Turkish Coffee

What Is Turkish Coffee?

Turkish coffee is made by brewing very finely ground coffee beans (Coffea arabica) with water and, optionally, sugar in a cezve over low heat. It is poured into the cup without filtering.

The grounds settle at the bottom of the cup. After drinking the coffee, people also turn the cup upside down as part of the tradition of reading fortunes. In 2013, Turkish coffee was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Nutritional Values of Turkish Coffee

Plain (unsweetened) Turkish coffee is nearly calorie-free; 100 ml contains about 2 kcal of energy. Because it is finely ground and brewed by boiling, its caffeine concentration is generally more noticeable per small cup than that of filter coffee.

What Are the Benefits of Turkish Coffee?

Because of its caffeine content, Turkish coffee is traditionally consumed as a stimulating drink in daily life. Studies have examined caffeine’s effects on attention and alertness.

This is general information; Turkish coffee is a beverage, not a medical treatment. People who are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a blood pressure condition should be careful about how much they consume and consult a health professional if needed.

How to Choose Turkish Coffee

Good-quality Turkish coffee is freshly ground, finely milled to a flour-like consistency, and strongly aromatic.

• The powder should be as fine as flour; coarsely ground coffee has difficulty forming foam in a cezve.
• The package date should be recent; coffee quickly loses aroma after it is ground.
• The aroma should be strong and characteristic of freshly roasted coffee; avoid coffee with a musty or flat smell.

How to Store Turkish Coffee

Ground Turkish coffee stays fresh for 2–3 months in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. Buying it in small packages and sealing the container tightly helps reduce its contact with air.

Using Turkish Coffee in the Kitchen

Turkish coffee is brewed in a cezve over low heat with water, coffee, and optional sugar. Heat it until foam forms just before it boils. Choose the sugar level before brewing: unsweetened, lightly sweetened, medium-sweet, or sweet.

How Is Turkish Coffee Brewed?

Add cold water, one 5 ml measure of coffee per cup, and the desired amount of sugar to the cezve, then stir. Cook over low heat without stirring. When the foam begins to rise, remove the cezve from the heat and divide the foam among the cups. Return the cezve to the heat to finish brewing.

Which Recipes Use Turkish Coffee?

Plain Turkish coffee, dibek coffee, and mendil coffee are among the best-known ways to serve it. Turkish coffee is also used to add flavor to some dessert and ice cream recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Turkish coffee good for?

Because of its caffeine content, Turkish coffee is traditionally consumed to promote alertness and attention. It is a beverage; it does not claim to cure any disease.

Why is the foam on Turkish coffee important?

The foam is considered a sign that the coffee was brewed correctly and that the coffee is high-quality and fresh. It also helps preserve the aroma in the cup for longer.

Should Turkish coffee be boiled?

No. A full boil can disperse the foam and make the coffee bitter. It is recommended to remove the cezve from the heat just before the coffee boils, when the foam begins to rise.

What is the difference between Turkish coffee and filter coffee?

Turkish coffee is made with very finely ground coffee that is brewed without filtering and poured into the cup, where the grounds settle at the bottom. For filter coffee, water passes through a filter containing coarsely ground coffee.

Why does Turkish coffee taste bitter?

A longer brewing time, a grind that is too coarse, or stale coffee can increase bitterness. Fresh, finely ground coffee brewed briefly over low heat gives a more balanced flavor.