COFFEE GUIDE
Turkish Coffee
Unfiltered coffee cooked in a cezve. 500 years of tradition in a small cup.
WHAT IT IS
Turkish coffee is made by combining very finely ground coffee (the consistency of flour) with cold water and optional sugar in a small copper or brass pot called a cezve or ibrik. The mixture is heated slowly, stirred once, and brought to a foam just before boiling, then poured into a small cup with the grounds left in.
HOW IT IS MADE
Finely ground coffee and cold water (and sugar if desired) are added to a cezve. The mixture is heated over low heat and stirred gently until the coffee and water combine. As it approaches a boil, a foam rises. The pot is removed from heat. The foam is spooned into the cup first, then the coffee is poured. Let it settle 1 to 2 minutes before drinking.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Very strong, slightly grainy, and thick. Much more intense than filtered coffee. The sediment at the bottom is expected. Can be very sweet (çok şekerli), medium sweet (orta), or unsweetened (sade).
WHEN TO ORDER IT
At a Turkish, Middle Eastern, or Greek cafe. For an authentic cultural coffee experience. When you want to experience coffee at its most traditional and unfiltered.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "Turkish coffee." Specify sweetness: sade (no sugar), az şekerli (a little sweet), orta (medium sweet), or çok şekerli (very sweet). Do not stir it and do not drink the grounds at the bottom.
VARIATIONS
Greek coffee: essentially identical, with a different cultural attribution. Arabic coffee (qahwa): cardamom-spiced, lighter roast variation.
CAFFEINE
About 50 to 65mg per small cup, similar to a single espresso.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Turkish Coffee. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
Find a great Turkish Coffee near you
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Find a great Turkish Coffee near you