Turkish coffee, also known as Türk Kahvesi, is much more than just a small cup of strong coffee. The very finely ground coffee, the preparation method, and the characteristic foam create a coffee experience that differs significantly from filter coffee or espresso.
But how do you make good Turkish coffee at home? How much coffee do you use per cup? When do you add sugar? And do you need a traditional cezve for that, or can you also use an electric Turkish coffee maker?
In this guide, we explain it step by step.
What is Turkish coffee?
Turkish coffee is made with coffee beans that are ground particularly finely. The grind is much finer than the grind typically used for filter coffee.
The coffee is not passed through a filter during preparation. The finely ground coffee powder remains in the coffee and slowly settles to the bottom of the cup after pouring.
Another feature is the layer of foam on top of the coffee. With proper preparation, you try to preserve this foam as much as possible.
What do you need for Turkish coffee?
The base is surprisingly simple. You need water, very finely ground Turkish coffee, and small coffee cups. Sugar is optional.
For preparation, you can use a traditional cezve, but nowadays there are also electric appliances specially developed for Turkish coffee.
TEKZEN, for example, offers various Turkish coffee machines from Arzum and Arzum OKKA, as well as electric models from Cheffinger. The current range runs from compact appliances for single cups to more extensive machines.
How much Turkish coffee per cup?
A handy rule of thumb is to use the same coffee cup you intend to serve the coffee in to measure the water.
Per cup, use approximately:
1 cup of cold water + approximately 1 full teaspoon of finely ground Turkish coffee.
The exact amount can, of course, be adjusted to your own taste and the size of the cup.
Want to make two cups? Then double the amount of water and coffee.
Turkish coffee with or without sugar?
With Turkish coffee, sugar is traditionally added during preparation, not after the coffee has been poured.
Therefore, it is useful to ask in advance how someone likes to drink their coffee.
You can roughly choose between coffee without sugar, lightly sweetened, medium sweetened, or sweet. How much sugar is pleasant remains, ultimately, a matter of taste.
Step-by-step Turkish coffee with a cezve
Start by measuring cold water and pouring it into the cezve. Then add the very finely ground coffee and, optionally, the desired amount of sugar.
Mix the ingredients before the coffee has warmed up completely.
Next, heat the coffee gently.
During heating, more and more foam will form on top. Let the coffee rise gently, but prevent it from boiling over vigorously.
When the foam rises, remove the cezve from the heat source.
Carefully distribute the foam and the coffee into the cups.
Why is the foam so important?
The foam is a recognizable part of Turkish coffee.
Boiling too aggressively can cause the foam to largely disappear. That is why traditional preparation is more about slow and controlled heating than letting the coffee boil hard.
Furthermore, pour the coffee carefully. By doing so, you try to distribute the foam as evenly as possible among the cups.
Let the coffee rest for a moment
Turkish coffee is not filtered. After pouring, the fine coffee powder is therefore still in the cup.
Give the coffee a short moment before you start drinking. Some of the coffee grounds can then settle to the bottom.
It is therefore better not to drink the last bit in the cup completely: the majority of the grounds are usually found at the bottom.
Making Turkish coffee with an electric coffee maker
If you want to make Turkish coffee regularly, you can also choose a Turkish coffee maker.
These appliances are specifically designed for this method of preparation and take over part of the heating and monitoring process.
Within the current TEKZEN range, you will find, among others, the Arzum OKKA Minio, Minio Jet, New Minio Jet 2, Rich Spin Pro and Rich Pro Plus.
A compact model such as the Arzum OKKA Minio, for example, has a capacity of four cups and a power output of 480 watts.
For those looking for more options, the OKKA Rich Pro Plus features, among other things, various settings, a built-in water reservoir, and a coffee pot with a mixer.
Cezve or Turkish coffee machine?
Both methods have their advantages.
With a traditional cezve, you have a lot of influence over the entire preparation process. You determine the heat yourself, keep an eye on the foam, and remove the coffee from the heat at exactly the desired moment.
An electric Turkish coffee maker is especially attractive when you want to make preparation easier and more consistent.
What suits you best therefore depends primarily on how often you drink Turkish coffee and how much control or convenience you want during preparation.
Turkish coffee for several people
Do you regularly make coffee for family or guests? If so, pay close attention to the capacity of an electric coffee machine.
The compact appliances within the TEKZEN range, for example, are suitable for about four or five cups, while larger versions can prepare more coffee at once. The OKKA Grandio DUO, for example, is offered for up to ten cups and features two brewing pots.
This makes capacity an important difference when comparing different Turkish coffee machines.
How do you serve Turkish coffee?
Turkish coffee is traditionally served in small cups.
Because the coffee has a powerful flavor, you do not need a large mug. A glass of water on the side is a good accompaniment, and something small and sweet can fit nicely with the coffee.
The most important thing, however, is to drink the coffee slowly. After all, the coffee grounds remain at the bottom of the cup.
Making Turkish coffee yourself
For Turkish coffee, you ultimately need very few ingredients. The difference lies mainly in the fine grind, the ratio of coffee to water, slow heating, and preserving the foam.
You can start with a traditional cezve or choose the convenience of an electric Turkish coffee maker.
Those who make Türk Kahvesi regularly can compare different machines based on capacity, power, and extra functions.
Check out the Turkish coffee machines and coffee machines at TEKZEN. The current range includes various models from Arzum, Arzum OKKA, and Cheffinger.