Turkish Coffee Recipe

Time10m

Serves1

Make Turkish Coffee Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Measure
Measure 1 heaping teaspoon (= about 2 tsp) of finely ground Turkish coffee per 3 oz cup. For this recipe use 2 tsp Turkish coffee and 3 oz cold water per cup. Add sugar to taste at this stage; recipe uses 1 tsp for mildly sweet coffee. If using cardamom, lightly crush one pod.
2
Combine ingredients
Place a small cezve (ibrik) or small saucepan on a clean surface. Pour 3 oz (about 90 ml) cold water into the cezve. Add 2 tsp finely ground Turkish coffee and 1 tsp sugar into the cold water — do not stir yet. Add the crushed cardamom pod if using.
3
Dissolve gently
Gently stir the mixture just enough to combine grounds and sugar with water until most powder is wetted and sugar is mostly dissolved (about 8–10 seconds). Avoid vigorous stirring that causes froth to collapse.

4
Heat slowly
Place the cezve on low heat. Heat very slowly to allow a thick foam to form. Do not stir after heating begins. Watch the surface carefully as the coffee warms; this slow heating (about 3–4 minutes) extracts flavor and builds foam.
5
First foam rise
As the coffee heats, a dark foam (crema) will form and rise toward the rim. Just before it boils and overflows (when foam reaches the lip and small bubbles start to appear), remove the cezve from heat. This is typically when small streams of foam appear and the liquid begins to move.
6
Skim and return
Spoon a little of the foam into each serving cup to distribute the foam evenly. Return the cezve to low heat and let foam rise a second time, again removing it just before it boils (about 30–45 seconds).
7
Final brief heat
Optionally return the cezve to heat a third time for a very short moment so the coffee is hot throughout, but avoid a full rolling boil to prevent bitterness. Remove promptly.
8
Settle grounds
Let the cezve sit for 20–30 seconds off the heat so grounds settle to the bottom before pouring.

9
Pour
Slowly pour the coffee into the demitasse cup(s), aiming to distribute the foam on top. Pour gently so the settled grounds remain in the cezve as much as possible.
10
Accompaniments
Serve immediately with a small glass of cold water to cleanse the palate. Optionally accompany with Turkish delight or a small sweet. Do not stir the coffee in the cup; allow grounds to settle to the bottom before drinking. Avoid drinking the last sip to leave grounds behind.