Turkish coffee is a sweet, thick coffee made from finely ground beans boiled in water and served with foam on top. The traditional way to make Turkish coffee is using an ibrik pot. This blog post will show how you can still enjoy the delicious taste of Turkish Coffee without your traditional equipment!
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What is Turkish Coffee?
The first thing we must clarify is that Turkey does not grow its own coffee. Coffee is prepared using finely crushed Arabic coffee beans. It’s more of a culinary experience than a brewing process.

While the phrase “Turkish coffee” refers to the way coffee is made, I must inform you that it does not resemble regular coffee beans. You may be fooled into thinking it’s cocoa powder after seeing how finely ground it is. This is why we also adore Turkish coffee as a component in desserts.
In a cezve or ibrik, the ground coffee is mixed with water and sugar (if used). They are the ideal equipment for preparing this genuine coffee. These are small copper pots with a lengthy handles, but stainless steel, ceramic, or even glass pots are now available.
There are many sizes to choose from. The smallest is for a single serving, while the largest may make up to six servings. It’s small and deep with a broad base and a tiny neck, allowing for maximum foam production when making coffee. This pot is prepared over the lowest possible heat or on hot sand by combining coffee and water.
You end up with a thick and foamy coffee that has a distinct aroma. It is served in tiny Turkish coffee mugs with a lot of froth on top. It’s critical to have adequate foams, which demonstrates how skilled you are at making coffee.
Turkish coffee is prepared in a specific way. It’s served in tiny demitasse cups or kahve fincan, as they’re known in Turkish. They are similar to espresso cups but are traditional Turkish coffee cups.
A glass of water, usually cold, and a sweet treat, such as Turkish delight or chocolate, are usually on the side. It’s even more elegant in culture if you serve it with a classic dessert like hot and crispy kunafe baklava. From milling to cooking and serving this coffee, it’s like taking part in a sacred ritual.

What you need to make Turkish coffee
To begin, you must grind your coffee beans. You may use any variety or roast you choose, but the grind size for Turkish coffee must be extremely fine. The grind size of Turkish coffee is actually finer than espresso, and most home makers will struggle to achieve the required fineness.
If you have access to one, we strongly advise using a commercial-grade grinder. Otherwise, set your grinder to the finest grind possible. Even if they aren’t technically Turkish coffee, your results will be excellent.
How to Make Turkish Coffee With an Ibrik
Grind your coffee to the finest possible degree. The texture of Turkish coffee grounds is similar to flour. We don’t think that grinding coffee too finely for Turkish coffee is feasible, so don’t hold back. To make one cup of water, aim for 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee.
Fill a small saucepan halfway with water, bringing the total amount to 16 ounces. This quantity of coffee is enough for two cups.
Pour the coffee into a cup and add it to the water. We recommend beginning with 2 tablespoons, although some individuals like 3. Turkish coffee is strong, so start on the low side if you want to be safe.
Bring the coffee to a boil over medium heat. The coffee will begin to foam as it approaches boiling. As soon as you see foam forming, remove the coffee from the heat and wait for the foam to dissipate. Before it boils, you must take away the coffee from the heat.
Remove the foam from the heat once it has subsided. Repeat the process, heating over medium heat until you notice foam beginning to form. You can skip this stage if you don’t want your coffee to be bitter.
Serve the coffee. Turkish coffee is traditionally served in espresso-sized cups, but you may use a normal cup instead. Unless you want to chew your coffee, wait a few moments for the grounds to settle before taking your first sip.
Tips on Making Turkish Coffee
There are several methods for creating your coffee with the correct amount of foam on top and the proper consistency:
- Use fresh ground coffee. It does not foam if your coffee is not fresh and has been stored in your pantry for months. To keep your coffee tasting good after you open the bag, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Use cold water instead. Never use warm or hot water to make it.
- When stirring the coffee and if you are adding sugar, do it gently, don’t mix too fast.
- When the coffee has finished brewing, remove it from the heat. Stir two or three times until the coffee starts to rise before lowering the heat. Allow it to boil only if absolutely necessary. Remove it just before it boils and share the foams between cups using a teaspoon.
- Pour the coffee carefully into the cups after reheating it in order for the bubbles to remain secure.
Sugar and Milk
Many people enjoy milk and sugar in their coffee, and Turkish coffee is no exception. Milk or sugar may be added to genuine Turkish coffee, although this is not required. If you dislike the flavor of real Turkish coffee, add some milk or sugar to it; however, only do so if absolutely necessary. Try your drink without any milk or sugar first.

Spice it Up
To boost the flavor of Turkish coffee, many users add ground cardamom.
Cardamom, like all spices in Turkish coffee, adds a distinct dimension to the drink. If you want to try it, add one cardamom pod to your coffee before boiling it. Use ⅛ teaspoon of ground cardamom if you only have whole cardamom.
You might also like Iced Honey Oatmik Latte (Starbucks Copycat Recipe) by The Coffee Chef
Making delicious coffee Turkish-style
Making Turkish coffee at home can be a challenge if you don’t have the proper equipment. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make it without an ibrik or grinder. You’ll need ground coffee and boiling water- how much depends on how strong you want your coffee to taste. The finer the grind, the stronger your cup will be. Then you can enjoy classic style Turkish coffee whenever you want.
