When the Ottomans conquered a small Yemeni town named Mocha, they found coffee beans and took them back home. To their knowledge, this was probably the best plunder of the Ottoman Empire’s history. This was the beginning of the Turkish coffee story.
Turkish coffee, since that time, has had so much of an impact on Turkish culture that UNESCO declared Turkish coffee an intangible cultural heritage in 2013. In addition, Turkish coffee is traditionally accompanied by Turkish delight. The sweetness of it balances out the strong bitter sensation of the coffee. We’ve reviewed a list of products from the best Turkish coffee brands around the world.
History Is Rich, Just Like The Coffee
This drink’s introduction to Turkish lands is a fascinating story. It was first introduced by Özdemir Pasha, the Ottoman governor of Yemen at that time. When he visited the Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent back in 1554, he introduced the drink to the Sultan. The Sultan drank it and fell in love with the coffee. Since then, the Shams of Damascus and Hakem of Aleppo opened the initial two coffeehouses in Istanbul. And now, back in modern times, Turkish coffee and Turkish coffee makers have become the most integral part of the culture.
Turkish Coffee Types
Turkish coffee stands out from other coffee drinks because of how finely it is crushed before brewing. The brewing procedure has remained unchanged over the centuries and keeps the coffee sediments in the cup. It’s served with a piece of Turkish delight and a glass of water to help clean the palate.
There are three different Turkish coffee types.
- Dibek: The word “dibek” means “mortar” in Turkish. This coffee grind is made with the help of a mortar and pestle. The flavor of the coffee alters because of the disintegration of the stone. Dibek is also a thicker brew than traditional Turkish coffee
- Mirra: The word “mirra” means “bitter” in Arabic. So, mirra is a stronger version of the classic Turkish coffee. Mirra is the trademark drink of the Southeastern Anatolian culture
- Menengiç: Menengiç is made of pistachio beans. It has a fruity flavor and is addictive. Only found in the southeastern parts of modern-day Turkey. They roasted pistachio tree seeds, mashed them, and then turned them into a chocolate-like paste. Menengic is an organic decaf coffee and is traditionally cooked with milk and sugar
Seven Of The Best Turkish Coffee Brands
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
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Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi is a product that is known to offer the most authentic taste of Turkish coffee. Mehmet Efendi beans are freshly ground to an extremely fine powder. The coffee comes in an airtight container.
One spoonful of this premium-grade coffee will fill the air with its aroma and guarantee one strong cup of coffee! It’s recommended to add 1 spoonful of sugar and coffee in 1 cup of water. Like proper Turkish coffee, it produces a lot of crema.
- The premium coffee company is based in Turkey
- One of the most famous Turkish coffee brands in the world
- Ideal for the traditional Turkish coffee perpetration method
Al Ameed Gourmet Turkish Coffee
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Passion, Excellence, and Great Coffee – that’s what to expect from Al-Ameed since 1973. It’s not just about coffee; it’s about showcasing the craft and passion behind it. Al-Ameed roasters constantly compare, sip, taste, and repeat before packaging.
Roasts with cardamom flavor are perfectly balanced, deliciously smooth, and well-rounded Turkish coffee blends. The coffee comes from organic farms in Turkey. The beans are carefully selected and skillfully dark-roasted. The package preserves the deep, rich aroma and freshness.
- Deep and richly aromatic
- 100% authentic Arabica beans
- Sada ground, French ground, Light roast, Medium roast, and Dark roast are the roast levels
Kahwe Turkish Coffee
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Kahwe is satisfying because their coffee is the freshest. Kahwe coffees are packaged and shipped soon after roasting and grinding. Kahwe puts a lot of effort into delivering fresh coffee at its peak; just 2–5 days old when you open their coffee the first time.
Kahwe uses a 600-year-old authentic small batch slow roasting technique. It’s an extremely fine, powdery, flour-like grind. They use 100% roasted Arabica beans. Also, no additives or artificial flavors are involved in the process. Its superior flavors, smooth body, and rich aroma make it a premium gourmet brand.
- The flavor intensity is medium
- Turkish coffee from the United States
- There are two varieties: medium and mild
- The acidity is balanced and the body is light
- Rich, strong, and sweet coffee with a creamy finish
Cafe Najjar Turkish Coffee
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Café Najjar started their journey in 1957 with a small artisanal roaster in Beirut. Today, Café Najjar is one of the finest Turkish coffee brands and is proudly enjoyed by all coffee lovers around the world.
Café Najjar offers exceptional Turkish gourmet coffee. Known for the freshest, best-tasting coffee in the Mena Region, their special-quality vacuum-foiled double-wall packaging retains freshness and intense aroma. Their coffee is a mix of Brazilian ground coffee with dark roasted 100% Arabica beans. Cafe Najjar ensures a perfectly balanced blend of coffee and cardamom with an exquisite full-body mouthfeel that mirrors its heritage and dedication.
- Gluten-free and Vegan brand
- 100% Arabica coffee bean-made
- Lebanese coffee brand with a dark roast
- Variants: Original, Original with Cardamom, and Decaf
Mariam Turkish Coffee
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Mariam has a romantic founding story. The owners were two strangers far away from their loving homes, who met over Turkish coffee in Istanbul. They finally realized Turkish coffee is their common love after many wonderful, hour-long conversations. So, the café became their meeting point.
Conversations then turned into deep affection, a reassuring feeling, and the two strangers, Isra and Mohammed, became lovers. And Mariam’s coffee became their lovechild. Mariam Coffee is a mix of indigenous coffees from Asia and Latin America. Expert supervisors maintain a strict production schedule for coffee in a suitable environment. From the farms to the hands of Mariam’s lovers.
- 100% pure Arabica beans
- Medium roast coffee beans
- Coffee has a distinct fruity flavor
- Available both with and without cardamom
Kahve Dunyasi
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Kahve Dunyasi hails from Turkey and is dedicated to providing an authentic Turkish coffee experience locally and internationally. They make three different coffee flavors dictated by the roast profile — light, medium, and dark.
Their coffee is roasted in a unique manner that helps to protect its freshness and aromatic notes. That’s why they insist on brewing their coffee in the traditional Turkish pot without a filter. Kahve Dunyasi’s resulting cup of coffee has deep color, texture, and flavor notes. It’s a certified halal product and guaranteed to give you fine cups of espresso or Turkish coffee.
- 100% Arabica bean
- Freshly ground and packed
- Medium-roasted coffee with a mild Aroma
Selamlique’s Authentic Turkish Coffee
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Starting in 2009, Selamlique is a boutique blend of Turkish coffee. They offer various aromas, developed with the purpose of pushing the traditional boundaries of Turkish coffee. Their efforts were a success, and they eventually decided to become a separate entity.
Selamlique Turkish coffee is produced with 100% natural ingredients. They have their own modern facility in Izmir for processing and packaging. Selamlique coffee ensures quality and preserves the authenticity of Turkish coffee. Selamlique sources from all over the world, but roasts and ships from Istanbul. The grind size is ideal for making Turkish coffee and gives an ideal mouthfeel when drinking.
- Sun-dried coffee beans
- 100% Arabica bean-made finely ground coffee
- Flavors: Chocolate, cinnamon, Dark Roast, Mastic, Rose, Traditional, and Orange
Turkish Coffee Buying Guide
Before going for your Turkish coffee purchase, please take these matters into consideration to get the best possible outcome from your purchase.
- Always check the label for the production date of the coffee before making a purchase
- Try to buy coffee that has good packaging so that it’ll stay fresh and safe for the longest possible time
- Turkish coffee powder can be made out of any type of bean. As long as it’s dark-roasted and finely ground, you can make coffee out of it
- If you like to grind your own Turkish coffee, you can also go with a French Roast blend (or its decaf version). The more “powdery” and less “gritty” the ground is, the better
- You can brew it on your stovetop or in an electric Turkish coffeemaker
- Chocolate, cinnamon, cardamom, mastic, aniseed, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel are all legit additives for Turkish coffee
- Buy in small batches if you brew coffee in an Ibrik or Cezve. With an Ibrik pot, you can only brew 2 cups of coffee at a time!
- For the best-tasting brew, brew in either brass, copper, or stainless steel-made pots
In terms of sweeteners, you can use sugar, honey, and milk.
FAQs
What Kind Of Coffee Is Best For Turkish Coffee?
The dark-roasted Arabica types are the best, like the French-roasted beans. If you’re not a fan of dark roasts, then opt for medium roasts.
What Is So Special About Turkish Coffee?
It’s strong, deliciously thick, has a lot of crema on top, and is enjoyed with plain sugar and various aromatic spices. Turkish coffee is more like cooked coffee, not brewed.
What Kind Of Coffee Do Turks Drink?
They drink Turkish coffee that is made of pure Arabica beans or sometimes a blend of Arabica and Robusta. It’s the finest ground coffee.
What Makes Turkish Coffee Different?
Turkish coffee is not a drip coffee or even a filtered coffee. It’s more like a tea preparation—cooked slowly with hot water.
Is Turkish Coffee High Quality?
Yes, it is. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the ancient coffee types; it’s rich and highly caffeinated.
Do You Drink The Sludge In Turkish Coffee?
No, you don’t drink it. It’s the remainder of the coffee grounds.
Is Greek Coffee The Same As Turkish Coffee?
Yes, it’s the same. In fact, Greek, Cypriot, Romanian, and Bosnian coffees are all Turkish coffee variants.
Conclusion
So, now that you know about the best Turkish brands, buying guides, and how to brew perfectly, it’s high time for you to get into this new journey. Get ready, because your taste buds are about to be blown away by this ancient and delicious brew!
If you have further questions after reading this guide, please let us know and we’ll respond as soon as possible. Happy Brewing!
