Never Drink Alone: A Guide to Turkish Coffee
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Out of all caffeinated rituals, Turkish coffee takes the (coffee) cake. That's because, according to some experts, Turkish coffee isn't a type of coffee—it's a cooking method. Commonly seen across Middle Eastern cultures, the beverage looks and acts similar to espresso, served in a small cup and tasting very rich yet very different.
Turkish coffee is made with coffee ground finer than espresso (the ideal Turkish coffee grind has a flourlike consistency) and a brewing process that involves boiling three times. It's an unfiltered drink, so the coffee grounds eventually settle to the bottom of the cup. The grounds make for a thick drink, but they also play an important role in the auspicious ritual of fortune telling, a practice that ultimately inspired my love for the brew.
My introduction to Turkish coffee was with my sister's Iranian family (we have different fathers. Her father, Ali, is from Iran). Upon visiting them to celebrate the Persian New Year, my sister's aunt made Turkish coffee after dinner one evening and a family friend proceeded to 'read' the coffee grounds and tell us our fortunes (I dive into the specifics of this process more below). While I cannot adhere to the validity of fortune telling, I will say that the family friend predicted I'd have a son. That was over 10 years ago. At the end of 2024, I gave birth to my first child, a healthy baby boy.
But you don't have to get your fortune told to enjoy Turkish coffee. You also don't have to search too far and wide across the coffee forums to find strong opinions about the strong coffee and how it should be made. This was possibly my biggest setback in research, as there are those who suggest beginning the brew with hot water, while others suggest cold water. Some suggest sugar, others without. Some suggest high heat, others low. You might have even seen Turkish coffee being prepared in sand. (The owner at my local Palestinian deli tells me that this is mostly a tourist gimmick.)
So, to the coffee nerds, the anal and the meticulous, if you're hoping for a 'right' way to make Turkish coffee, I hate to disappoint you. Those who make Turkish coffee in their home regularly measure and brew with their heart, and each household has a similar but almost always slightly different method. It's your preferences that will ultimately guide the ins and outs of your brewing. Table of Contents
Turkish coffee is often served in a cup that's usually no more than 2 ounces. It might look similar to espresso, but while espresso is brewed under high pressure, Turkish coffee is brewed by boiling finely ground (even more fine of a grind than espresso) coffee in a cezve . A cezve (referred to as an ibrik in other countries like Palestine) is a small pot with a long handle, usually holding around 10 to 15 ounces and made out of copper.
Generally, Turkish coffee is boiled in the cezve in three parts. After each boil, a small amount is poured into the coffee cup. The cezve is returned to the stove after each pour until you've filled your cups. The process of boiling the coffee multiple creates a thick and frothy coffee that is very strong and very aromatic.
Ideally, Turkish coffee is ground with a traditional Turkish coffee grinder like this. Because Turkish coffee is ground to a fineness that most commercial coffee grinders cannot achieve, your best bet is to buy it pre-ground (I've suggested a few brands below). I almost considered using my Sana Grain Mill (8/10, WIRED Recommends) to see if I could achieve the grind, but didn't want to risk the coffee flavor in my homemade flour.
Traditionally, finely ground Turkish coffee is mixed with water in a cezve, along with some sugar, depending on your preferences. You'll bring the coffee to a boil on low/medium heat over an open flame, usually in three parts. The first boil will develop a foam (think crema, as seen in other coffee drinks). This foam is essential to Turkish coffee, as the drink's frothy thickness makes it stand out from others. Some recipes suggest using a spoon to scoop the initial foam into your prepared cups. Otherwise, you'll use the cezve to pour it into your prepared coffee cups a little at a time. Put the cezve back on the stove to boil and repeat this process twice more until you've filled your coffee cups to the rim.
As I mentioned earlier, it's important to note that, unlike other coffee styles in which technicality is prioritized with scales and thermometers, you'll see neither of these aspects come into play when making Turkish coffee. With roots that date back to the 16th century in the Ottoman Empire, Turkish coffee is a drink integrated into and born of a culture. So, think of Turkish coffee like your grandma's cooking—a recipe acts as a guide, but it is ultimately a process that is led with the heart.
You may not place much stock in auspicious practices, and I don't blame you. But in case you're curious, there are traditions to be respected.
The fortune-telling process begins once you've finished your drink. You'll place your coffee cup upside down on its saucer. The grounds will drip and scatter, and this is what the fortune teller will analyze to determine your fortune.
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Just as my family friend read my coffee grounds on that fateful day 10 years ago, the practice of fortune telling through Turkish coffee should be done by someone who is experienced in the craft. It is strongly suggested that you do not try to read your own fortune.
This act of fortune telling also establishes something important when it comes to Turkish coffee: It's a social activity—something meant to be enjoyed with company. It's not a science. A great example of this is my local Palestinian deli using hot water to make its Turkish coffee. Beginning with hot water may go against what some coffee aficionados recommend (beginning with cold water is usually ideal for any brewing process to achieve optimal flavor and extraction), but many places selling Turkish coffee do this to speed up the process and serve their customers more quickly. When making the recipe below, don't focus on being too technical.
Yields 2 2-ounce cups of Turkish coffee 1 cezve
2 small (2 oz.) coffee cups 2 heaping Tbsp Turkish coffee
6 ounces water
1 tsp sugar (optional)
Combine Turkish coffee, sugar, and water in your cezve. Stir until combined. Put cezve over a low/medium gas stove flame and slowly bring to a boil over a couple of minutes (if it boils too fast, it's harder to develop the initial foam). Once boiling to the top, quickly take the cezve off the stove and pour a small amount into your prepared cups (about half an ounce).
Return the cezve to the open flame and bring to a boil. Repeat steps 3 to 4 twice more until you've filled your cups to the brim. Serve immediately. You can prepare Turkish coffee over a non-gas stove, although it will take longer
When I say heaping, I mean heaping ! Don't be afraid to indulge.
! Don't be afraid to indulge. My local Palestinian deli grinds cardamom into its coffee. It takes the flavor to the next level.
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The Temptation Of Old Hangouts Returning home often brings a yearning to revisit those old hangouts, the spots where you spent countless hours as a teenager. Whether it's the local mall, a favorite park, or that coffee shop where you spent hours talking with friends, these locations hold a magnetic pull. According to urban sociologist Dr. Alan Moore, local environments and their associated memories can deeply influence emotional and social behaviors, making these visits powerful in their nostalgia and emotional connections. When you revisit these places, you often experience a mix of emotions. There's the excitement of reliving good memories, but also a tinge of sadness for the time that's passed. These locations serve as landmarks of your youth, each carrying its own story. The act of returning can be bittersweet, highlighting both what you've gained and lost. It becomes a journey through time, offering a unique perspective on the person you've become. 8. 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While the roles may feel confining, they also serve as a bridge between who you were and who you are now. 10. The Past Hobbies Come Flooding Back Homecomings often reignite interests in past hobbies, those activities you once adored but left behind in the rush of adult life. Whether it's picking up a guitar, diving back into old video games, or dusting off art supplies, these pursuits have a way of drawing you back in. It's a chance to reconnect with the passions that once defined you, offering a comforting sense of familiarity and joy. These hobbies serve as a creative escape, a reminder of the simpler joys you once cherished. However, revisiting these hobbies can also highlight how your interests and abilities have evolved. You may find yourself approaching them with fresh perspectives, shaped by new experiences and knowledge. There's an opportunity for rediscovery, to reintegrate these passions into your current life. It's not just about indulging in nostalgia; it's about finding a place for these hobbies in your adult identity. This blend of past and present offers a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. 11. The Nostalgia Hits Being home often prompts a deep dive into the media you loved as a teenager. From re-watching classic movies to flipping through old music playlists, these experiences offer a powerful nostalgic pull. The familiarity of these songs and films evokes a sense of comfort and connection to your younger self. It's a chance to relive the cultural touchstones that shaped your adolescence. These media choices serve as time machines, transporting you back to pivotal moments in your life. However, revisiting old media also highlights how your tastes and perspectives have shifted. You may find yourself critiquing what you once loved or appreciating nuances you missed before. This process of reevaluation can be enlightening, offering insights into how you've grown and changed. It's a chance to reflect on the ways your identity has evolved over time. While the nostalgia is potent, it also underscores the dynamic nature of personal growth and transformation. 12. The Lack Of Privacy Sets Your Off Returning home often stirs a desire for solitude, a retreat to your personal sanctuary within the family home. This craving can stem from a need to recharge, away from the busyness of family interactions. Your old room, once a refuge during teenage years, becomes a sanctuary once more. The familiarity of those four walls offers a sense of security and comfort, a place to reflect and unwind. It's a return to the introspective habits that characterized much of your youth. However, this solitude also serves as a space for contemplation, a chance to assess how much has changed since those adolescent days. As you sit in silence, you may find yourself grappling with the duality of who you were and who you've become. This reflection can be both comforting and challenging, an opportunity to connect with your inner self. It's a chance to reconcile past aspirations with present realities. The solitude offers a unique window into the ongoing journey of self-discovery and personal growth. 13. The Rebel In You Flares Up Returning home can awaken a dormant sense of rebellion, a subtle resistance to authority reminiscent of teenage defiance. This dynamic often surfaces in interactions with parents, as age-old battles over independence and autonomy resurface. Despite being an adult, there's a temptation to push back against perceived restrictions or unsolicited advice. This resistance is deeply rooted in the struggle for personal identity and autonomy, a hallmark of adolescence. It's a natural reaction to the complex interplay of family dynamics and personal growth. However, this resistance also offers an opportunity for reflection and growth. As you navigate these interactions, you may find yourself reevaluating your relationship with authority. There's a chance to develop a more balanced approach, recognizing both the wisdom of parental guidance and the importance of personal agency. This negotiation of boundaries is a crucial aspect of mature adulthood, fostering healthier relationships and personal autonomy. While the resistance may feel juvenile, it ultimately contributes to the ongoing evolution of your identity. 14. The Need For Validation Is Triggered Returning home often stirs a deep-seated need for validation, a craving for approval reminiscent of teenage years. This desire can manifest in various ways, from seeking praise for accomplishments to revisiting old achievements. It's a natural inclination rooted in the formative experiences of adolescence, where parental approval played a significant role. This need for validation reflects the ongoing journey of self-worth and personal growth. It's a complex interplay of past influences and present aspirations. However, this craving also highlights the importance of self-validation. As you navigate these interactions, there's an opportunity to cultivate a more robust sense of self-worth. Recognizing your achievements and embracing your unique journey fosters a healthier relationship with external validation. It's a chance to reconcile past insecurities with present confidence, fostering a more balanced sense of self. While the need for validation may feel reminiscent of teenage years, it ultimately contributes to the ongoing evolution of self-esteem and personal growth. 15. The Old Anxieties Hit Hard Going home can trigger the return of old anxieties, a resurgence of worries and fears from adolescence. This phenomenon often arises from the familiarity of the environment and the roles you once played. These anxieties, whether related to family dynamics or personal insecurities, can resurface with surprising intensity. It's a reminder of the challenges you faced during your formative years, a testament to the enduring impact of early experiences. These emotions reflect the complex interplay of past influences and present realities. However, the return of these anxieties also presents an opportunity for growth and healing. As you confront these feelings, there's a chance to develop healthier coping mechanisms and perspectives. Embracing mindfulness and self-compassion can foster resilience and personal well-being. It's a chance to reconcile past fears with present strength, fostering a more balanced sense of self. While the return of old anxieties may feel challenging, it ultimately contributes to the ongoing journey of personal growth and emotional resilience. Solve the daily Crossword
