What Makes Turkish Coffee Different?
But what separates Turkish coffee from your average cup of joe? Is it just because of the presentation? Is it the coffee beans? The answer is a little bit of everything. See:
- Turkish coffee is brewed slowly and methodically. It is not filtered.
- The coffee grounds stay in the cup.
- Its flavor is bolder.
- The texture is thicker.
- And it can be served in a delightful Turkish coffee cup.
The coffee has become an important cultural cornerstone for the people, and it’s something they cherish because it’s used by them every day, morning and night, so the coffee makers work to make their brew separate from the rest and something you can only find in their country. That is, until you’ve mastered the steps to make your brew, that is.
What You Need to Make Turkish Coffee
Before we get to the process, we need to make sure that you have everything you need on hand when you’re making your Turkish coffee. You’ll have to acquire:
Turkish Coffee Maker
Naturally, to make Turkish coffee, you need a Turkish coffee maker! Well, the technical term, which is to say the actual term, is cezve or ibrik. It’s a small pot with a long handle and a specially designed pouring lip. It’s typically made of copper, brass, or stainless steel, and if you want good coffee, you need a good cezve.
Turkish Coffee Beans
For good coffee, you need good coffee beans. And for good Turkish coffee, you need good Turkish coffee beans. Now, there’s no one coffee bean that’s only used here. You can choose as your heart desires, especially if you know your stuff. But for the best results, we’d recommend extra-fine-ground Arabica coffee beans with a medium to dark roast. Get yourself:
- Kenya AA: Medium or Dark
- Costa Rica Tarrazu: Medium or Dark
Water
Rather obvious, but it should be stated that you’ll need some nice clean water for your Turkish coffee. But it’s important that the water is cold before you start brewing so that the coffee and sugar have enough time to dissolve and slowly build up a thick, frothy foam.
Optional: Sugar
Now, if you like things a little bit on the sweet side, then you could also make sure to have a little sugar when you’re making your Turkish coffee, but it is not strictly needed for an authentic experience.
How to Brew Authentic Turkish Coffee Step-by-Step
- Add Cold Water to the Turkish Coffee Maker
The first step’s the easiest: just add water. Pour your cold water into the cezve, usually one cup’s worth depending on the size of the Turkish coffee maker and how much coffee you want.
- Add Your Turkish Coffee
Next is the most important part of making your drink: the coffee. For one proper cup of authentic Turkish coffee, just pour 1 teaspoon of finely ground Arabica coffee beans.
- Optional: Add Sugar
As a reminder, sugar isn’t needed for a good Turkish coffee, but if you like things a little sweet, then it’ll work out great for you! The amount of sugar depends on the sweetness you want, like:
- ½ teaspoon for mild sweetness (Az şekerli)
- 1 teaspoon for moderate sweetness (Orta şekerli)
- 2 teaspoons for sweet (Şekerli)
- Stir Before Heating
Make sure to properly stir the water, coffee grounds, and the theoretical sugar because this will ideally be the last time you stir the Turkish coffee pot before you heat it up, since there’s no stirring after this.
- Heat Slowly
With the ingredients in the cezve, it’s time to heat the coffee. Make sure to keep it on a gentle heat since the Turkish coffee needs time to develop its flavors and to bring out that classic foam.
- Watch for Foam
Speaking of, make sure to watch the pot, despite what the iconic phrase says, because once the foam rises to the top, it’s a sign that the iconic Turkish coffee is ready and that you need to stop heating it or it’ll boil over.
- Pour Into Your Cup
Now you carefully and slowly pour your brew into its container, and if you want to make it really authentic, get a nice Turkish coffee cup to make you feel like you’re in Istanbul.
- Let It Rest Before Drinking
Finally, you let the coffee rest for a minute before taking a sip so that the Turkish coffee grounds can settle at the bottom.
Enjoy!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Turkish Coffee
- Using regular coffee grounds instead of extra-fine coffee
- Boiling the coffee too hard
- Stirring while brewing
- Using high heat
- Pouring too quickly and losing the foam
- Drinking the grounds at the bottom
Tips for Getting Better Foam and Flavor
- Use fresh Turkish coffee beans
- Always use cold water
- Brew on low heat
- Don’t rush the process
- Use the right Turkish coffee maker
- Pour slowly to protect the foam
Can You Make Turkish Coffee Without a Turkish Coffee Maker?
As the question implies, not everyone has a cezve lying around or can even buy one. Does that mean no Turkish coffee for you? Not at all! While they are more effective at the job, especially for the foam, you can mostly replicate the process with a simple saucepan can do the trick!
Turkish coffee is one of Turkey’s most iconic drinks, and now you can enjoy it anytime you like at the comforts of your own home. It’s a simple process that just needs the right equipment and some quality ingredients.
FAQs
What is the best grind for Turkish coffee?
You want the coffee to be extra fine, almost like powder.
Can I use regular coffee beans for Turkish coffee?
Any coffee bean works, but they must be ground very finely.
Why are Turkish coffee cups so small?
Because Turkish coffee is strong, rich, and can’t necessarily be handled in large portions, so it’s either a small cup or half a regular cup before it’s too much.
Do you drink the coffee grounds?
No, the grounds settle at the bottom, and you leave them in the cup.
Is a Turkish coffee maker necessary?
Not at all! Even a saucepan can do the job. But if you want your Turkish coffee to be authentic and you want the foam to be nice and thick, a cezve is the best way to get it.