Turkish coffee is prepared in a cezve — a small, long-handled pot often made from brass or copper. The coffee is boiled in the cezve and the grounds are allowed to settle before pouring — no straining or filtering is necessary.
The average cup of Turkish coffee contains a potent hit of caffeine — approximately 50 to 65 milligrams. However, its strength varies depending on the type of bean, roast, and preparation technique. Learn more about the caffeine content, benefits, and how to make Turkish coffee in this article…
How Much Caffeine in Turkish Coffee
On average, a single serving of Turkish coffee — which is around 60 milliliters (2 ounces) — contains 50 to 65 milligrams of caffeine.
Per milliliter, it contains 0.8 to 1.25 milligrams of caffeine.
The exact caffeine content can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- Coffee Type — The type of coffee beans and how they’re roasted plays a significant role in the caffeine content of Turkish coffee. Arabica is traditionally used, but if robusta or a robusta-rich blend is used, the coffee will have a much higher caffeine content.
- Serving Size — Turkish coffee is traditionally served in small 60 mL cups. If you increase the serving size to a regular 240 mL cup, the caffeine content will increase substantially.
- Brewing Time — How long the coffee is brewed in the cezve will also affect the strength of the coffee. Steeping the grounds for a longer period will increase the caffeine content in the resulting brew.
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio — Turkish coffee typically uses a lower coffee-to-water ratio than other brewing methods, such as espresso and moka pot. If the coffee-to-water ratio is raised, the resulting brew will have a higher caffeine concentration.
Comparing the Caffeine in Turkish Coffee to Other Brews
Now you know that the average caffeine content in a serving of Turkish coffee is between 50 and 65 milligrams, how does it compare to other types of coffee?
Note: The average Turkish coffee contains 0.8–1.25 mg of caffeine per mL of coffee.
Here are four of the most popular types of coffee and how they compare to Turkish coffee:
1. Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee served in 30 mL (1 oz.) shots. It’s a strong brew made by forcing pressurized hot water through finely ground, tightly packed coffee. It’s typically made from arabica beans.
A normal shot of espresso contains 63 milligrams per shot — roughly the same amount of caffeine as a serving of Turkish coffee.
Caffeine Specs:
2. Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is the “regular” type of coffee you make at home and find in roadside cafes, fuel stations, and bars. It’s a strong dark brew that’s made using a drip coffee machine that circulates hot water through ground coffee.
A typical cup of drip coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine — almost twice as much caffeine as one serving of Turkish coffee.
Caffeine Specs:
3. Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water over a long period (usually 24 hours). The average cold brew coffee contains 150 milligrams of caffeine — almost three times as much as a serving of Turkish coffee.
Caffeine Specs:
4. French Press Coffee
French press coffee is made by brewing coarse-ground coffee in a French press before plunging to strain.
The caffeine content in a cup of French press coffee varies drastically depending on the type of coffee used, the coffee-to-water ratio, and brewing time. The average cup contains approximately 80 to 135 milligrams of caffeine.
Caffeine Specs:
Benefits of Turkish Coffee
Drinking Turkish coffee in moderation may offer a range of benefits.
Here are some of the potential benefits of Turkish coffee:
1. Improves Mental Alertness
Turkish coffee has a high caffeine content. It stimulates the central nervous system, which can improve focus and concentration and increase energy levels.
Drinking Turkish coffee may make you more alert, more productive, and more focused. However, drinking too much could lead to caffeine-induced side effects that are detrimental to productivity, such as anxiety, increased heart rate, and the “jitters.”
2. Antioxidant Benefits
Turkish coffee contains antioxidant compounds like polyphenols, chlorogenic acids, and melanoidins. Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress in the body, which could reduce inflammation, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve blood circulation [1].
Drinking Turkish coffee in moderation may improve overall health due to its antioxidant benefits.
3. Supports Metabolic Health
Turkish coffee, like other high-quality coffees, may support metabolic health.
Studies have found that regular coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes [2]. It’s believed that certain phytochemicals found in coffee regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Drinking Turkish coffee in moderation could help with weight management and improve metabolic health through these actions.
4. Improves Mood
Turkish coffee stimulates the production of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine [3]. These neurotransmitters are known as “happy hormones” because they influence mood.
Drinking Turkish coffee could help you lead a happier life through its stimulation of these hormones. However, consuming too much Turkish coffee could have the opposite effect — inducing anxiety and restlessness.
5. Social Benefits
Drinking Turkish coffee is a social event. Brewing a cezve of coffee and sharing small cups with friends is the best way to consume this strong brew.
Drinking Turkish coffee could help improve your social life by creating a new shared ritual with friends. Stopping to enjoy a Turkish coffee provides a moment of pause in life that can be used to engage and strengthen social connections.
How To Make Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is traditionally brewed in a small pot called a cezve. Although the brew is relatively simple to make, it’s an art form that can take years to master.
Here’s how to make this iconic coffee:
You Will Need
- Arabica coffee beans
- Water
- Sugar (optional)
- Coffee grinder
- Cezve
- Stove
- Small coffee cups
1. Grind the Coffee
Grind one to two teaspoons of coffee (per serving). You want the finest grind possible — almost the texture of baby powder.
We recommend the DaLat Coffee (100% Arabica) for a traditional brew. If you want a stronger cup, try the DaNang blend (Robusta & Arabica) blend.
2. Measure the Water
Measure cold filtered water using the serving cup you'll be using — traditionally 60 mL (2 oz.). Add a cup of water to the cezve for every serving you're making.
3. Add the Coffee
Add one to two teaspoons of coffee (per serving) to the cezve. If you want to sweeten the brew, add sugar at this stage.
Here’s a guide for sweetening your Turkish coffee:
4. Brew the Coffee
Stir the liquid until well combined. Place the cezve on the stove at low heat — do not stir the brew while it’s on the heat.
As the Turkish coffee brews, it will start to foam.
5. Remove and Pour the Foam
When the coffee begins to foam, take it off the heat and spoon some of the foam into each cup.
6. Return to the Heat & Repeat
Once you’ve collected the first foam, return the cezve to the heat and allow it to froth again. Just before the cezve boils over, remove it from the heat, allow it to settle, and return to the heat again.
Repeat this process two to three times until you have a rich, thick-bodied coffee.
7. Pour and Serve
Once brewed, pour the coffee from the cezve into the small cups gently. Avoid disturbing the coffee — you want the fine grounds to settle.
Enjoy the brew slowly, gently sipping from the lip of the cup. Discard the final drops of coffee in the bottom of the cup — this contains the grounds.
FAQs: Turkish Coffee
Want to learn more about Turkish coffee and the caffeine content of other brews?
Read through the answers to the frequently asked questions we’ve received below...
1. Is Turkish Coffee Stronger Than Regular Drip Coffee?
Yes. In terms of milligrams of caffeine per millimeter of coffee, Turkish coffee is stronger. However, there is more caffeine in a regular serving of drip coffee than there is in a normal serving of Turkish coffee because of the volume difference.
2. What Type of Bean is Used in Turkish Coffee?
Traditionally, dark roast arabica beans are used to make Turkish coffee. However, Turkish coffee can be made with a variety of beans, including robusta and liberica.
3. How Does the Grind Size Affect Caffeine Levels in Turkish Coffee?
Turkish coffee should be made with an extra-fine grind — almost as fine as baby powder. The finer the grind, the stronger the coffee because there's more surface area for caffeine extraction.
4. Can You Reduce the Caffeine Content in Turkish Coffee?
You can reduce the caffeine content in Turkish coffee by using weaker blends or decaffeinated coffee grounds.
5. How Does Turkish Coffee Compare to Cold Brew in Terms of Caffeine?
Turkish coffee contains more caffeine than cold brew coffee. Turkish coffee contains around 0.8 to 1 milligrams of caffeine per milliliter of coffee, whereas cold brew contains around 0.4 milligrams of caffeine per milliliter. With that said, a typical serving of cold brew contains more caffeine than a serving of Turkish coffee due to the larger volume.
6. How Many Cups of Turkish Coffee Can You Drink Safely in a Day?
The FDA recommends that the average healthy adult shouldn't consume more than 400 mg of caffeine per day [4]. Turkish coffee contains 50 to 65 mg of caffeine per. According to the FDA’s guidelines, you can drink six to eight cups of Turkish coffee per day.
7. Is Turkish Coffee Suitable for People with Caffeine Sensitivity?
People with caffeine sensitivity should avoid Turkish coffee and other concentrated brews such as Cuban coffee, espresso, and moka pot coffee. If you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, opt for a decaf brew or light arabica drip or pour-over coffee.
8. Can You Make Decaffeinated Turkish Coffee?
Yes. It's possible to make decaffeinated Turkish coffee by using a finely ground decaf coffee blend. However, the resulting brew may not have the characteristic bold, strong flavor as the original caffeinated beverage.
9. What Are the Traditional Serving Sizes for Turkish Coffee?
The traditional serving size of Turkish coffee is 60 mL (around 2 ounces). It’s served directly from the cezve in small ceramic mugs.
10. Does Adding Sugar to Turkish Coffee Affect the Caffeine Content?
No. Adding sugar to Turkish coffee will reduce bitterness and sweeten the brew, but it will not affect the caffeine content.
References:
- Mirmiran, P., Hosseini-Esfahani, F., Esfandiar, Z., Hosseinpour-Niazi, S., & Azizi, F. (2022). Associations between dietary antioxidant intakes and cardiovascular disease. Scientific reports, 12(1), 1504.
- Kolb, H., Martin, S., & Kempf, K. (2021). Coffee and lower risk of type 2 diabetes: arguments for a causal relationship. Nutrients, 13(4), 1144.
- Lee, J. B., & Kim, T. W. (2019). Ingestion of caffeine links dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine release during half immersion in 42° C hot water in a humans. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 15(4), 571.
- Leduc-Savard, N. (2022). Spilling the beans: How much coffee is too much coffee? Mars, 2022, 0.
