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Rich, thick, and flavorful, Turkish coffee is a great choice for a pick-me-up drink in the morning or any time of the day. Before you grab one, however, you are probably curious – how much caffeine is in Turkish coffee?
Often served in a small cup, Turkish coffee is strong and unfiltered. Many people compare its taste to an espresso shot.
Let’s talk about its caffeine content, including how it compares to other common types of coffee.
What Is Turkish Coffee?
As the name implies, Turkish coffee is from Turkey. For centuries, it has been enjoyed in the Middle East and Balkans. It does not refer to the beans in the beverage. Instead, it is a unique brewing method, which is what gives the drink a distinct flavor and aroma.
The traditional preparation of Turkish coffee involves using a unique copper pot known as cezve. Meanwhile, it uses powder-ground coffee and includes a sweetener that you can customize depending on personal preference.
One of the distinct characteristics of Turkish coffee is that it is unfiltered. It has ultra-fine coffee grounds like flour. As a result, you can feel it when you drink your coffee. Most of the time, it is served next to a glass of water, which acts as a palate cleanser. It is also common to enjoy it with a sweet dessert, such as Turkish delight.
Depending on the recipe, you can enjoy different variations of Turkish coffee. For instance, you can have it unsweetened, a little sweet, or super sweet.
How Much Caffeine in Turkish Coffee?
On average, Turkish coffee has 50 to 60 mg of caffeine. This is provided that the coffee is in a two fluid-ounce cup. The exact number depends on many things, such as the specific beans that you are using or the add-ons.
One of the reasons why Turkish coffee is high in caffeine is because it is unfiltered. This means that it has more substances that make the coffee bitter. Not to mention, it is also linked to some of the harmful effects of coffee, such as elevated blood cholesterol.
How It Compares to Other Types of Coffee
Can’t decide if you should drink Turkish coffee or other types of coffee? Here is a quick comparison so you can choose which one is a better pick.
Turkish Coffee Vs Instant Coffee
If you want a stronger caffeine kick, then Turkish coffee is the way to go. It has a smaller serving and is more concentrated, which makes the caffeine content higher. An average serving of instant coffee has only 26 mg of caffeine, against the 50 to 60 mg in Turkish coffee.
The serving size is another huge difference between the two. Instant coffee is best enjoyed in a cup or mug, which is larger than the serving cup for Turkish coffee.
Another obvious difference is the taste. Instant coffee usually has a weaker flavor. Turkish coffee is for those who want an unadulterated coffee taste, although for some, the bitterness may be overpowering.
Turkish Coffee Vs Espresso
A cup of espresso has 40 to 50 mg of caffeine, just a little less than the 50 to 60 mg of caffeine in a serving of Turkish coffee has. However, take note that one cup of espresso is usually an ounce while a serving of Turkish coffee is 2.5 ounces each.
To add, the differences in extraction also result in varying caffeine levels. Espresso extracts caffeine through pressure, which requires less water. Meanwhile, you can boil beans in Turkish coffee several times, which will let you extract more caffeine. Technically, the two are almost the same in terms of caffeine content.
More than their caffeine content, there are other significant differences. For instance, authentic Turkish coffee uses only 100% Arabica beans. With espresso, you have more diverse options.
They also differ in terms of taste. Espresso has a full-bodied and well-rounded flavor. Turkish coffee, meanwhile, is rich and intense. It is frothy because of the cream on the top and sludgy since you can feel the coffee particles as you drink it. This is unlike espresso, which is smoother.
Tips for Making and Serving Turkish Coffee
If you want to make Turkish coffee at home, follow the steps below.
- Start by gathering the ingredients. The specifics will vary depending on the recipe that you will follow. For this recipe, you will need cold water, extra-fine ground coffee, and sugar.
- Now that everything is ready, pour two cups of water into a cezve. Add coffee and sugar. The latter, however, is optional. You need it only if you want to minimize the bitterness and make it easier to drink.
- Put the cezve on the top of the stove. Turn on the heat to medium. Wait for a few minutes until the coffee heats up. You will know that it is hot when the foam starts to rise.
- Remove the coffee from the stovetop before boiling. If you wait longer, it will over-pour. Scoop the foam to the top. Add a little foam to the serving cup. Bring the pot back to the stove and let it heat up.
- Once the coffee is hot, pour it slowly into the serving cup. As you do this, the foam should rise to the top. Let it settle for a few minutes before enjoying your Turkish coffee.
Aside from the steps mentioned above, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make your coffee richer by using milk instead of water. This will also balance the bitterness if you prefer something sweeter.
- Use the right coffee beans. The traditional option is dark-roasted arabica. You can also use others, such as a blend of light and dark roasts.
- Go for pre-ground Turkish coffee. This way, it is easier to achieve powdery consistency, which can be difficult to have if you are grinding the beans yourself.
- Choose the lowest heat setting. Stir the coffee two to three times as it heats up. If the heat is too high, it will over-pour.
FAQs
Is Turkish coffee stronger than regular coffee?
Yes, Turkish coffee is stronger than regular coffee. It uses darker and stronger beans, which will result in a more robust flavor. Not to mention, it is served in smaller cups, which is indicative of its strength, similar to espresso.
Is Turkish coffee bad for health?
Turkish coffee is not bad for your health, as long as you enjoy it in moderation. More so, you should cut back on sweeteners to make it a healthier beverage. Like regular coffee, drinking too much can result in several problems, such as abnormal heart rhythm, insomnia, restlessness, headache, dizziness, anxiety, and dehydration.
Why is Turkish coffee so bitter?
Turkish coffee is so bitter because it is made using very fine coffee grounds. It is concentrated, which makes the bitterness more apparent. To make it sweeter, some people use milk instead of water. Adding sugar is also a good idea.
Now, you may want to learn how to make authentic Cuban coffee.
Final Thoughts
Turkish coffee contains 50 to 60 mg of caffeine for a two fluid-ounce serving. While some people might appreciate the strong kick, it is not for everyone. Those with caffeine sensitivity can suffer from palpitations, dizziness, and anxiety, among other problems. Make it sweeter by using milk instead of water or by adding your choice of sweetener.
