Greek Coffee - Everything You Need To Know
Greek coffee is a brew method that produces a rich and warming coffee.
Traditional Greek coffee is a sensory experience and one that you don’t forget in a hurry.
Greek coffee is part of the country's rich culture and a brew method that Greek people are incredibly proud of.
However finding Greek coffee on a menu in your local coffee shop (unless you are in Greece) is rare and many people may not have even come across this style of making coffee.
So what is Greek coffee and where do I find it?
Marko from Craft Coffee Spot is a coffee writer and also from Eastern Europe so has consumed plenty of Greek coffee.
He explains that Greek coffee is boiled in a briki (pronounced bree-kee) which results in a thick texture and roasty flavour profile.
He adds, Greek coffee and Turkish coffee are practically the same things, but we’ll go into that in more detail below.
What is Greek Coffee?
Greek coffee is made in a briki, a small pot with a long handle.
The coffee is finely ground like powdered sugar.
You need an extra-fine grind size because Greek coffee is not filtered. Boil water and coffee together in the briki until you get a nice cream, known as the kaimaki.
What Does Greek Coffee Taste Like?
Greek coffee tastes very strong. It uses a high ratio of coffee-to-water (typically 1:10 compared to regular coffee at 1:16) and the coffee isn’t filtered.
The mouthfeel is thick and the Greek coffee taste lingers. You’ll notice the dark roast flavours and some burnt tastes.
Greek Coffee vs Turkish Coffee?
They are the same thing.
Turkish coffee and Greek coffee originated in Yemen and made their way through East Europe during the Ottoman Empire describes Marko.
But, since it is served in Greece, call it Greek coffee.
Greeks do care more about the coffee cream, the kaimaki. The only nuance is Greek coffee is almost always served with a cold glass of water.
Greek Coffee Recipe.
Method
Start with finely ground coffee, a similar texture to powdered sugar
Pour one cup of cold water into the briki
Add one large tablespoon of coffee for each cup of coffee
Add a teaspoon of sugar for each cup of coffee if you want sweetness
Stir the coffee only a few times.
Bring the heat to medium-high for 2-3 minutes
Look for the kaimaki to form as the coffee heats. Once the coffee begins to boil, take it off the heat.
Slowly pour out into a cup.
Greek Coffee Tips
Pay attention during the brew! The coffee will quickly boil over if left too long. If the coffee starts to rise quickly, just raise the briki off the heat.
Add the sugar at the beginning if you want sweet coffee. You don’t want to stir up the grounds later.
Greeks are against over stirring coffee. Many Greeks just add the coffee and let it sink in without stirring.
If you make two cups of Greek coffee, pour it out evenly into glasses. This evenly separates the kaimaki and the grounds.
What Is The Difference Between Greek Coffee And Regular Coffee?
The mouthfeel and body of Greek coffee makes it different to regular coffee.
Greek coffee is still made using ground coffee and is very similar (if not the same) as Turkish coffee.
It is different to many methods of coffee brewing because the coffee is not filtered.
The majority of coffee, whether it’s a portafilter basket with espresso, a paper cone with a V60 or a mesh plunger with a French press is filtered.
A greek coffee however is made using super fine coffee grounds, during the brew the grounds sink to the bottom of the Greek coffee maker and the coffee is gently poured from the top.
This results in a strong syrupy coffee that tastes roasty and slightly bitter.
What Is Greek Coffee Called?
Greek coffee is called Glykos in Greece, pronounced ghlee-kohss.
Is Greek Coffee Bad For You?
Greek coffee is good for you if you don’t add sugar (or ask the person making it not to add any sugar).
Black coffee has many health benefits and that is exactly what greek coffee is: coffee and water.
Photo: Business Insider
What Is A Greek Coffee Maker?
A greek coffee maker is called a briki.
It is a tall metal pot that has a long handle joining at the top of the coffee maker. It allows you to heat the whole Briki pot and not worry about the handle getting too hot.
Benefits Of Black Coffee
Is Greek Coffee High In Caffeine?
Yes it is. Greek coffee is higher in caffeine than most coffee that you are served.
The reason for this is because the coffee is ground super fine so the water is able to extract all of the soluble compounds like caffeine easier.
The coffee is also not filtered and left at the bottom of the Briki.
Unlike other brew methods that pass water over coffee grounds (espresso and pour over) the coffee is fully submerged in the brew water for the entirety. All of these factors result in a high caffeine Greek coffee.
Find Your Pour Over Kettle
Is Greek Coffee Like Espresso?
Typically Greek coffee is served as a short cup of coffee like an espresso usually with sugar added during the brewing to mask the bitter flavours.
Although the intensity and the serving size of Greek coffee is similar to espresso the brewing is completely different and therefore does result in different flavours and mouthfeel.
Do You Put Milk In Greek Coffee?
No. You wouldn’t usually serve Greek coffee with milk or cream.
It does often come served with sugar premixed into the coffee during the brew process to hide the bitterness.
Why Is Greek Coffee So Thick?
The fineness of the grind and the process of simmering the coffee are the main factors that create the thick, frothy texture.
Greek coffee is made by brewing finely ground coffee beans in a pot called a briki.
The coffee and water are boiled together, and then left to simmer for a few moments.
After it is brewed sugar is added according to preference. This method of preparation creates a thick foam on top of the coffee, which is an important aspect of the traditional Greek coffee experience.
What Beans Are Best for Greek Coffee?
Greek coffee is traditionally made with a type of coffee bean called Arabica beans.
Arabica beans are known for their strong, bold flavour and low acidity, which make them well-suited for the traditional Greek brewing method.
However, Greek coffee can also be made with other types of beans, such as Robusta or a blend of Arabica and Robusta. The important thing is that the beans should be finely ground, so that they dissolve fully in the hot water.
When choosing beans for Greek coffee, it's important to look for high-quality, fresh beans that have been recently roasted.
The beans should be ground to a very fine consistency. This will help to ensure that the coffee has a strong flavour and the right texture when it is brewed.
What Is The Most Popular Greek Coffee?
A coffee that you will find in many Greek cafes is a Freddo coffee. This is a double shot of espresso that has been mixed, beaten or blended with ice cubes to create a sort of espresso frappe.
Perfect for the hot Greek summers.