Greek coffee is an ancient beverage that has been around for thousands of years. It is an integral part of Mediterranean life and is a staple in many Greek households. Greek coffee is unique in its preparation, requiring finely ground coffee, special stovetop pots, and carefully measured amounts of water. The result is a rich and intense coffee, with a thick layer of foam called ‘kaimaki’ on top. Learning how to make Greek coffee is an art that many Greeks like to share with family and friends, and it’s a great way to add a bit of cultural flair to any gathering.
Overview of Greek Coffee
Greek coffee is a traditional style of coffee that is made with finely-ground coffee beans, usually a dark roast. It is usually boiled in a traditional pot known as a ‘briki’ and served in small coffee cups. The coffee beans are ground extremely finely, so they form a powder like consistency. Greek coffee is usually made with cold water that is added to the briki along with the coffee grounds and then boiled on a stove top until the grounds rise to the top. It is important to stir the coffee while it is boiling, as this makes it foam at the top. The foam should be left undisturbed as it is said to provide fortune telling. Once the boiling stops, it is ready to serve.
Why Greek Coffee is Unique
Greek coffee is unique due to its unique brewing method that has been practiced for centuries. Unlike other methods of coffee preparation, Greek coffee is brewed in the cup itself by mixing coffee grounds and sugar (optional) with boiling water, and served in the same cup (with the grounds in it).
To make Greek coffee, start by using finely ground coffee. If desired, add one to two teaspoons of sugar for each cup of coffee. Place the ground coffee and sugar into a cezve (small Turkish-style pot with a long narrow spout). Boil a pot of water and, when the water reaches a rolling boil, pour it into the cezve. Place the cezve over medium heat and stir until the coffee is lightly foaming. As soon as the coffee foams, remove it from the heat before it boils over. Pour it into a small cup and serve.
Greek coffee can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without sugar, and is traditionally served with a teaspoon, along with each cup to stir the grounds that settle at the bottom of the cup.
Necessary Supplies
In order to make Greek coffee, you will need an ibrik, a small coffee cup, a small pot, a spoon for stirring, and coarsely-ground coffee. The ibrik is a traditional Turkish style of pot that is made of brass or copper and is designed with a long handle. The small coffee cup and the pot should be filled with the same amount of cold water. Finally, the spoon used for stirring the coffee should be made out of wood, as this will provide the best flavor.
Coffee
Greek coffee is a type of coffee that is made with a special method and using special ingredients. The process of making Greek coffee requires a few particular steps that should be followed to achieve the best flavor. First, the grounding of the coffee is very important since the grind should be very fine. Then, the grinds should be added to a briki (a small pot with a special shape) with cold water. The mixture should be brought to almost boiling but not boiling before the sugar is added. If desired, the sugar can be added along with a pinch of cardamom. Finally, the briki should be left to boil for no more than a minute and poured, un-stirred, in small glasses or cups. After the coffee is served, it should be stirred before drinking as the grounds settle to the bottom.
Water
Greek coffee is made by adding coffee grounds, cold water and sugar (optional) to a briki (an elongated coffee pot). The briki is then placed over a heat source, usually a stove or campfire. The coffee is then brought to a boil and served in small demitasse cups, often accompanied by a glass of cold water. It is important to stir the coffee constantly during the boiling period to prevent it from boiling over. When there is a thick foam formed on top, the coffee is ready to be served. Once the coffee is poured, it is often generously sprinkled with cinnamon and/or a spoonful of sugar added per cup.
Coffee Pot
Greek coffee is traditionally made in a slow-brewing “briki” pot. A briki is a long-handled pot that is either made of metal or ceramic. It has a narrow spout that allows the brewed coffee to be poured slowly and uniformly. The briki has a large base so that the grounds can settle to the bottom as the coffee is brewed. The pot is filled with hot water, a few tablespoons of coffee grounds, and a teaspoon of sugar (optional). The ingredients are stirred together and heated over low heat. The coffee should not boil, just simmer until the solids sink to the bottom. Once the final drops trickle out of the spout, it is done and can be poured into cups. Greek coffee is usually served with a glass of cold water and a loukoumi (Turkish delight).
Method
Greek coffee is prepared in a way that has been used for centuries. The traditional way of preparing Greek coffee is using a small copper pot called a “briki”. To make Greek coffee, you start by adding cold water to the briki along with one to two teaspoons of finely ground coffee. You then stir the mixture, and place it on the stovetop over medium-high heat. As it starts to boil, foam will start to form on top of the mixture. Once the foam has risen to the desired level, the briki is quickly removed from the flame and stirred once more to allow it to cool and settle. Then, the Greek coffee can be served in cups and is usually accompanied by a glass of cold water.
Water Preparation
Greek coffee is a traditional way of preparing coffee. To make it, start by pre-heating the water in a Greek briki (a long-handled copper pot). Next, spoon one heaped teaspoon of medium-coarse Greek coffee into the briki for each cup of water you plan to use. Many cafes and restaurants that serve Greek coffee use pre-measured packaged coffee. Once the water is heated, add it to the briki and stir the mixture until it begins to come to a boil. Stir three more times to make sure that the grounds settle at the bottom of the pot. When the coffee begins to foam up, take the briki off the heat and let it stand for a minute before pouring. Be careful when pouring as the grounds may come up, resulting in muddy coffee. For best results, allow the coffee to settle for two minutes before drinking.
Measure/boil desired amount
To make Greek coffee, you must first measure out the desired amount of water and place it in a briki (a small copper pot). Then, bring the water to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and add one heaping teaspoon of Greek coffee grounds for every cup of water. Stir the coffee until it forms a foam, then return it to the heat and bring it to a gentle boil. Allow the coffee to simme for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from boiling over. When finished boiling, remove from heat and pour into demitasse cups. Serve hot.
Let cool for 5 minutes
Once the greek coffee is finished brewing, it needs to cool for about 5 minutes before being served. During this time, the grounds settle into the bottom of the pot. The foam from the boiling, which is a sometimes a desired topping, begins to dissipate. It is also important to let the coffee cool off as to not burn the tongue with hotter-than-expected liquid. Gently pouring the coffee into a cup also ensures that it is not overly hot. Depending on preference, you can either take a few moments to savor the scents of the freshly made greek coffee or pour it all into a larger cup to drink directly.
Coffee Preparation
Greek coffees (also known as Turkish or Greek-style coffees) are made with finely-ground coffee. The grounds are carefully measured and boiled with water and sugar in a small narrow-necked pot known as a briki. Depending on preference, you can use less sugar or a combination of both granulated and coffee-spoon sugar.
When preparing Greek coffee, it is important to use fresh water and high-quality coffee grounds. Start by placing the coffee grounds and sugar in the briki. Slowly add cold or room temperature water to avoid getting scorched grounds. Then stir with a teaspoon and place the briki on a hot plate, or stove. Boil the coffee mixture until the frothy foam reaches the top. Let it settle and pour the coffee in Demitasse cups. It is also important to let the coffee settle before drinking. Enjoy it with a cube of sugar, or a spoonful of honey or ice cream.
Measure desired amount of coffee
To make Greek coffee, the traditional rule-of-thumb is to use one heaped teaspoon of ground coffee for every demitasse cup of coffee you’d like to make. However, this can be adjusted to personal preference, so if you like a stronger cup of coffee, you can add more coffee. Ultimately, the quantity of coffee used will depend on personal taste and preferences, so it is best to experiment to get the desired taste.
Combine with water in coffee pot
To make Greek coffee (also known as Turkish coffee), start by measuring out 2 teaspoons of coffee grounds, depending on how strong you want your coffee to be. Pour into the pot, adding an equal amount of sugar, then slowly add enough hot water to just cover the grounds. Place the pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring each time the mixture starts to boil. Allow the pot to reach a full boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for another minute or so, until the foam billows up to the top of the pot. You are now ready to serve.
Stir mixture until fully incorporated
Making Greek coffee requires an ibrik, or small pot designed for making coffee on a stovetop. To make Greek coffee, fill the ibrik about two-thirds of the way with cold water and add two full tablespoons of finely ground coffee. Place the ibrik on a medium heat source and stir the coffee and water together until the mixture is fully incorporated. As the coffee heats up, the grounds will rise toward the top. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Once the grounds are at the top, heat the mixture for an additional 10 seconds and then take the ibrik off the heat source. Allow the coffee to settle before serving and enjoy!
Cooking the Coffee
Greek coffee is made in a small pot called a briki and is brewed over an open flame. The coffee grinds are added to cold water in the pot and expected to settle to the bottom. It is then heated over direct heat, stirring continuously as it wont until it comes to a full boil. This should take three to four minutes. The ideal temperature is to bring the coffee to a full boil but not to let it boil for too long. When the coffee starts to foam, it is taken off the heat, and the foam is spooned into small cups with a little bit of cold water added. The result is a sweet flavor that is strong and thick.
Heat the mixture on low flame
Greek coffee is made with a briki, or small pot, and is traditionally made with a small amount of finely ground coffee. To make greek coffee, place the desired amount of water, the desired amount of sugar (optional), and the desired amount of ground coffee in the briki and stir to combine. Place the briki over low heat and stir occasionally until the coffee starts to foam. Once the foam is thick and creamy, remove the briki from the heat and allow the grounds to settle. Stir the coffee once more and pour into small demitasse cups or mugs. Serve the coffee with a glass of cold water.
Do not let the coffee come to a boil
To make Greek coffee, the process is the same as making any other brewed coffee, but the water temperature is especially important. It should be brought just below a boil, then removed from the heat before it reaches the boiling point. This ensures that the coffee grounds are extracted but don’t become over-extracted. If the water is brought to a full rolling boil, the flavor of the coffee can become bitter or burnt. The water can be boiled again once the coffee has been brewed, if desired.
After foam forms, remove from heat
When making Greek coffee, once you see the foam form on the top of the coffee, remove it from the heat. Keep in mind that the foam should be small, no higher than 1/2 inch or 1 cm. Allow the coffee to settle a little before pouring it away from the pan, carefully avoiding any of the sediment that has collected at the bottom. Greek coffee should be served hot and unsweetened.
Let the foam settle
Making Greek coffee requires that you let the foam settle after pouring the coffee into the cup. Greek coffee is made by boiling coffee grounds, sugar, and water together in a metal pot called a briki. Once the coffee has reached a rolling boil, you should reduce the heat and let the foam settle on the top of the coffee. When it has settled, gently pour the rest of the coffee into the cup. By doing this, you will keep the foam settled on the surface of your cup of coffee, creating a unique, rich flavor and enjoyable experience.
Serving
To make Greek coffee, all you need is a briki (coffee pot), finely ground coffee, water, and a spoon. First, fill the briki about three-quarters full of cold water and bring it to boil on the stove. Once boiling, add one level, heaped teaspoon of ground coffee into the briki for every cup of coffee desired and stir with the spoon. Let the coffee boil while stirring until it reaches the desired thick foam. Serve into small espresso-style cups, as Greek coffee is enjoyed in small doses. As a custom, turn the briki one or two times while serving to mix any remaining grounds at the bottom of the pot. Enjoy!
Pour into cups
Making Greek coffee involves submerging the finely ground coffee grounds into a small pot of cold water. Heat the coffee pot over medium heat until the coffee starts to rise. Once the foam starts to form, remove the pot from the heat and pour the coffee into the individual cups, dividing the foam equally among them. It is traditional to place a little ground cinnamon in the cups before pouring in the Greek coffee. Enjoy your delicious Greek coffee!
Add sugar, if desired
To make Greek coffee, you need the following ingredients: freshly ground Greek espresso coffee, cold water, and sugar (optional). Start by measuring a heaping teaspoon of freshly ground coffee for each cup desired and add it to the briki (a Greek coffee maker). Then, add cold water, up to the line inside the briki, for each teaspoon of coffee. Finally, if desired, add a teaspoon of sugar to the cup/s. Place the briki on medium heat and stir the mixture with a teaspoon. When the coffee begins to foam and come to a boil, gently stir it so it doesn’t overflow. When the coffee is at a full boil, remove it from the heat and pour it into the cup/s. Enjoy your Greek coffee with a glass of cold water and sweet treats.
Conclusion
Greek coffee, also known as Turkish coffee, is a unique brewing method that creates a strong and flavorful cup of coffee. To make a perfectly brewed Greek coffee, you will need a Greek coffee pot (known as a “briki”), finely-ground coffee, and cold water. To begin, bring the briki to a medium heat. Once heated, add your desired amount of coffee to the bottom of the pot, being careful not to use too much as the coffee will expand as it brews. Next, add a small amount of cold water and stir until all the coffee is blended. Once mixed, add the remaining cold water to the pot and bring the liquid to a boil (this should take about 4 minutes). Watch as it boils, and make sure to remove it from the heat before the liquid starts to overflow. Finally, the coffee should be poured slowly in a circular motion into small cups that are placed on the saucer. Now you are able to enjoy a cup of traditional Greek coffee with friends and family!
Reiteration of Steps
1. Start by measuring the desired amount of coffee and adding it to the pot.
2. Add your desired amount of water and then put the pot on a low heat.
3. Gently move the pot around in a circular motion to combine the ingredients and heat them evenly.
4. When the coffee and water bubbling begins to get thicker and darker in color, remove it from the heat.
5. Pour your Greek coffee into a cup and enjoy.
Enjoy the Perfect Cup of Greek Coffee
Making Greek coffee is a simple but rewarding task that many value as a kind of ritual. It’s essential, however, to follow a few key principles if you want to make the perfect cup of Greek coffee.
You’ll need a briki – a small pot – and medium-grind coffee that’s freshly roasted and ground. Greek coffee is served without a filter, so the grounds are kept in the cup.
Measure out one tablespoon of coffee per cup into the briki. Add 1 tablespoon of cold water for each cup. For a sweetened cup, add sugar here as well – usually 1 teaspoon per cup. Put the briki on the stove over a low flame until the mixture begins to froth and the grounds start to rise to the top. Turn the heat off as soon as the coffee comes to a full boil.
Using a long spoon, skim the grounds from the surface and divide the remaining liquid between the cups. Enjoy!
