Bosanska Kahva (Bosnian Coffee)
Local name: Bosanska kahva
In short: Finely ground coffee brewed slowly in a small copper pot until a thick foam rises, then poured into small cups and sipped with a sugar cube. It takes about 8 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 8 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 20 kcal
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, coffee is a pause rather than a drink on the way somewhere else. It is brewed in a džezva, a small long-handled copper pot, from very finely ground coffee and water, and served with a cube of sugar and a glass of water. People sip it slowly with company, often with a piece of rahat lokum (Turkish delight). The fine grounds settle at the bottom of the cup, so the last sip is left behind.
Instructions
- Rinse a džezva or small saucepan with hot water. Pour in the cold water and warm it over medium heat until it is steaming and just about to boil.
- Take the pot off the heat and stir in the coffee until it is wet through.
- Return the pot to low heat. When the foam rises to the rim, after about a minute, lift the pot off before it boils over. Spoon a little of the foam into each small cup.
- Let the pot settle for 20 seconds, then return it to the heat until the coffee rises once more. Pour the coffee slowly into the cups so the foam stays on top, then let it stand for a minute so the grounds can settle.
- Serve with a glass of water, a sugar cube on each saucer and, if you like, a piece of rahat lokum. Sip slowly and leave the grounds in the cup.
Tips
- Use coffee ground to a powder, finer than for espresso. Coarse grounds will not foam or settle properly.
- Do not stir after pouring. Stirring lifts the grounds back into the cup and makes the coffee bitter.
Questions and answers
Is Bosnian coffee the same as Turkish coffee?
The method is very close: fine grounds, a small pot and no filter. The differences are in small habits, such as serving sugar cubes on the side in Bosnia.
Can I make Bosnian coffee without a džezva?
Yes. Use a small saucepan with a pouring lip and watch it closely, because the foam rises and boils over quickly.
How strong is Bosnian coffee?
It is strong and slightly thick, but the cups are small, so the caffeine is about the same as a short espresso.
How long does it take to make Bosanska Kahva (Bosnian Coffee)?
About 8 min in total: 3 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bosanska Kahva (Bosnian Coffee)?
About 20 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 20 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 2 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
