What is Greek Coffee & 5 Steps on How to Drink Greek Coffee
I remember sitting at a café in Greece last summer in the warm sun and enjoying the sea breeze.
I ordered a cup of Greek coffee, which was full of aroma and the cultural experience it promised. The barista expertly prepared it in a small pot called a briki, and the coffee was served in a tiny cup with a glass of water on the side. I started to wonder: what is Greek coffee really?
It was the perfect blend of strong and smooth, with a hint of sweetness.
Now back home, I find myself longing for that perfect cup of Greek coffee, but I’m not exactly sure how to prepare it.
Dimitra’s Dishes made a wonderful video about how to make it:
This blog post will guide you and me through everything we need to know about making and drinking Greek coffee.
1. What is Greek coffee?
Greek coffee is brewed with finely ground coffee beans (typically Arabica coffee beans).
Greek coffee is boiled in a special pot, called a briki. The special thing about a briki is that it make the coffee ground settle at the bottom of the cup. The traditional Greek coffee is strong and thick in texture.
It was first introduced to Greece back in the days of the Ottoman Empire, and today, it’s part of the culture: people drink it during social events and coffee breaks during the days.
2. Greek coffee vs. Turkish coffee
Greek coffee and Turkish coffee share similarities in their preparation methods and appearance. Many believe that they are essentially the same coffees but there are also some differences between the two.
Greek coffee is made with a finer grind compared to Turkish coffee. Plus, while the Greek coffee pot is called a briki, the Turkish one is called a cezve. The finer grind that Greek coffee uses makes the coffee foamy.
Both coffees are typically served with a glass of water, but Greek coffee is usually enjoyed with a little bit of sugar or even a sweet treat!
Comparison table: Greek coffee vs. Turkish coffee
| Aspect | Greek Coffee | Turkish Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Grind of Beans | Finely ground | Coarsely ground |
| Brewing Method | Boiled in a briki | Boiled in a cezve |
| Texture | Smooth, thick | Slightly gritty |
| Common Accompaniments | Served with a glass of water | Served with Turkish delight |
3. How to make Greek coffee
Now, to the question of how to prepare Greek coffee!
You will need the following:
- A briki (a special pot with a long handle)
- Finely ground Greek coffee
- Cold water
- Sugar (optional)
- A (demitasse) cup
5 steps to make Greek coffee
- Measure the Coffee and Water: Measure a teaspoon of Greek coffee and cup of cold water. (If you prefer a sweet flavor, add sugar.)
- Mix the Ingredients: Combine the coffee, water and sugar in the briki. Stir the mixture well to dissolve the coffee and sugar.
- Heat the Coffee: Place the briki on medium heat and let the coffee heat slowly. Do not stir once the coffee starts heating. As the coffee starts to foam and rise, remove the briki from the heat.
- Serve the Coffee: Pour the coffee into the cup. The foam should be evenly distributed. Let the coffee grounds settle at the bottom of the cup before drinking.
- Enjoy Greek Coffee: Greek coffee is served with a glass of water, so make sure to have some clear water by your side!
If you follow these steps, you won’t make a mistake! Put a cookie or a baklava to the side of your coffee cup, and enjoy it with your Greek coffee!
Oh, but how should you drink it?!
4. How to drink Greek coffee
The coffee culture is really important in Greece. People don’t just drink it quickly like a shot of alcohol but it’s more like an enjoyable experience, and whether you do it alone in the morning beside breakfast, or with your friends during a work break, there are some things you should look out for!
You should drink your coffee slowly. Take your time to savor each sip. Make your coffee break longer. In many coffee shops in Greece, you’ll see customers conversing over their coffees to make the most out of a break.
Just sit back, relax, and appreciate the rich aroma!
Hot or Cold?
Greek coffee is traditionally served hot, with the foam on top and the coffee grounds settling at the bottom of the cup.
In the heating summer, some Greek coffees allow for variations with iced, or turned into a frappé.
With or Without Milk
Just like with Turkish coffee, Greek coffee is usually drank without milk but ultimately, it’s up to your own taste.
Sugar Preferences
Now, there are special preferences when it comes to sugar. And sugar has its own name depending on what kind you use and how much you put into your cup of coffee:
- Sketos: Without sugar, for a strong and bitter coffee.
- Metrios: With one teaspoon of sugar, for a balanced taste.
- Glykos: With two teaspoons of sugar, for a sweeter, more mellow flavor.
So now you know how to make Greek coffee, and how important coffee culture is in Greece. What’s left?
A travel to Greece? ☀️ 🏖️
