Turkish/Greek Coffee?

VR6ofpain · 07-21-2007, 11:04 AM

Has anyone had coffee prepared this way? How does it compare (unsweetened) to an espresso or a regular old cup of coffee? I have been reading about it a little and am quite interested in trying some. I need to find a good ibrik and pick up a Turkish coffee grinder before can even attempt it, but I also have questions on whether I need to pick up some type traditional beans that would be used in a cup from Turkey.

Anyone have any comments or pointers? I have been looking at ibrik's (or briki's) on eBay, but am not too keen on purchasing them there. I haven't seen anything locally, so I will have to buy online. I really wish the Turkish/Greek food place I go to for Gyro's and other Turkish/Greek food served it, but they didn't even know what I was talking about. I am sure the owner (he is actually Turkish) would know, but he rarely is in his restaurant.

Some photos and links:
Wiki
How to make Greek Coffee.
A good cup of Greek Coffee (this gentlemen also has a lot of DE shaving stuff in his blog).

**papasmurf** · 07-21-2007, 11:15 AM

I have Greek coffee every day . it is very strong if you would like some I would be glad to ship some to you. our local Greek stores sell brikis for a few bucks i can pick one up for you no problem if you would like send me a pm and i will get it for you .

Edit some people actually believe in reading the coffee grinds at when done with the drink they flip the cup over and for a few minutes and tell you your fortune . Personally I am not a believer of this but many people in Greece do this .

Nick

VR6ofpain · 07-21-2007, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by papasmurf

I have Greek coffee every day . it is very strong if you would like some I would be glad to ship some to you. our local Greek stores sell brikis for a few bucks i can pick one up for you no problem if you would like send me a pm and i will get it for you .

Edit some people actually believe in reading the coffee grinds at when done with the drink they flip the cup over and for a few minutes and tell you your fortune . Personally I am not a believer of this but many people in Greece do this .

Nick

I am a fan of strong coffee. I love a good shot of espresso (don't see the point in mixing in sugar, since I want to taste the coffee), and never drink coffee with milk (cappuccino or latte).

Ya I read about that online too. Crazy, but cool!

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain

I am a fan of strong coffee. I love a good shot of espresso (don't see the point in mixing in sugar, since I want to taste the coffee), and never drink coffee with milk (cappuccino or latte).

Strangely, sugar actually brings out the flavor in Greek Coffee. While the coffee is brewed strong (boiled in the water and unfiltered), the beans that are used traditionally are light roasted brazilian, so they do not have that strong a flavor. I've tried it many times without sugar, and it just doesn't seem right. The traditional way to make it is "metrio" (even), with one teaspoon of coffee and one teaspoon of sugar per demi-tasse of water. In Greece, everyone uses an espresso demi-tasse nowadays, but I remember my grandmother used to have demi-tasses that were actually a bit smaller than the espresso version. I haven' been able to find those, even in Athens.

Don't buy a grinder yet. I found that the in-store grinders that have a picture of an ibrik for turkish, at the highest setting, don't actually grind the coffee fine enough. My guess is that home versions are worse. Go to a Greek Import store and buy a briki (Greek pronunciation), as Nick suggested, and a bag of Loumidis or Venizelos coffee to start with. If you really like Greek coffee, then spend money on a grinder. There's nothing magical about the briki , except that it's tapered -- it doesn't need to be one of the hammered copper things in the pictures. Mine's stainless, as are most of those used in Greece. You can also order the briki and the coffee on various Greek import websites. Where in No. Cal are you? There are a couple of stores in S.F. where you can get these things, and one in Daly City.

**Ernie** · 07-21-2007, 11:55 AM

Try a Meditarennean or Middle East grocery store, if you know some, if you would like an ibrik. As far as I know, compared to 'American' coffee, Turkish coffee is much stronger and more acidic. As with espresso, a lot depends on the quality, freshness, and roast of the beans. A lot of the people I know who drink it do not use a manual grinder, so I am not sure if this will have an effect on the quality of coffee, but you may enjoy doing it. However, it does take some time.

Enjoy.

**papasmurf** · 07-21-2007, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by zachster

Strangely, sugar actually brings out the flavor in Greek Coffee. While the coffee is brewed strong (boiled in the water and unfiltered), the beans that are used traditionally are light roasted brazilian, so they do not have that strong a flavor. I've tried it many times without sugar, and it just doesn't seem right. The traditional way to make it is "metrio" (even), with one teaspoon of coffee and one teaspoon of sugar per demi-tasse of water. In Greece, everyone uses an espresso demi-tasse nowadays, but I remember my grandmother used to have demi-tasses that were actually a bit smaller than the espresso version. I haven' been able to find those, even in Athens.

Don't buy a grinder yet. I found that the in-store grinders that have a picture of an ibrik for turkish, at the highest setting, don't actually grind the coffee fine enough. My guess is that home versions are worse. Go to a Greek Import store and buy a briki (Greek pronunciation), as Nick suggested, and a bag of Loumidis or Venizelos coffee to start with. If you really like Greek coffee, then spend money on a grinder. There's nothing magical about the briki , except that it's tapered -- it doesn't need to be one of the hammered copper things in the pictures. Mine's stainless, as are most of those used in Greece. You can also order the briki and the coffee on various Greek import websites. Where in No. Cal are you? There are a couple of stores in S.F. where you can get these things, and one in Daly City.

I was actually going to get a bag of Loumidis and Bravo my favs to help him make a choice on the matter . Actually if you want the "real" demi-tasses I have plenty and I think I may be able to slip one by my wife with out notice

Nick

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by papasmurf

I was actually going to get a bag of Loumidis and Bravo my favs to help him make a choice on the matter . Actually if you want the "real" demi-tasses I have plenty and I think I may be able to slip one by my wife with out notice

Nick

Don't go getting yourself in trouble! I know I have at least one old Greek demi-tasse somewhere in storage -- it would take hours to find it though! I get by fine with some Lavazza labeled demi-tasses which seem to be smaller than other espresso cups.

When you mentioned Bravo, it immediately brought back these TV commercials they had in Greece in the '70s, with a big heavy set guy sipping his coffee and saying "Bravo - aftos eine kafes" -- more or less, "now that's coffee." I have no idea why those ads stuck in my mind, as I'm a Loumidis die hard!

**papasmurf** · 07-21-2007, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by zachster

Don't go getting yourself in trouble! I know I have at least one old Greek demi-tasse somewhere in storage -- it would take hours to find it though! I get by fine with some Lavazza labeled demi-tasses which seem to be smaller than other espresso cups.

When you mentioned Bravo, it immediately brought back these TV commercials they had in Greece in the '70s, with a big heavy set guy sipping his coffee and saying "Bravo - aftos eine kafes" -- more or less, "now that's coffee." I have no idea why those ads stuck in my mind, as I'm a Loumidis die hard!

Dont think I would get in trouble they are not part of a set and my wife never uses them

I actually remember those I was not born in the 70's but when i lived in Greece they played it all the time(probably remakes) .

Do you remember the Loumidis commercials with the huge parrot that parrot was in just about all there commercials until it died I believe in 98-99 .

Nick

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by papasmurf

Dont think I would get in trouble they are not part of a set and my wife never uses them

I actually remember those I was not born in the 70's but when i lived in Greece they played it all the time(probably remakes) .

Do you remember the Loumidis commercials with the huge parrot that parrot was in just about all there commercials until it died I believe in 98-99 .

Nick

Most of my Greek TV memories are from the late '60s and early '70s -- my family moved back to the States in '74. I remember billboards and posters of the parrot (in every Kafeneio), but not the TV ads. Did the parrot have lines in the commercials, or did he just hang around??

**papasmurf** · 07-21-2007, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by zachster

Most of my Greek TV memories are from the late '60s and early '70s -- my family moved back to the States in '74. I remember billboards and posters of the parrot (in every Kafeneio), but not the TV ads. Did the parrot have lines in the commercials, or did he just hang around??

Mostly hung around watching the people drink coffee and then would just say Loumidis and a small line after that which is escaping my memory at the moment

Nick

VR6ofpain · 07-21-2007, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by zachster

Don't buy a grinder yet. I found that the in-store grinders that have a picture of an ibrik for turkish, at the highest setting, don't actually grind the coffee fine enough. My guess is that home versions are worse.

Well the versions I was considering were not electric, but manual grinders (looks like a brass peppermill). You have a good point though, if I can buy Turkish ground coffee, I could at least see what I think before I invest in it. Regarding ibrik's, I saw this "melting pot" at Bed Bath and Beyond, but it didn't seem to have enough of a tapering toward the top.

Do you either of you think this would work? I did see this stainless steel ibrik on the bay.

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain

Well the versions I was considering were not electric, but manual grinders (looks like a brass peppermill). You have a good point though, if I can buy Turkish ground coffee, I could at least see what I think before I invest in it. Regarding ibrik's, I saw this "melting pot" at Bed Bath and Beyond, but it didn't seem to have enough of a tapering toward the top.

Do you either of you think this would work? I did see this stainless steel ibrik on the bay.

Oh yeah -- I think we have one of those peppermill type grinders at my father's house, but I've never actually used it. I'd just buy some pre-ground.

The Bed Bath melting pot looks too squat -- the ebay ibrik looks good. I think I bought mine locally at a Sur la Table store.

Your post inspired me -- I'm enjoying a Greek coffee right now!

**Jim** · 07-21-2007, 02:06 PM

I don't know for sure but this may be interesting to you.

**farace** · 07-21-2007, 02:07 PM

What I know as Turkish coffee I get at Mamoun's, a falafel restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut (oddly enough, the MacDougal Street, NYC Mamoun's doesn't offer it AFAIK; when they had a restaurant in Middletown, Connecticut, they also had the full menu). If I'm not mistaken, there are also cardamom seeds in it. If you've got any falafel places with a full menu nearby, you might try there to see if they have it.

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by farace

What I know as Turkish coffee I get at Mamoun's, a falafel restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut (oddly enough, the MacDougal Street, NYC Mamoun's doesn't offer it AFAIK; when they had a restaurant in Middletown, Connecticut, they also had the full menu). If I'm not mistaken, there are also cardamom seeds in it. If you've got any falafel places with a full menu nearby, you might try there to see if they have it.

Cardamom is usually added in the Arab world - I had a Lebanese friend who drank his that way, and I've also had it at a Jordanian owned restaurant. I've never run across it that way in Greece (can't imagine Greeks liking it -- they're pretty set in their ways about coffee). Don't know about Turkey.

**jlowen** · 07-21-2007, 05:06 PM

A previous poster mentioned cardomom and that is the way that I drink it. I am of Lebanese descent, i.e. both parents born there. A previous poster had a link to Tulumba and I noticed that they sold Najjar coffee. It is the brand that I drink and it comes with (Green) and without (Blue) cardamom. I buy it locally at a Middle Eastern store. I bought my ibrik at a local Greek grocery. I live in Charlotte, NC and we have both Middle Eastern and Greek stores. Grecian Imports (http://grecianimports.biz/) carries the Greek and Lebanese coffee. They are an Amazon partner so you could also order through Amazon. They also have the pots (http://www.grecianimports.com/greekgifts2.htm) in their Brick and Mortar store. Once I saw a picture of them and noted the location, it brought back memories since I used to frequent their store when I lived in Milwaukee. Good people. Glad to hear that you are trying it. Great stuff!
John

**BroJohn** · 07-21-2007, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Goosemeplease

I don't know for sure but this may be interesting to you.

And if you you order coffee/ibrik from tulumba.com, it's a great opportunity to have them toss in a couple of alum blocks, some Arko creams, and an Arko shave stick or two.

-- John Gehman

**Limey** · 07-21-2007, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by BroJohn

And if you you order coffee/ibrik from tulumba.com, it's a great opportunity to have them toss in a couple of alum blocks, some Arko creams, and an Arko shave stick or two.

-- John Gehman

This has been an interesting thread but the tip on where to get Arko shave stick is the nugget of gold here!

VR6ofpain · 07-21-2007, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by zachster

Oh yeah -- I think we have one of those peppermill type grinders at my father's house, but I've never actually used it. I'd just buy some pre-ground.

The Bed Bath melting pot looks too squat -- the ebay ibrik looks good. I think I bought mine locally at a Sur la Table store.

Your post inspired me -- I'm enjoying a Greek coffee right now!

They have a Sur la Table in my hometown (East Bay). I am going to be visiting my family at the end of the month, I'll have to run by there to see what ibriks they have. Thanks for the tip.

**zachster** · 07-21-2007, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain

They have a Sur la Table in my hometown (East Bay). I am going to be visiting my family at the end of the month, I'll have to run by there to see what ibriks they have. Thanks for the tip.

There used to be a great coffee store in the Sather Gate Garage shops in Berkeley (between Durant & Channing, just below Telegraph) when I was a student there -- they sold any type of coffee and coffee-making mechanism you could imagine. Bought both a briki and a Bialetti there when I was a freshman, and got my espresso and Greek coffee from them for the duration. But that was many, many, many years ago. I have no idea if it's still there.