It seems that brewing coffee in a Turk is not difficult: the device is simple, you just need to pour in ground coffee, add water and heat it. But some people cook it thin and weak, some cook it just right, while others cook it bitter, strong and sharp. Much depends on the coffee itself, as well as on personal preferences, but if you are just starting to master preparing a drink in this way, it is worth finding out how many spoons of coffee to put in a coffee pot for 1 person, as well as in a 300 or 500 ml pot, for any volume. With our calculations, you can brew an amazing drink in a cezve according to your taste.
gold standard
The so-called gold standard or golden ratio is the ratio of coffee grounds (grams) to water volume (ml) of 1:18. This definition comes from the Coffee Association of America (SCAA) and is generally considered the standard for coffee. This, of course, is a simple number and easy to remember, but no one will measure such proportions every time.
The best ratio is the one you like. Plus or minus a couple of grams usually doesn't change anything. If you try any instructions or recommendations online and you don’t like them, keep experimenting. Your coffee is solely your pleasure.
Important: try to take a Turkish coffee cup for the amount of coffee you usually drink. It’s better to cook two servings in a small one than cook one serving for yourself in a too large one.
Factors that influence the taste of Turkish coffee
Even if you calculate the ideal dosage of coffee for 1 or 2 people, 350 or 600 ml per Turk, the taste will only be necessary if you use the same coffee, the same cups, spoons and water. Changing any of these factors in some sense affects how many spoons of coffee to put in the Turk.
- Type of coffee. Robusta is traditionally more bitter and strong, full-bodied. Arabica is softer and more aromatic. Blends are packaged in different proportions; Arabica can be 90%, 80%, or even 60%. If you change your favorite brand, the taste will change a little.
- Features of grain. Depending on at what altitude and in what climate the coffee trees grew, how they were processed, the taste in the cup will change, sometimes it is quite clearly felt. Different manufacturers use different varieties of beans, hence the differences.
- Roasting degree. A light roast will reveal notes of flowers and citrus, a medium roast will reveal honey, vanilla and chocolate tones, and a strong roast will reveal a bright taste of dark chocolate and burnt caramel.
- Grinding degree. Turkish coffee usually requires a fine grind, almost to dust, this is how coffee is prepared in the Oriental style. If the grind is very coarse, the drink will brew faster, but its taste will be more watery and the flavors will not have time to develop. If you buy ground coffee in packs, the standard grind is medium, so you have to keep the drink on the fire longer to release the flavor components.
- Cooking speed. Some people like a long brewing process accompanied by pleasant conversations, so that the spices and coffee release all their oils and fill the kitchen with a mind-blowing aroma. Others are always in a hurry and prepare coffee almost on the run, on a strong window, just to make it faster.
For Turks, it is advisable to use the finest grind and cook over low heat, so you will get a pleasant velvety consistency.
What nuances affect taste and aroma?
Variety
For Turks, they choose fresh roasted grains, which are ground 5-10 minutes before cooking. This prevents essential oils and acids, which are responsible for the smell and richness of the drink, from evaporating.
The Arabica variety will provide a rich aroma. Lovers of strength will appreciate the mixture of Robusta and Arabica. Find out more in the article “Names and characteristics of coffee varieties.”
Cezve material
Pay attention to the material from which the Turk is made. A practical option is metal utensils with a food-grade tin center.
You will enjoy the rich taste of the drink if you choose a cezve made from baked clay. But you can only cook the selected variety in it once, since with frequent use the clay accumulates aromas.
If you prefer variety, choose a ceramic model. Read more in the article “What should a Turk be made of?”
For lovers of variety
Add flavor notes - experiment with spices, seasonings, toppings.
It is impossible to imagine a Turkish recipe without cardamom, anise, and cinnamon. Sugar will change the taste and create a fluffy foam. In Turkey, serving a drink without foam means disrespect for the guest.
Interesting! Rules for making coffee in a coffee machine
A pinch of salt will soften the bitter aftertaste. Another option is to pour milk into a pre-prepared drink.
Find out how to brew an original drink in the article “What else is added to coffee for taste and aroma.”
Maintain the proportions of coffee and water, which we will discuss further.
So how many spoons of coffee should you put in a Turk for one person?
There is not and cannot be a clear answer: some people like very strong espresso and drink it from a 50 ml cup, others brew 300 ml and like to drink it from a huge mug. However, calculation methods still exist:
Typically, a 200 ml serving uses 7 grams of ground coffee.
- A level teaspoon holds approximately 4 g of ground grain.
- A heaped teaspoon contains approximately 6 grams.
That is, if we need 7 g, that’s about 2 level spoons per cup or one heaped spoon and a little more at the tip.
It is advisable to use the scale at least once and measure exactly how much fits into the specific devices you use when measuring.
Now let’s measure the approximate amount of coffee per cup of different sizes:
| Easier if this is not the first cup of the day, g | Usual to wake up in the morning, g | Strong enough to dilute with milk, g | |
| 30 ml, espresso | 4 | 5 | 7 |
| 100 ml, those same “half a cup of coffee” | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 200 ml, small cup | 4 | 7 | 9 |
| 350 ml - usually the tallest cup for tea | 6 | 8 | 10 |
It is clear that the numbers are a bit relative; rarely does anyone measure grams. But remember about a heaped spoon - 6 g.
Warm cups before filling
Be sure to warm up the cups with boiling water or in the oven.
It is strictly not recommended to pour coffee prepared at home into cold containers, as this can negate the efforts spent on brewing the aromatic drink. A common way to heat cups is to first pour boiling water over the dishes. An alternative is to keep the cups in the oven for a short time.
Making Turkish coffee is a real art, and not everyone succeeds in brewing it well the first time. However, if you follow the basic rules developed over many centuries of veneration of this drink, the result will not be long in coming. Having mastered the basic principles, you can begin to experiment and create personal unique recipes with unique tastes.
Making Turkish coffee for 2 people
It would seem that the calculations should simply be twice as large, but in fact, this is not how it works. You need to pour in a little less, since the drink takes longer to prepare, which means it will be stronger. Even while the water is just heating up, the flavoring and aromatic substances are already beginning to pass into the liquid medium. That is, a higher concentration is obtained, and if you do not want the drink to be too strong, you should sprinkle less.
If you do not drink coffee at the same time, and for some, the drink remains in the Turk so that it does not cool down, it continues to be saturated, and as a result it will turn out to be too strong and bitter. Do not let the drink come into contact with the grounds in the cezve for a long time; pour it into cups immediately.
How much time do you need to spend
So, how long should you brew coffee at home in a Turk to always get a delicious, invigorating drink? According to the most conservative estimates, the entire process will take 3-4 minutes, although lovers of a strong drink will spend about 8-10 minutes brewing. If the grains still need to be ground, add another 3-4 minutes to the main time.
The richer and thicker the foam, the tastier and more aromatic the coffee.
In the East, time moves slower, so they prepare coffee slowly, sedately, enjoying the cooking process itself. Many people also roast the grains themselves, grind them, and only then begin the cooking process. Of course, a European cannot afford to spend so much time on a morning energy drink, so he increasingly resorts to using a coffee maker or coffee machine.
This is a good option that helps save time and effort, but it is much nicer to spend just 5 minutes to perform a simple but colorful ritual using a copper Turk. While the coffee is brewing, you can enjoy its rich aroma and feel how your body awakens, how your eyes open wider and how quickly the desire to try a sip of this magnificent energy drink grows.
How many spoons of coffee to put in Turks of different sizes
You need to base your calculations on how strong the drink you want to get in the end. On average, approximately, this is the same heaped teaspoon and a little more to prepare one serving. But it will be easier if we do the calculation:
| Turk / spoons | For 1 or 2 people | For company, or to dilute with more milk or boiling water |
| 300 ml | 7 | 12 |
| 350 ml | 8 | 12 |
| 400 ml | 14 | 18 |
| 500 ml | 18 | 21 |
| 600 ml | 20 | 28 |
Please note that in the second case, when you are preparing for a company, the drink turns out to be quite concentrated, and it should either be drunk in very small portions, like espresso, or diluted with cream, milk, or just boiling water.
Conclusions:
- To prepare an average portion of 200 ml, you should put a heaped spoonful of coffee in the pot and a little more on the tip.
- If you are making espresso, use a small heaped spoon.
- Do you like to drink Americano from a large cup - two spoons without a slide.
- For a serving for two, you should put a little less than what you get when multiplying the serving by two, since the drink is prepared more and will be stronger.
- You can almost always use the “spoon and a little extra” calculation to get an average drink, and vary it according to your feelings next time.
An explosion of taste and vigor for the whole day - a recipe for coffee with cinnamon powder
We suggest you try to apply the information received in practice. Let's brew some great coffee with the aroma of cinnamon.
Ingredients:
- freshly ground coffee - 2 teaspoons. spoons;
- salt - on the tip of a spoon;
- sugar - 2 teaspoons (or less - to your own taste);
- ground cinnamon - 2 pinches;
- water - 200 ml;
- milk (optional).
Preparation:
- To experience the full flavor of this drink, grind the grains right before preparing.
- Take a Turkish woman (it’s better if she has a thin “waist”).
- Pour a little salt into it.
- Add a couple of teaspoons of granulated sugar.
- Add cinnamon powder.
- Mix all the ingredients by simply shaking the cezve (without using a spoon).
- Make the fire as low as possible. Place the Turk on the burner. Heat all the components of the future drink until small bubbles form around the edges of the container.
- Just add some coffee now.
- Also heat it for about a minute on low heat.
- Pour in cold bottled water.
- Continue brewing coffee on low heat. Carefully monitor what is happening in the Turk, otherwise the coffee will “run away” onto the stove!
- As soon as bubbles appear around the edge, remove the cezve from the heat and set it aside.
- After a couple of minutes, return it to the switched on burner. To mix the ingredients, shake the Turk a little.
- Repeat such manipulations (with heating and cooling the coffee) 3 to 5 times. How long to brew coffee in a Turkish coffee pot depends on their quantity.
- Your morning coffee is ready!
- If you want, add milk or cream.
