Table of Contents
What is a Greek coffee?
This recipe is a coffee with strong flavor and aroma, very popular in Greece and important for the culture of the country. It is made in a special small pot called ‘Briki’ and stands out for not being filtered. Therefore, it uses a particularly fine grind.
Its preparation is actually very simple. You put water in the Briki, then ground coffee and sugar (if desired). Then it is placed on the stove, stirred, and heated to boiling point. It is served in a small espresso cup, also called ‘Demitaza’, without filtering it, so the coffee grounds remain at the bottom of the cup.
You may have also heard of similar brewing methods but under a different name. This is the same as the famous Turkish coffee. And this has to do with a piece of history.
Many countries in the region (Middle East, Caucasus, etc.) claim the origin of the method of brewing, which is related to difficult political relations. For example, when Turkey invaded an area in Greece and caused tension between the countries. This was one of the events that may have contributed to the fact that it is now called Greek coffee.
Ingredients for Greek coffee
For brewing you will need:
- Finely ground coffee
- Cold water
- Sugar (optional) or a sweetener
Please note:
- You will need a special utensil called a briki. It is basically a small stainless steel pot with a long handle. The bottom is usually wider than the opening of the pot and it comes in different sizes: for 2, 4, 6 or more Demitazas.
- You will also need a demitaza or espresso cup. It is very important for the process, because this is where the amount of water is measured.
- The proportions are explained in the next section.
Variations of Greek coffee
Before getting into the recipe, it is important to know the different types of Greek coffee. These have to do with the amount of sugar and ground coffee you will use, that is, the proportions of the ingredients.
Let’s see what they are:
- Sketos (unsweetened): This consists of only a teaspoon of coffee, without sugar or any type of sweetener.
- Metrios (semi-sweet): This consists of a teaspoon of sugar or sweetener and a heaping teaspoon of coffee.
- Glykos (sweet): This consists of two teaspoons of sugar or sweetener with one heaping teaspoon of coffee.
- Vary Glykos (very sweet): Three teaspoons of sugar with two teaspoons of coffee.
How to make Greek coffee?
As you can see, you need only a few ingredients for its preparation. The process is also simple, but you need to take into account certain aspects that we will indicate at each step of the process.
- Measure the water with a Demitaza and pour it into the pot (Briki). The number of cups of water will determine how many cups of coffee you will make.
- Put the pot on the stove and heat the water over medium heat.
- Add the desired amount of ground coffee and sugar (or sweetener) to the pot with the water. Here you can choose to make Sketos, Metrios, Glykos or Vary Glykos.
- Stir the ingredients well until they are all incorporated.
- Without stirring again, wait until a foam forms, called kaïmaki. It is similar to that of espresso and is quite important in this brew.
- You will see how the foam begins to rise. Before the coffee starts to boil, remove the pot from the fire and pour it into the Demitaza(s). If you are making multiple coffees, distribute the foam in each Demitaza.
- And enjoy! This coffee is usually served with a glass of cold water and can be accompanied by sweet snacks or cookies. If you wish, even with a coffee dessert.
Tips for a good coffee
The coffee
It is a strong brew that is much better with medium roasted coffee. Also, we advise that it is by far preferable to buy the coffee beans and grind them at home. In this way, it will be fresher, more aromatic, and more flavorful.
Nowadays it is a very simple process because all you need is a coffee grinder. It is an accessory that can come with some coffee machines or separately. In any case, there are several models that are quick and easy to use.
The utensils
Unlike other brews we’ve seen, you need special utensils to make it. Ideally, you should have the original, because it has the shape and design that suits this Greek coffee. For this reason, we will show you two options on the market that you can try.
Caizen Coffee – Turkish coffee pot or briki
This is a model with the traditional shape but with a more modern design. It is made of stainless steel and the handle is sturdy and heat resistant.
With a capacity of 449 ml (15.2 oz), it is perfect for brewing several cups at once.
It also has multiple uses, as the model is not only suitable for Greek coffee but can also heat milk, tea and other beverages. It is also suitable for all types of stoves (except induction) and the dishwasher.
CopperBull – Cezve Ibrik Briki Greek-Arabic coffee maker
This Briki model has a traditional design. Therefore, it is made of 1.4 mm thick copper with a tin coating that makes it sturdy and easy to clean. It was made in Turkey and has a beautiful and elegant wooden handle.
It has a capacity of 236 ml (8 oz), making it ideal for those who prefer to brew small amounts of coffee.
On the other hand, as you already know, the coffee is measured and served in a Demitaza. If you want to learn more about the diversity of coffee cups, take a look at our blog on the different types of cups for coffee drinks.
Do you dare to try it?
You don’t have to travel to enjoy your own Greek coffee. Greek coffee is a simple recipe that you can make at home, and it is very flavorful. So, why don’t try new ways of making coffee?
