Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee)
In short: Finely ground coffee brewed slowly with cold water in a small long-handled pot, served in small cups under a thick layer of foam. 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
- 18 kcal
Turkish coffee is brewed, not filtered: very fine coffee and cold water are heated slowly in a small pot until a thick foam rises. It is served in tiny cups with the grounds left in, and the sugar goes in during brewing, so guests are asked how sweet they like it first. A cup follows a meal, a visit or a family gathering, with a glass of water alongside. Done right, it takes five minutes.
Instructions
- Pour the cold water into a cezve (a small long-handled pot), measuring with the serving cups.
- Add the coffee and the sugar, if using, and stir once until just combined. Decide on the sugar now, because it cannot be added after brewing.
- Set the cezve over low heat and do not stir again. After about 3 minutes the surface darkens and foam starts to gather and rise at the edges.
- Just before the foam reaches the rim, lift the cezve off the heat. Spoon a little foam into each cup.
- Return the cezve to the heat for a few seconds until the foam rises again, then pour the rest gently into the cups so the foam stays on top.
- Let the cups sit for 1 to 2 minutes so the grounds settle. Serve with a glass of water and sip slowly, leaving the grounds at the bottom.
Tips
- The grind must be as fine as flour. Ordinary espresso grind is too coarse and will not give you a foam, so buy coffee ground specifically for this method.
- Cook slowly over low heat. Rushing the brew over high heat makes the coffee bitter and the foam weak.
Questions and answers
Do you stir Turkish coffee?
Only once, when the water, coffee and sugar are first combined. Stirring while it heats breaks up the foam.
Can I make Turkish coffee without a cezve?
A very small saucepan works, though the foam is harder to control. Choose one with a narrow top if you can.
How much sugar should I add to Turkish coffee?
Turks order it plain, a little sweet, medium or sweet. As a guide, use none, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp or 2 tsp per cup.
How long does it take to make Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee)?
About 8 min in total: 3 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Türk Kahvesi (Turkish Coffee)?
About 18 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 18 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
