Turkish Coffee Recipe: How to Make It at Home (Expert Guide)

Turkish coffee is a strong, rich, and thick coffee topped with a delicious foam.

It's simple to make on a stovetop with very finely ground coffee, filtered water, and a Cezve or Ibrik coffee pot. The art of making and serving this type of ancient drink is an essential part of Turkish culture — it's something to be slowly savored and relished.

In this article, you’ll learn the centuries-old process of making authentic Turkish coffee the traditional way. You’ll discover tips to help you master the art of making Turkish coffee and unveil the important part it plays in Turkish culture.

Ingredients & Equipment: Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is relatively straightforward to make. But for the best results, you need to be choosy about your ingredients and equipment. Here’s everything you need to make Turkish coffee at home.

Finely Ground Turkish Coffee — Grind your coffee as finely as possible — it should be as fine as powdered sugar. You need one heaped teaspoon of ground coffee per cup.
(Alternative: If you don't have Turkish coffee, our HaNoi coffee is made with 100% robusta coffee beans and makes a great substitute.)
Cold Water — Always use cold, filtered water. The serving cup acts as the measuring cup for Turkish coffee. You need 1 ½ cups of water for every cup of coffee you’re going to make.
Sugar — The sugar is optional depending on how sweet you like your coffee. (1-2 teaspoons is average, 2-3 teaspoons makes a super-sweet dessert-like coffee, ½ teaspoon makes a slightly sweet coffee).
Cezve or Ibrik — This is a special tool for making Turkish coffee. It features a small pot where you brew the coffee, a lip for pouring the coffee, and a long handle so you can hold it without burning your hands.
Heat Source — You brew Turkish coffee over a low heat on a stove. As soon as the coffee begins to boil, you need to remove it from the heat.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Brewing Turkish Coffee

Although Turkish coffee is easy to make, getting the brewing process right is the difference between a flat, over-brewed coffee and a flavor-packed coffee topped with the characteristic foam.

To make things simple, start making Turkish coffee with the following standard method. After that, you can tailor the brewing process to suit your taste.

1. Fill Your Ibrik With Coffee

Place the finely ground Turkish coffee (one heaped teaspoon per serving), cold filtered water (1 ½ cups per serving), and sugar (if using) into the cezve.

2. Mix with Water & Stir

Use a small spoon to gently stir the ingredients together until they’re just combined. Do not stir the coffee again while it’s heating.

3. Heat Your Coffee To Boiling

Place the cezve or ibrik onto the stovetop on a medium-low heat. Warm the content until it just begins to boil — this should take 3-4 minutes. Don't leave the coffee unattended, or it will almost certainly boil over.

As the coffee brews, a dark foam will develop on the top.

4. Serve & Enjoy

Once the coffee starts to bubble and foam, remove it from the heat and gently pour into your cup — be careful to maintain as much of the delicious foam as you can.

Turkish Coffee Variations

There are many different ways to make Turkish coffee. In fact, almost every Turkish family has their own unique way of brewing the traditional drink.

Here are some variations you can try to make your Turkish coffee your own:

Water Temperature — Most people make Turkish coffee with cold water, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Experiment with room temperature or warm water to see what you prefer.

Stirring — The traditional method involves stirring the coffee, water, and sugar together at the beginning, and that's it. Try stirring the coffee together during the brewing process or at the end to see if you like it.

Heat — Turkish coffee is typically brewed over a medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low for a slower brewing process or increase the heat to high for a faster brewing process.

Boil — Experiment with boiling your coffee for a few seconds or removing the cezve from the heat before it begins to boil.

Reheating — The above directions cover the simplest way to make Turkish coffee, but some people like to reheat it several times. After the coffee has come to a boil, remove it from the heat for 1-2 minutes, then return to the heat until it comes to a boil again. Try repeating this process 3-4 times and see if you like the difference.

Extra Water — Turkish coffee is much more dense than filtered coffee. If you prefer something lighter, try thinning it by pouring warm water into the cezve after you’ve spooned off the foam.

Resting Time — Instead of pouring it right away, try leaving the coffee in the cezve for a short time to see if you prefer the flavor.

Pouring Speed — Pouring the coffee slowly helps keep the foam intact. Try pouring the coffee fast or slow to find out how it changes.

Waiting Time — Switch between drinking the coffee as soon as you pour it and waiting for 2-3 minutes for the coffee to cool slightly to find your favorite style.

Sugar — How much sugar you use is a matter of personal preference. Change the quantities until you find what you like.

Flavors — Turkish coffee is traditionally served without any added flavors. But if you want to mix things up, try adding some cinnamon, mastic, or cardamom.

How to Serve Turkish Coffee

The way you serve Turkish coffee is just as important as the way you brew it. Here’s how to get it right:

Distribute the coffee foam evenly among the cups before pouring the remaining coffee.
Serve the coffee immediately after the brewing process is complete to enjoy the full flavor.
Give each person a small glass of cool or room-temperature water and a Turkish delight along with their coffee for an authentic experience.
To keep things traditional, serve the oldest person in the room first — it’s a sign of respect.
You only need to prepare one cup of coffee per person. Turkish coffee is much denser than other types of coffee, and most people drink only one cup.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If your homemade Turkish coffee just isn’t cutting it, you’re probably making a small mistake that’s easy to fix.

Go through the following common mistakes to avoid and tips to try to find out what’s going wrong.

Improper Grind Size — Your coffee won’t turn out right if you don’t use extra-fine ground coffee. The texture should be like powdered sugar. Many grinders can’t grind coffee beans this fine. Some grocery stores have grinders available to use in the coffee section. Visit your local store and see if they have a Turkish grind option.

Over-Boiling — For the best results, take your coffee off the heat as soon as it begins to boil. If you leave the coffee to boil, the characteristic foam will disappear.

Over-Stirring — After you initially stir the coffee, water, and sugar together, you shouldn’t stir the coffee again. Stirring throughout the brewing process can cause the coffee to clump.

Too Much Sugar — How much sugar you use completely changes how the coffee tastes. Experiment with different amounts of sugar until you have your perfect ratio.

The History of Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is much more than something to drink when you’re in need of a caffeine boost. It’s part of the local heritage throughout Turkey and plays an important role in many social gatherings. No matter how many Western-style coffee shops pop up across the country, Turkish coffee remains an essential part of everyday life in Turkey.

Turkish coffee was first introduced to Istanbul in 1543 by Özdemir Pasha, the Ottoman Governor of Yemen, who discovered the drink while stationed there. It didn't take long for the process of making coffee in a cezve to catch on, and Turkish coffee soon became the standard caffeinated drink enjoyed throughout Turkey.

The first Turkish coffeehouse opened in 1554 and many others popped up in its wake. Soon people traveled from all over the city to sip the distinctive coffee while playing chess, reading books, and discussing literature.

The travelers and merchants who passed through Istanbul helped spread Turkish coffee around the world. In 1871, Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi became the first company to make roasted ground coffee and sell it to the public.

Coffee’s Role in Social Gatherings

There’s a saying in Turkey that goes, “A single cup of coffee can create a friendship that lasts for 40 years,” and it’s true. Sharing Turkish coffee is a wonderful way to connect with others.

When someone visits someone else’s home in Turkey, they’re not asked if they’d like a coffee. They’re asked how they'd like their coffee — i.e., how much sugar they'd like, is an intrinsic part of Turkish hospitality for the host to properly prepare a coffee and serve it just how the guest likes.

There are more Turkish expressions that show how crucial the drink is to the local culture: “His coffee can be drunk” and “I would drink a cup of your coffee." Both of these phrases suggest that the person you're talking about not only makes a great cup of coffee but they're an excellent host and friend.

Fortune Telling & Turkish Coffee Grounds

Reading someone’s fortune from coffee grounds all started with Turkish coffee in the 16th century. Palace wives in the Ottoman Empire would read coffee grounds as a way to share stories and gossip.

This ritual made its way to Europe by the end of the 17th century when it became a fashionable pastime in Paris. It’s still a popular ritual today that’s enjoyed among friends and family after the coffee is gone and no one wants the fun to end.

After someone has finished their coffee, they place the cup upside down on its saucer and recite the phrase, “Let my fortune match my state.”

When the cup is cool, the fortuneteller looks at the leftover coffee grounds and searches for symbols that suggest the future. The fortunes are generally positive and encourage you to be optimistic about the future.

If you’d like to give coffee ground reading a try, here are some shapes to look for:

Sunrise — Your dreams will come true

Ear — You shouldn’t believe everything you hear

Bow — A happy event is coming

Letter Y — You’ll unexpectedly run into a friend

Purse — You’ll soon receive some money

Leaf — You’ll make a new friend or receive news from an old one

3 Dots — A friend will ask for your help

Star — You’ll soon travel

Triangle — You’ll soon receive a present

Circle — Your luck will improve

Square — Beginning of happy family days

Turkish Coffee vs. Cowboy Coffee: How Are They Different?

Turkish coffee and cowboy coffee have a lot of things in common, but they’re two very different drinks.

We usually say that no coffee is better than another — the best coffee is the one you like the most. But there’s a reason you don’t see cowboy coffee available to order in coffee shops!

Comparison: Cowboy Coffee vs. Turkish Coffee

	Turkish Coffee	Cowboy Coffee
Water Temperature	Nearly boiling	Nearly boiling
Coffee Grind	Very fine, like powder	Extra coarse, like kosher salt
Style	Indulgent and to be savored	Basic and utilitarian
Taste	Stronger with an intense flavor	Weaker with a slightly smoky flavor
Settling	Some grinds settle on the bottom, while some are suspended in the coffee	Grinds settle on the bottom

FAQs: Turkish Coffee

1. What is the best grind to use for Turkish coffee?

You need extra-fine coffee grinds for Turkish coffee, which are much finer than the grind you use for espresso. The coffee should have the same texture as powdered sugar.

Many coffee grinders won’t be able to grind coffee this finely. If you’re struggling to get the coffee fine enough, visit your local grocery store. Some have specialist grinders in the coffee section that anyone can use.

2. How much coffee do I use per cup?

The amount of coffee you need per serving depends on the brewing process. For Turkish coffee, you need about one heaping teaspoon of finely ground coffee for each cup.

3. Can I make Turkish coffee without a cezve?

You need a cezve to make authentic Turkish coffee. If you don’t have one, you can use a small pot to make the coffee and achieve similar results.

The most important part of making Turkish coffee is to control the heat. Whatever you use, make sure you can see the coffee so you can remove it from the heat as soon as it starts to boil.

4. What is the significance of the foam in Turkish coffee?

The dark foam on the top of Turkish coffee is one of the most important things that makes it stand out from other types of coffee. Not only does the foam look good, but it boosts the coffee’s delicious flavor and enhances the thick texture.

5. How do I know when the coffee is done?

Turkish coffee is ready when the foam rises to the top of the cezve. For the best foam, you need to remove the coffee from the heat as soon as it comes to a boil. If you leave the coffee to boil for longer, the foam will disappear.

6. Can I reheat Turkish coffee?

We don’t recommend reheating Turkish coffee after you’ve finished brewing it. Reheating the coffee will reduce the amount of foam and have a negative impact on the flavor.

7. How do I clean a cezve?

A cezve is very quick and easy to clean. Simply rinse with water after each use and leave to dry before using again. Avoid using soap to clean the cezve as this will affect the seasoning and the taste of your coffee.

8. Is it necessary to stir Turkish coffee while brewing?

You should stir the coffee at the very beginning to combine the coffee, water, and sugar. After the initial stir, you shouldn’t stir again, as this can cause the coffee to clump.

9. Can I add flavors to Turkish coffee?

Traditional Turkish coffee isn’t flavored, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add anything for a little kick.

Here are some spices we recommend trying in your Turkish coffee:

Cinnamon
Cardamom
Mastic
Cloves
Nutmeg
Allspice
Ginger
Star Anise

For the best results, stir your spice of choice into the coffee, water, and sugar at the beginning of the brewing process.

10. How should Turkish coffee beans be stored?

You store Turkish coffee beans inside an airtight container in a cool, dry place. When you store them properly, whole coffee beans last for 12 months. Opened bags should be used within two weeks.

If you have pre-ground coffee, you should store it the same way. But because the grind is so fine, the coffee will only be good for 1-2 weeks; the quality quickly deteriorates after that.

The best way to find out if your coffee is still fresh enough to use is to drink it. Brew a batch and taste it. If it’s not as good as it usually is, your coffee beans may be past their best. If you find yourself in need of more, check out our selection of fresh, high-quality coffee beans.