Before brewing coffee in a Turk, it is important to familiarize yourself with all the nuances. The taste depends not only on the chosen recipe. The way coffee turns out is affected by the grinding of the beans, the water, the utensils used, the temperature, and the rate at which the container heats up. According to Easterners, the result even determines a person’s mood - a tasty drink should be brewed only with good thoughts. We reveal the secrets of how to choose dishes and what are the best ways to prepare your morning drink.
What you need for Turkish coffee
To brew Turkish coffee correctly, start by choosing a variety. What type of bean to use is a matter of preference, but for the classic version you need Arabica. Robusta has a higher caffeine content, strength, pronounced bitterness, and a less rich aroma.
The roasting of beans for brewing coffee in an apartment should be medium. If you like sourness, take a very light one. Grind just before cooking - this is the only way to achieve an intense aroma. Choose fine or medium grinding. The finer the raw materials, the faster you can make the desired drink.
But 90% of the taste is determined not by grinding, not by the type of grain, not even by the recipe, but by the liquid used.
You need to take care when choosing water: you need filtered, bottled, spring water. With an acidity index of 6.5-7.5 pH, mineralization 75-250 mg/l. Chlorinated from the tap is not suitable.
Bay leaf
Coffee with bay leaf will make you instantly wake up and help fight chronic fatigue. In order not to overload the body, you need to drink it in small portions, spreading it out throughout the morning. To experience the effect of an invigorating shower, 75 ml of coffee with this additive will be enough. It has a spicy taste and is not difficult to prepare.
Bay leaf has an antiallergic effect
Cook as usual, add sugar and bay leaf. One piece will be enough for 100 ml of coffee. After you smell the bay leaf, you can take it out and enjoy the aromatic invigorating drink.
How to choose a cezve
Cezves are distinguished by material, volume, shape. The market currently offers dishes from:
- steel - cheap and simple models, last a long time, easy to clean. However, you should not make coffee in a Turkish coffee pot made of steel. The bottom of these is thin, it heats up quickly, and uneven heating spoils the taste;
- aluminum - budget, very light, warms up well. The only negative is that at elevated temperatures, in contact with liquids and products, harmful substances are released;
- ceramics or clay are more expensive, fragile options. It is difficult to handle such things, but the materials are ideal for Turkish coffee recipes. Ceramics and clay heat up evenly, hold the temperature for a long time, and do not allow the workpiece to cool down even after turning off the fire;
- copper - inexpensive, popular, with good thermal conductivity. The water warms up evenly, gradually revealing the aroma of the beans. Before you brew delicious coffee in a copper pot, make sure that the inside of the pot is coated with tin. Uncoated material may release harmful substances.
For beginners, it’s better to go with the copper option. It’s easy to control the cooking process at home with such a cezve. It will last a long time and will not require much investment.
Only ceramics have better thermal conductivity, but when handling dishes made of fragile materials, you will have to observe many nuances. For newcomers, this will only cause unnecessary questions and will prevent them from gradually getting involved in the culture.
When choosing the shape of the dish, focus on a wide base and narrowed neck. Only in such a cezve does a foam cap appear, which prevents the rapid evaporation of aromatic oils. Choose the volume depending on the number of family members.
The container should hold at least 1-2 cups.
Spicy drink recipe with pepper
Pepper will be a traditional addition. You can use both black and red pepper. This will give the drink a pungent aftertaste. It has a strong warming and invigorating effect.
The main thing is not to overdo it with pepper, otherwise the drink will become spicy.
To successfully cook with this spice, it is better to choose a copper pot and rinse the cup with boiling water. In order to fully experience the taste of pepper, 1-2 peas should be added to a hot drink, and then let it brew for a couple of minutes.
Pepper will help cleanse the body of toxins, improve memory and cardiovascular system.
It is better not to drink this drink if you have a sore throat or problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Cooking rules
Regardless of the chosen recipe, the water temperature, heating duration, and adherence to technology play a role. The raw materials are poured with cold water and placed on low heat. Only with a gradual increase in temperature does the aroma reveal itself most fully.
The drink is not stirred, but the cezve is closely monitored. Wait until a foam cap appears on the surface.
After the formation of small bubbles, the cezve is removed from the heat, set aside until the foam settles, and returned to the stove again. The stage is repeated 2-6 times, depending on the desired strength. Do not let the liquid boil - this “kills” the aroma.
Proportions vary from recipe to recipe. In the classic version, 1 part of ground grains is poured with 10 parts of water. In order to reveal the aroma, some people suggest adding salt, sugar, and spices. But if you have followed the recommended preparation nuances, flavor enhancers are not needed.
Salt
Avid coffee drinkers love to add a little salt. It is recommended to add a small amount of fine salt to natural coffee. This recipe will remove excess bitterness from the drink. Thus, a completely new taste will open up. Despite the fact that a large number of people often drink coffee with this additive, in Turkey a girl can serve the drink with salt if she does not like the young man who came to her parents.
Salt is added to enhance flavor
To prepare such coffee, you need to pour it into a Turk along with sugar, salt and add water. Cook over low heat until the foam rises to maximum height.
How to replace Turk
If it is not possible to purchase a cezve, the following are suitable for preparation:
- cup - pour 2 tsp. powder with boiling water, cover with a lid or saucer, set aside for 10-15 minutes;
- dishes for microwave. Take 2-3 tsp. ground beans to 200 ml of water, set to maximum power, wait until foam appears. Turn off the microwave, but do not open it for another 2-4 minutes;
- pot. The process is no different from the process of working with a cezve. Pour in 2 tsp. powder 100 ml of cold water, put on fire, wait a couple of times until the foam appears and settles.
In the last two cases, try not to be distracted, do not let it boil.
If time is limited in the morning, choose the cup option with minimal attention to the process.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg together with black coffee will leave behind an unusual aftertaste. Combining it with hot coffee, you can feel a sharp, astringent and bitter taste.
Even just a nut grated on top will give the drink an original aroma and taste.
To prepare the perfect drink, you need to add a small pinch of ground nutmeg to the already prepared cup, on top of the foam. This coffee will help strengthen your heart and have a good effect on brain function. It will have a warming effect in cold weather. Perfectly tones and sets you up for work.
How to brew a drink on a gas stove
There are few differences in the question “how to brew coffee in a Turk on a gas stove.” Choose a suitable cezve, variety, grain grinding, water. The cooking process differs only in the need to regulate the heat. On an open flame, the cookware heats up quickly and does not allow the aroma to release.
At the first stage, the cezve is placed on medium heat - 3 divisions out of 5. If possible, use a flame diffuser. After the first settling of the foam, the drink is returned to the heat, but at the minimum setting - 1 out of 5.
Which ginger to add
For colds, pain, stomach diseases and to quickly warm up, add ginger to your coffee. Spicy spice will add spice to the rich taste of coffee.
Ginger can be used either in pieces or grated
To prepare, you can grate the ginger root and add it to the pot during cooking. You can use not only fresh root, but also ginger powder. This drink will help relieve spasms and various inflammatory processes. It also normalizes blood circulation, improves memory and alertness.
What else is added to coffee?
A rich drink does not need any addition. But if you prefer more interesting shades of aroma or a mild taste, you can add:
- milk. Cow will add natural sweetness, vegetable will add new notes;
- chopped nuts;
- ice cream combined with grated chocolate;
- fruits, berries – orange, lemon, cherry, pineapple, strawberry;
- caramel or syrups;
- mint;
- spices like nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, ginger, cinnamon.
Experiment until you find the perfect variety for your preferences.
Just try not to overdo it, and don’t overwhelm the flavor of the base recipe with additional ingredients.
Classic and other options
Cinnamon
A common seasoning. It is added in the form of powder and sticks. Suitable for tea and coffee. Use cinnamon in other warming drinks like mulled wine.
Aromatic cinnamon combines harmoniously with Arabica, shades its sourness, and adds spice. Add it at different stages of cooking. Cinnamon stick - during or at the end of cooking. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on top of the finished drink. Dosage: for one cup - no more than half a teaspoon of powder.
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The spice speeds up metabolic processes, helps break down fats, and warms you up on cold evenings.
Vanilla
The seasoning is used in the form of powder or vanilla pod. With it, it becomes tender, sweet, with a dizzying aroma.
Vanilla warms, relieves tension, relaxes. To get the effects, add half a teaspoon of powder. Or soak a vanilla stick in the hot liquid for 3-5 minutes.
A drink with vanilla is considered an aphrodisiac that stimulates libido.
Carnation
The spice is fine if you are not afraid of the excessive bitterness it imparts. The valuable thing about cloves is the smell, which quickly disappears. Therefore, to get a flavorful drink, add it at the end.
The seasoning is refreshing. And thanks to clove essential oil, it kills harmful microorganisms. Cloves warm and help with colds.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg gives a tart, astringent flavor. Use it grated, no more than 1-2 grams.
The seasoning tones and stimulates the heart, invigorates. Doctors prescribe it for the complex treatment of sexual disorders: erectile dysfunction, impotence, lack of sexual desire.
Cardamom
Cardamom has a rich scent that is similar to a combination of ginger and cloves. It intensifies the coffee taste and emphasizes its bitterness. Use in powder and grain form.
You will get a specially spicy coffee if you add no more than 3-4 cardamom grains. Just take them out of the plant box and crush them. If desired, replace the grains with 2-3 grams of powder. It goes perfectly with cappuccino and latte. You can enhance the taste and pour 10-20 grams of cream liqueur.
The seasoning soothes, freshens breath, cleanses the digestive system and kills harmful microorganisms.
Star anise
The fruits of this plant are shaped like a star. They help treat the throat during colds and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
To achieve a rich, pleasant coffee taste and aroma, add 2-3 grains of star anise when cooking in a Turk.
Ginger
Use fresh ginger so it retains its beneficial properties. It warms up, strengthens the immune system, accelerates blood flow, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Add grated or thinly sliced ginger at the end of cooking. It will give the drink a spicy, bitter taste.
Orange zest
The zest will add sourness and bitterness. Suitable for espresso and sweet coffee drinks. The orange addition is combined with black pepper, mint or herbal liqueur. To achieve a pleasant aroma and taste, 5 grams is enough.
Lemon zest
Lemon zest, like orange zest, adds bitterness. But at the same time it makes the aroma fresher. In addition to the zest, dilute the coffee with lemon slices or lemon juice.
Lemon zest or juice removes toxins, improves digestion, and burns fat. This drink is relevant during a weight loss diet.
Red pepper
If you like sweets and spiced Turkish coffee, add red hot pepper. Serve this drink with grated dark chocolate on top and pieces on a saucer.
Instead of powder, take a pod, it will reveal the taste better. Dip it into the finished drink for a minute.
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Anise
This seasoning is refreshing and invigorating, giving a pleasant taste. Too much anise will overpower the aroma. To get a harmonious and tasty drink, add no more than a quarter teaspoon of powder. Pairs well with cinnamon, vanilla and honey.
Bay leaf
A classic spice that can also be added to coffee. More often used in powder form, less often in sheets. Gives a piquant aroma and taste, soothes, reduces blood pressure, and eliminates headaches. Has a mild antidepressant effect.
Add the powdered spice during cooking, and dip the leaf into the hot drink for a few seconds.
Caraway
Use cumin if you like spicy coffee with a fiery aftertaste. The spice imparts a subtle aroma with pungent notes that stimulate the appetite. It also invigorates and tones the circulatory system.
Don't overdo the cumin portion - the tip of a knife will do just enough.
Dill
If you compare it in taste, this spice is similar to cumin and anise. It did not find a wide response, but it has a circle of admirers. If you overdo the dosage, the coffee will turn out too spicy. Use dill seeds - no more than 2-3 per cup.
Saffron
If you want royal morning coffee, add saffron. The seasoning has earned a high status due to its sweet-tart aroma with a slight bitterness and cost - from 500-600 rubles per 50 gram bag.
Saffron is a storehouse of vitamins. It tones the heart, normalizes blood pressure to 120 to 80 mmHg. It also cleanses the blood and liver and calms the nervous system.
Coriander
Connoisseurs of Turkish coffee with spices like to brew it with coriander. It has woody and spicy notes, which, combined with the aroma of a freshly brewed drink, improve your mood and general condition in the morning.
Coriander calms the nervous system, relieves tension, improves the functioning of the digestive system, and restores metabolism.
Honey
For centuries, people have been drinking coffee by adding honey to it. This simple recipe gives the drink an amazing taste and aroma. It also stimulates brain function and tones the body. There are many recipes for coffee with honey.
Honey coffee is quite a popular drink
Classic involves brewing coffee by bringing to a boil three times and removing from heat. After this, you need to cool the drink and only then add honey to it. It's better to enjoy it in the summer, because you can't drink it hot. If you add honey to a hot liquid, it will lose all its beneficial properties.
Air foam
Do you want to be pleasantly surprised? Make some coffee with a beaten egg! Sweet, light, delicate foam melts in the mouth and can become a real gastronomic discovery for many.
First, beat the eggs, first separating the white from the yolk. Beat the whites with a mixer with 1 tsp. powdered sugar until strong foam and separately - yolk with 1 tsp. powdered sugar.
Pour the coffee into the cup (not to the brim), pour in a little beaten yolk, wait until it disperses. Place some protein foam on top, then sprinkle with cocoa powder. This drink not only looks amazingly impressive, but also has an original taste.
You can use pasteurized bottled egg products instead of regular eggs. At least you will have peace of mind that there are no bacteria or germs in the egg foam.
Coffee connoisseurs also recommend brewing it in a copper pot, in which the taste and aroma of coffee beans are revealed as fully as possible. If you like a soft drink, take only Arabica, if you prefer bitter coffee, add Robusta!
Lavender
An additive such as lavender gives coffee an amazing taste. As they say, people are divided into two types, those who add lavender to their coffee and those who do not. But you just have to try this aromatic drink and fall in love with this lavender coffee forever. There are several cooking recipes. First, pour a portion of ground coffee into the Turk and add dried flowers. Then add hot water and brew. Or mix natural coffee beans with lavender and then brew it in the usual way.
Lavender coffee
