-
Prep time
5 minutes
-
Cook time
10 minutes
-
Makes
2 Turkish coffee cups
Author Notes
If you have ever been to Turkey, you would know that Turkish coffee is ingrained in its culture. Here is a step-by-step tutorial that will not only teach you how to make it, but also will give you the insight into the customs behind it. —Aysegul Sanford
Test Kitchen Notes
You'll impress all of your family and friends with this Turkish coffee recipe. You can customize it to suit everyone's taste in terms of the sweetness. Use no sugar, a little bit, or a lot depending on how your day is going and what your guests' desires may be. You can also throw in some cardamom or cinnamon for some additional flavor. Turkish coffee is made with extremely finely ground coffee beans, so there's no need to use a filter, and you can use any kind of bean you'd like. If you don't want to grind your own, you can find some at Middle Eastern markets or online. You'll also feel like a pro when you master the froth technique; just be sure to watch it carefully and remove it from the heat before it starts to boil over. Feel free to rewarm to get the desired consistency. The coffee is always served with water: A sip of water will allow the person to clear his or her palate before drinking the coffee, which results in the maximum amount of enjoyment.
Additionally, most people serve the coffee with a small, sweet treat like Turkish delights, chocolate, or candy. When serving, it's important to start with the eldest guest in the room as a sign of respect, and it's considered discourteous not to do so. Since Turkish coffee is much denser than filtered coffee, it's not customary to drink more than one cup. Making this coffee every weekend morning could become a favorite new ritual. —The Editors
Watch This Recipe
Turkish Coffee
Ingredients
-
3 cups
(Turkish coffee cup-sized cups) cold filtered water
-
2 1/2 tablespoons
ground Turkish coffee
-
Sugar, as desired
Directions
-
In a metal Turkish coffee pot (cezve), place the water, coffee, and sugar (if desired). (If one or more of the guests prefers no sugar, however, prepare and pour that cup first. After returning the coffee pot to the heat, begin the sugar additions to suit the remaining guests.)
-
Using a small spoon, stir briefly until just combined. Place the pot on the stovetop.
-
Over medium heat, slowly bring the coffee mixture to a boil, 3 to 4 minutes. Keep a close watch.
-
As the coffee warms, you will see a dark foam building up. When the mixture is close to coming to a boil, use a teaspoon to transfer some of the foam into each of your two Turkish coffee cups. Return the coffee pot to the stovetop.
-
As the coffee comes to a boil, pour half of the coffee into the cups over the foam.
-
Return the coffee pot to the stovetop and boil the remaining coffee for an additional 15 to 20 seconds. Pour the remaining coffee into the cups to the rim.
See what other Food52ers are saying.