by Nigel Ong
One of the more unique ways to enjoy coffee is to drink Turkish coffee. It is a traditional and rich coffee that can rival espresso in taste and intensity. What is Turkish coffee, and how do you enjoy it?
Turkish coffee is commonly prepared using finely ground coffee beans and simmered in a small pot called a Cezve. Turkish coffee is best enjoyed hot in a small cup, with sweet tidbits such as Turkish Delights or Baklava.
This post explores what makes Turkish coffee different and how you prepare one. You will also discover what a good cup of Turkish coffee tastes like and how you can best enjoy your cup.
What Makes Turkish Coffee Unique?
Turkish coffee may trace its origins to the Ottoman Empire in 1531. At the time, the governor of the province of Yemen brought the coffee-drinking practice to the Ottoman palace.
The Ottoman Sultan of the time, Suleiman the Magnificent, took to the idea and introduced the habit to the rest of the empire.
However, the practice underwent some changes in preparation and taste, eventually becoming the Turkish coffee we know today.
Turkish coffee grounds are very fine, with an almost powdery consistency. Additional spices and ingredients may be added to Turkish coffee, such as salep, mastic, or cardamom.
Today, Turkish coffee is popular in Turkey and parts of the old Ottoman Empire. You may see locals sipping Turkish coffee in places as far away as the Balkans, Algeria, or Lebanon. You can also enjoy Turkish coffee in the US, usually in Arabic or Turkish restaurants.
As for myself, my love affair with Turkish coffee started back in college years in New Zealand. I enjoyed sipping on thick Turkish coffee late at night after work, while munching down sweets and looking at the passers by.
I still go for my Turkish coffee occasionally these days, usually after a good serving of Arabic meal of roast lamb, and spiced rice. And yes, I still look for those beautiful sweet desserts to munch along with my coffee.
How Is Turkish Coffee Made?
Turkish coffee is made rather differently than your regular cup of joe. The tools and utensils are unique and, as a result, produce a very different style of coffee.
You start by grinding your Arabica beans down. Turkish coffee grounds are very fine, with an almost powdery-like consistency.
Then, add the coffee ground, some spices, and water into a Cezve. The Cezve is a small pot usually made of copper. It has a small handle that extends out from the pot itself. In some places, they are called Ibrik.
You then heat the pot over a fire. Very traditional preparation uses charcoal fire or hot sand. As the coffee boils, you pour about one-third of the coffee from your Cezve into your cup.
Then, place the Cezve back into the fire, wait until it boils again, and pour the coffee out. You repeat the process until all the coffee is poured out. You are usually served with sugar to sweeten the drink yourself.
Some coffee shops will keep the coffee in the Cezve and serve it out for you to pour yourself. The coffee is not filtered, so there will be some coffee grinds in your drink.
How Does Turkish Coffee Taste?
The easiest way to describe how Turkish coffee tastes is to imagine it as something espresso-like but with a heavier dose of spices. If you like spices in your coffee, you will enjoy Turkish coffee.
Presentation and Aroma
On presentation, Turkish coffee looks dark brown, without crema. This is because Turkish coffee is not pressure-brewed, unlike espresso.
The coffee is thick, usually even thicker than espresso. This is because Turkish coffee is served with the coffee grind inside, which causes the coffee to be thicker. This also makes Turkish coffee more intense in taste.
At this point, you may also pick up the aromatic smell of a cup of Turkish coffee. Many will describe the smell as inviting and relaxing.
Your nose may also detect the aroma of spices such as cardamom, anise, or mastic. Some Turkish coffee can smell floral and herbal, depending on the beans used.
Taste And Flavor
On the first sip, you may notice its strong and bold taste, perhaps even stronger than your regular espresso. Some may even describe the initial taste as being ‘punched in the face.’
This super bold flavor comes from the brewing method. Since Turkish coffee is ground very fine, this helps the Cezve extract maximum flavor from the coffee.
After the initial ‘punch’ goes away, you should be able to taste the finer flavors in your cup. Many may describe Turkish coffee as earthy, with aromatic notes. You may also pick up tastes of spices, such as cardamom, cinnamon, and more.
The magic with Turkish coffee is that different makers will blend the coffee with different spices. This means if you love the taste of Turkish coffee from a particular shop or maker, you have to go back to the same place.
After you swallow your sip, you may notice a slight spicy sweetness lingering on your tongue. Feel free to chase the flavor with another sip.
How To Enjoy Turkish Coffee?
Turkish coffee is enjoyed throughout the day. It is drunk throughout the day, usually as a digestif or after-meal drink. Many also enjoy Turkish coffee with snacks.
My favorite local Turkish cafe in Singapore serves Turkish coffee directly with the Cezve. I was also served a small espresso cup and some sugar.
The common practice is to pour the coffee from the Cezve into your espresso cup slowly. The idea is to minimize the coffee grounds from the Cezve from entering your cup. However, some drinkers pour the whole thing in.
You can then season your coffee, usually with sugar. I drink mine without sugar to taste it better.
As for the tidbits, enjoying Turkish coffee with sweet snacks is common. Popular options include Turkish Delights and Baklava. Turkish Delights are basically starchy cubes coated with sugar.
Baklava is made from filo pastry, with chopped nuts added on top. Syrup or honey is then added to sweeten it. In my case, I ordered some Baklava to snack along with my coffee.
In some restaurants, you may have the option to order a Knafeh. Knafeh is another popular dessert from the Middle East, made with semolina and cheese. They are then topped off with crushed nuts and sweetened with syrup.
Once you finish, you can also indulge in a uniquely Turkish tradition, fortune telling with coffee. In this case, a fortune teller will try to read your fortune based on the shapes and lines of the coffee grinds inside your cup.
Wrapping Up
Turkish coffee may be intimidating to some, especially if you have never tried coffee with spices. The coffee tastes different, and you enjoy it with different snacks too.
However, do not let it worry you. As long as you have an open mind and are willing to experiment with new ways of drinking coffee, Turkish coffee should be something novel and fun.