 2.5 minutes. You can play with the heat source to see what works best for your stove.
- Hold your serving cup at a 45 degree range and slowly pour to retain the foam built up. You’re going to pour about half of the brewed coffee in.
- Repeat with the second cup.
How to Drink Turkish Coffee
- Let the cups of coffee stand for a couple of minutes to let the grounds settle to the bottom.
- Sweeten further or add sugar to your liking.
- Cream is never a part to this brewing method.
- Enjoy with your chosen sweet.
- Make sure to take sips of cold water in between the sips of the coffee. This serves as a palate cleanser for the robust coffee.
Conclusion
I hope you feel ready to tackle the beautiful tradition of making Turkish coffee. This is a time-honored coffee-making process that really is about trusting the process and not rushing through it. As with any other coffee brewing method, the more you practice and play around with the details, the better it will taste, and you’ll be able to figure out what suits your palate best.