Surj (Armenian Coffee Brewed in a Jazzve)
Local name: Սուրճ
In short: Finely ground coffee heated slowly in a small long-handled pot until a thick foam rises, then poured into small cups and left to settle. It takes about 8 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 1 min
- Total
- 8 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 20 kcal
Small cups, thick foam and a pot with a long handle: that is Armenian coffee, called surj. The pot is a jazzve, also known as a cezve or ibrik. Coffee ground as fine as flour is heated slowly with cold water, and sugar if you like, until the foam rises. It is poured into small cups and served with a glass of cold water. Sip slowly and leave the grounds at the bottom.
Instructions
- Fill each small serving cup with cold water and pour it into the jazzve. This measures one serving per cup. Add the sugar, if using, the cardamom and the coffee.
- Stir once, until the coffee and sugar are fully wet and dissolved. Do not stir again after this point.
- Set the jazzve over the lowest heat. Heat slowly for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until a dark foam forms and begins to creep up the neck.
- When the foam rises to just below the rim, lift the jazzve off the heat before it boils. Spoon a little foam into each cup.
- Return the pot to the heat for a few seconds, until the coffee rises again, then lift it off. Repeat once more for a thicker foam.
- Pour slowly down the side of each cup so the foam stays on top. Rest for 1 minute so the grounds sink, then serve with a glass of cold water.
Tips
- Start with cold water and keep the heat low. Slow heating builds a thick, even foam, which is the sign of a good cup.
- Use coffee ground as fine as powder. Ordinary drip grind is too coarse to foam and leaves a gritty cup.
Questions and answers
What kind of pot do I need?
A jazzve, also called a cezve or ibrik, which is a small copper or steel pot with a narrow neck. A very small saucepan works too, but the foam is harder to control.
How fine should the coffee be?
As fine as powder or flour. Ask for Turkish grind, or use a grinder on its finest setting. Ordinary drip grind will not foam.
Can I make it without sugar?
Yes. Leave out the sugar for plain coffee. For this two-cup pot, use 1 teaspoon for medium or 2 teaspoons for sweet. Add it before heating, since it cannot be stirred in later.
How long does it take to make Surj (Armenian Coffee Brewed in a Jazzve)?
About 8 min in total: 3 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Surj (Armenian Coffee Brewed in a Jazzve)?
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.
