How to make Turkish coffee correctly, tasty and foamy

It seems that brewing coffee in a Turk is not difficult: the device is simple, you just need to pour in ground coffee, add water and heat it. But some people cook it thin and weak, some cook it just right, while others cook it bitter, strong and sharp. Much depends on the coffee itself, as well as on personal preferences, but if you are just starting to master preparing a drink in this way, it is worth finding out how many spoons of coffee to put in a coffee pot for 1 person, as well as in a 300 or 500 ml pot, for any volume. With our calculations, you can brew an amazing drink in a cezve according to your taste.

gold standard

The so-called gold standard or golden ratio is the ratio of coffee grounds (grams) to water volume (ml) of 1:18. This definition comes from the Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and is generally considered the standard for coffee. This, of course, is a simple number and easy to remember, but no one will measure such proportions every time.

The best ratio is the one you like. Plus or minus a couple of grams usually doesn't change anything. If you try any instructions or recommendations online and you don’t like them, keep experimenting. Your coffee is solely your pleasure.

Important: try to take a Turkish coffee cup for the amount of coffee you usually drink. It’s better to cook two servings in a small one than cook one serving for yourself in a too large one.

Factors that influence the taste of Turkish coffee

Even if you calculate the ideal dosage of coffee for 1 or 2 people, 350 or 600 ml per Turk, the taste will only be necessary if you use the same coffee, the same cups, spoons and water. Changing any of these factors in some sense affects how many spoons of coffee to put in the Turk.

• Type of coffee. Robusta is traditionally more bitter and strong, full-bodied. Arabica is softer and more aromatic. Blends are packaged in different proportions; Arabica can be 90%, 80%, or even 60%. If you change your favorite brand, the taste will change a little.
• Features of grain. Depending on at what altitude and in what climate the coffee trees grew, how they were processed, the taste in the cup will change, sometimes it is quite clearly felt. Different manufacturers use different varieties of beans, hence the differences.
• Roasting degree. A light roast will reveal notes of flowers and citrus, a medium roast will reveal honey, vanilla and chocolate tones, and a strong roast will reveal a bright taste of dark chocolate and burnt caramel.
• Grinding degree. Turkish coffee usually requires a fine grind, almost to dust, this is how coffee is prepared in the Oriental style. If the grind is very coarse, the drink will brew faster, but its taste will be more watery and the flavors will not have time to develop. If you buy ground coffee in packs, the standard grind is medium, so you have to keep the drink on the fire longer to release the flavor components.
• Cooking speed. Some people like a long brewing process accompanied by pleasant conversations, so that the spices and coffee release all their oils and fill the kitchen with a mind-blowing aroma. Others are always in a hurry and prepare coffee almost on the run, on a strong window, just to make it faster.

For Turks, it is advisable to use the finest grind and cook over low heat, so you will get a pleasant velvety consistency.

What nuances affect taste and aroma?

Variety

For Turks, they choose fresh roasted grains, which are ground 5-10 minutes before cooking. This prevents essential oils and acids, which are responsible for the smell and richness of the drink, from evaporating.

The Arabica variety will provide a rich aroma. Lovers of strength will appreciate the mixture of Robusta and Arabica. Find out more in the article “Names and characteristics of coffee varieties.”

Cezve material

Pay attention to the material from which the Turk is made. A practical option is metal utensils with a food-grade tin center.

You will enjoy the rich taste of the drink if you choose a cezve made from baked clay. But you can only cook the selected variety in it once, since with frequent use the clay accumulates aromas.

If you prefer variety, choose a ceramic model. Read more in the article “What should a Turk be made of?”

For lovers of variety

Add flavor notes - experiment with spices, seasonings, toppings.

It is impossible to imagine a Turkish recipe without cardamom, anise, and cinnamon. Sugar will change the taste and create a fluffy foam. In Turkey, serving a drink without foam means disrespect for the guest.

Interesting! How many cups of coffee will be produced from 1 kg of beans?

A pinch of salt will soften the bitter aftertaste. Another option is to pour milk into a pre-prepared drink.

Find out how to brew an original drink in the article “What else is added to coffee for taste and aroma.”

Maintain the proportions of coffee and water, which we will discuss further.

So how many spoons of coffee should you put in a Turk for one person?

There is not and cannot be a clear answer: some people like very strong espresso and drink it from a 50 ml cup, others brew 300 ml and like to drink it from a huge mug. However, calculation methods still exist:

Typically, a 200 ml serving uses 7 grams of ground coffee.

• A level teaspoon holds approximately 4 g of ground grain.
• A heaped teaspoon contains approximately 6 grams.

That is, if we need 7 g, that’s about 2 level spoons per cup or one heaped spoon and a little more at the tip.

It is advisable to use the scale at least once and measure exactly how much fits into the specific devices you use when measuring.

Now let’s measure the approximate amount of coffee per cup of different sizes:

It is clear that the numbers are a bit relative; rarely does anyone measure grams. But remember about a heaped spoon - 6 g.

Making Turkish coffee for 2 people

It would seem that the calculations should simply be twice as large, but in fact, this is not how it works. You need to pour in a little less, since the drink takes longer to prepare, which means it will be stronger. Even while the water is just heating up, the flavoring and aromatic substances are already beginning to pass into the liquid medium. That is, a higher concentration is obtained, and if you do not want the drink to be too strong, you should sprinkle less.

If you do not drink coffee at the same time, and for some, the drink remains in the Turk so that it does not cool down, it continues to be saturated, and as a result it will turn out to be too strong and bitter. Do not let the drink come into contact with the grounds in the cezve for a long time; pour it into cups immediately.

How long should you brew coffee?

Today, different coffee recipes are known. Each of them is interesting and good in its own way. A reasonable question arises: how long does it take to prepare a drink? In most cases, it will take no more than 10 minutes to brew aromatic and rich coffee. However, each recipe is individual, and for a true gourmet, time is not the most important thing in the process. First of all, you should pay attention to the correct sequence of actions.

The time depends largely on the quality of the Turka and the material from which it is made. Therefore, how much coffee to brew depends on the specific case and method. If you prepare the drink on a gas stove and in a copper vessel, it will take an average of seven to ten minutes (and no more). If you give preference to sand or a ceramic pot, the process may be significantly delayed or, conversely, accelerated.

In general, time is a very important indicator and it is of great importance for the entire process. If you do not wait the required number of minutes, the ground grains will not be able to settle to the bottom. If, on the contrary, you brew it for too long, the coffee may burn and acquire a bitter and unpleasant taste.

On the other hand, the concept of “time” in such a matter is very conditional. Even an experienced barista cannot say with accuracy how long to brew coffee in a Turk. This is real art, so rush and conventions should not be allowed. Unfortunately, in trying to brew coffee at home, we miss important stages of this ceremony.

Every detail and little detail is important here, so if a person does not have sufficient experience, at first the process will be too drawn out. Over time, you can learn, and then you can delight yourself and your loved ones with an impeccable and unique drink.

How many spoons of coffee to put in Turks of different sizes

You need to base your calculations on how strong the drink you want to get in the end. On average, approximately, this is the same heaped teaspoon and a little more to prepare one serving. But it will be easier if we do the calculation:

Please note that in the second case, when you are preparing for a company, the drink turns out to be quite concentrated, and it should either be drunk in very small portions, like espresso, or diluted with cream, milk, or just boiling water.

Conclusions:

1. To prepare an average portion of 200 ml, you should put a heaped spoonful of coffee in the pot and a little more on the tip.
2. If you are making espresso, use a small heaped spoon.
3. Do you like to drink Americano from a large cup - two spoons without a slide.
4. For a serving for two, you should put a little less than what you get when multiplying the serving by two, since the drink is prepared more and will be stronger.
5. You can almost always use the “spoon and a little extra” calculation to get an average drink, and vary it according to your feelings next time.

Preparing coffee beans

Of course, it is much easier to buy and prepare already ground coffee powder, but experienced lovers of this drink claim that it turns out much tastier and more aromatic if you buy it in beans and grind it yourself. Shall we try?

• coffee beans;
• cold clean water;
• granulated sugar to taste.

1. To grind our beans, we will need either a coffee grinder or a special attachment on a food processor. Tip: grind a small portion of beans (about two to three spoons) in order to use them immediately, since they lose all their taste and aroma when stored for a long time.
2. Pour freshly ground coffee beans and sugar into the pot, pour in cold filtered water and place the vessel on the stove. Cook the drink over low heat until a thick foam forms on top. Immediately remove from the stove. When the foam settles a little, put it on the fire again and do this three times. We don't boil.
3. Let the brewed drink brew for a few minutes and then pour it into warm cups.

The grains themselves should be stored in tightly sealed containers, preferably glass or ceramic.

The video will show you how to make tasty coffee with foam at home: