| Turkish coffee is the oldest way of making | | | | First, what you need to know is that you will |
| coffee. This is a short article answering frequently | | | | need a coffee pot that holds approximately |
| asked questions about Turkish coffee. You can | | | | double the amount of coffee. This is because |
| also post your question as a comment and I'll do | | | | coffee must have enough room in the pot to |
| my best to answer it. | | | | foam up and furthermore because of the |
| Questions are in bold. | | | | so-called "oven effect". |
| What kind of coffee must I use for Turkish | | | | Let me explain... |
| coffee? | | | | Traditional Turkish coffee pots have an hourglass |
| Turkish coffee nowadays is usually made of Latin | | | | shape. This special shape creates an oven-like |
| American blends. Usually the blends contain two | | | | effect when making Turkish coffee. The |
| kinds of coffee: Arabica and Robusta. Except for | | | | oven-effect is highly desirable for better taste. |
| the Latin American coffees the blends may also | | | | The only requirement for this "oven-effect" is to |
| include coffees from Asia or Africa. Some of the | | | | fill the pot till the point where the pot diameter is |
| best coffees for Turkish blends come from Brazil, | | | | smaller. Usually this means a half-full pot. |
| Ethiopia and Yemen. | | | | So, If you want to make two demitasse cups, |
| Should I use a coffee particularly made for | | | | for you and your friend, you will need a 4 |
| Turkish coffee or can I use any blend? | | | | demitasse-cup size coffee pot. |
| Turkish blends are created in a special way to be | | | | Please note that sizing differs among |
| optimized for Turkish coffee making. Most people | | | | manufacturers. So instead of looking for a 4-cup |
| that drink the popular Turkish coffee brands are | | | | size coffee pot look for a coffee pot that holds |
| used to a special characteristic taste. This doesn't | | | | 4*60ml which equals 240ml. 60ml or |
| mean that you cannot use another coffee blend | | | | approximately 2oz is the size of a demitasse cup. |
| to make Turkish coffee. For example you can | | | | What about a coffee pot for just one cup? |
| use an espresso blend. The only requirement is | | | | In this case you will need a coffee pot that holds |
| that it must be ground very fine like powder. If it | | | | 2*60ml=120ml coffee. |
| isn't ground fine enough there will be no foam on | | | | What about one normal cup? |
| top of the coffee after you make it and the | | | | One normal cup is approximately 250ml so you |
| taste will be weak. | | | | will need a 500ml pot. |
| So, in other words you can experiment with any | | | | These numbers are not exact. They are just |
| blend you want if you grind it fine enough for | | | | guides to help you. Most of the times buying a bit |
| Turkish coffee. The taste will be different than | | | | smaller coffee pot will also be adequate. |
| the usual though. | | | | Can I grind Turkish coffee with my coffee |
| Is it healthy? | | | | grinder? |
| Turkish coffee is as healthy as any regular coffee. | | | | Turkish coffee is ground at the most fine grind |
| Actually according to some some researches a | | | | setting. Most grinders for home use are incapable |
| quantity of two small Turkish coffee cups | | | | of grinding so fine. If you have a blade grinder |
| (demitasse cups) can be beneficial for the heart. If | | | | consider upgrading to a burr grinder. This doesn't |
| you exceed this amount then it may become bad | | | | mean that every burr grinder can grind Turkish |
| for your health like any other coffee. Bear in mind | | | | coffee. So if you are in the market in research of |
| that Turkish coffee is made almost as quickly as | | | | a burr grinder make sure it has a Turkish coffee |
| instant coffee but it's far better for your health. | | | | setting. Some burr grinders don't have a Turkish |
| What is this thick thing on top of Turkish coffee? | | | | coffee setting but they can be modified very |
| Is it like espresso? | | | | easily to grind fine enough for this coffee. This |
| When you make Turkish coffee properly you will | | | | information can be easily found if you make a |
| notice on top a layer of dark, thick and | | | | couple of searches in a search engine. |
| homogeneous foam. This is also known as kaimaki | | | | Another solution are manual-operated Turkish |
| in Greece. If the coffee doesn't have kaimaki then | | | | coffee grinders. These grinders are much cheaper |
| something is definitely wrong with the coffee | | | | than burr grinders and because of their low speed |
| making: | | | | coffee is ground gently without getting heated. In |
| - small quantity of coffee used | | | | cheap burr grinders because of the small burr |
| - not properly heated | | | | dimensions the rotating speed is higher. This way |
| - ground coarser than required | | | | the friction is bigger and the heat generation is |
| - very stale coffee | | | | higher. More heat means more coffee taste |
| In some Eastern countries it is an insult to serve | | | | destruction! So in other words small grinding |
| Turkish coffee without this special foam on top. | | | | speeds of manual grinders are better for your |
| Kaimaki foam is looks similar to the espresso | | | | palate! The big drawback is that this sort of |
| crema but it very different in terms of physical | | | | grinding can remind you of manual labor |
| properties. The espresso crema is formed not | | | | sometimes... |
| only due to heat but also because of high | | | | Is there any special way to serve Turkish |
| pressure so it's quite different. | | | | coffee? Any special tradition? |
| Do I need any special expensive equipment for | | | | If you have guests and you want to impress |
| Turkish coffee? | | | | them with your coffee making mastery and your |
| Making Turkish coffee is very easy and very fast. | | | | hospitality you can do some simple things. First |
| All you need is a small coffee pot and a heat | | | | use a big traditional looking serving tray and put |
| source. You can use a small stainless steel pot | | | | some glasses of water for your guests. Water is |
| and your electric stove top but it's preferable to | | | | used to clean the mouth before tasting the |
| use a traditional copper or brass Turkish pot. | | | | coffee. Prepare the coffees immediately before |
| Regarding the heat source it's better to use low | | | | serving time so that they keep their kaimaki |
| fire to make the coffee. A gas burner or an | | | | foam and their temperature. You can pair the |
| alcohol burner is my favorite heat source for | | | | coffee with some cookies or muffins. |
| home use. | | | | For dessert after the coffee you can offer |
| What size coffee pot do I need? | | | | traditional Turkish delight or baklava. Your guests |
| This is a question that creates a lot of | | | | will be grateful! |
| misunderstandings. Basically it depends on how | | | | If you have any questions about Turkish coffee |
| much coffee you are going to make each time. | | | | please post your comments. Enjoy! |