Turkish Coffee VS. Espresso: Is Turkish Coffee Stronger Than Espresso?

So, what’s the first thing you need to know about Turkish Coffee VS. Espresso?

Turkish coffee is stronger than espresso because it has higher caffeine content. Turkish coffee is made from finely ground coffee beans (finer than espresso grinds) that are boiled in a small pot, usually served in a demitasse cup. Espresso is made from finely ground coffee beans that are brewed under pressure and served in a small cup. Both coffees have a rich flavor and are high in caffeine.

Strong coffee is a concentrated beverage that has a higher coffee-to-water ratio. Espresso is the symbol of a strong coffee drink. The strength merely depends on the brewing process. Following this, Turkish coffee got a place among the strong coffee.

But, there is a volume difference between Turkish coffee and espresso drinks. So, the strength varies as well. It is sometimes hard to decide which one is stronger.

Both beverages are in a strong category. But, coffee lovers like to draw a line between these. Here, I will discuss everything about Turkish coffee vs. espresso drinks.

Turkish coffee is also a home drink in Turkey, Greece, Armenia, and some European countries. The Ottoman Empire introduces this in their dynasty. Though the name changes when it crosses the borders. Sometimes, the number of ingredients varies a little. Unlike other coffee brewing, Turkish coffee needs no filtration while preparing.

In Turkish coffee, medium-roasted extremely fine coffee grind using in the brewing process. Water, sugar, and ground coffee boiled in a long-handled, small pot called Cezve. As soon as boiling, it serves in a small traditional porcelain cup called Kahve fincanı. While drinking, you will find a lot of suspended ground coffee in the cup.

Since sugar mixes during the brewing process, it covers the bitterness. But higher in caffeine content. Sometimes, cardamom, salep, or mastic can use to add flavors to the drinks. Turkish coffee has different names in different places. For instance, it includes ibrik, sev soorj, turecká kava, or domestic coffee.

Espresso drinks are popular beverages in cafes, parties, and even official meetings. Cappuccino, latte, caffé mocha, and there are lots of varieties of espresso. Even Americano, short black, and long black are variations of espresso.

Espresso originated in Italy. Use dark-roast and fine grinds. It brews under 10-15 bars of pressure with nearing boiling water. A very concentrated, cloudy drink we get after brewing due to the dissolved solids. Though it serves in small amounts, it contains higher caffeine. High-pressure brewing creates crema on the above surface of the drink. Crema is a small air bubble that leaves a smooth mouthfeel. It carries the flavor and oil of coffee beans which enhances the taste. Espresso serves in Demitasse, a reverse doom-shaped small cup.

Espresso can prepare with any blend but, Arabica provides the best taste. Dark roast with chocolate and smoky notes is the right profile for the espresso drink. And, fine grind sizes of beans complete the preparation cycle. Remember, too fine grounds and more brewing time will make the drink bitter.

Check out the detailed description of espresso vs. Turkish coffee. So, you will not be puzzled anymore.

Turkish coffee can make with Arabica and Robusta beans. Sometimes using a mixed blend can perform best. On the other hand, Arabica beans are the only winner in terms of making espresso drinks. Robusta lacks the complexness in espresso.

Turkish coffee needs a medium roast since you have to boil it to prepare the drink. But, espresso requires a dark roast to create a complex taste and an intense flavor. It holds the urge to espresso cup till the last sip.

The grind size of espresso coffee should be fine and uniform. It helps to control the water flow through the grounds. In converse, use powder-like fine-grind coffees to brew Turkish coffee. This coffee powder extracts well while boiling.

Turkish coffee does not need any filtration during the coffee-making process. But, espresso requires filtration to brew any shots. It uses different mesh filters which sit in the portafilter.

The amount of caffeine in Turkish coffee is 30-32 mg per ounce. Inverse, a single shot of espresso contains 30-50 mg of caffeine per ounce. If you intake double shots, the content will double up as well.

Turkish coffee preparation follows the boiling process. A small, long-handled pot, Cezve uses to boil coffees. It takes 5-10 minutes to brew coffee. But, espresso is brewed under high pressure and takes only 30 seconds. In both processes, it creates cloudy drinks with a strong flavor.

Turkish coffee boils up, so the temperature goes up to 100 °C (212 °F). No pressure is needed to brew Turkish coffee. On the other hand, espresso brews under high pressure, usually 10-15 bars. The required brewing temperature is 90 °C (190 °F).

Turkish coffee serves as hot drinks in traditional small cups, called Kahve fincanı. It is always paired with Turkish delights as it is the tradition of Turkey. A glass of water also companies the coffee so that you can clean your palate.

Espresso also serves as hot in small cups, usually calls Demitasse. It is a French word, that means half-cup. Some variations of espresso drinks, it may serve with ice cubes or ice cream. Espresso is served with snacks and desserts. It includes Cake, cookies, croissants, or any snacks.

Additives are optional, and you can add them to make the drinks taste better. Common additives for Turkish coffee are cardamom, salep, or mastic. On the other side, espresso suits well with milk, cream, chocolate, and so many things.

Turkish coffee lovers argue over espresso and vice versa. The reason for their claim is the strength of the drinks. Only Ristretto wins over these two drinks in this regard. But, that is not our concern today. I will talk about Turkish coffee vs. espresso here.

Coffee strength defines by caffeine concentration. According to this definition, espresso and Turkish coffee are strong enough. But which one contains more of these two? Let’s talk about the volume serves. Espresso may serve as both shot and double shots. As a result, the caffeine amount varies. Turkish coffee serves in small cups with a fixed amount. Each ounce of Turkish coffee contains 30-32 mg of caffeine.

The caffeine content in each ounce of the single-shot espresso is 30-50 mg. And a double-shot espresso contains more than 100 mg of caffeine. So, in terms of caffeine content, espresso is stronger than Turkish coffee.

Since we’ve talked a lot about espresso vs. Turkish coffee, hopefully now you have a clear idea about these drinks. Not these two only have different brewing processes but also serving amounts varies. The roasting profile, grind size, and coffee-to-water ratio differ as well. There are different opinions about which one is stronger than another. Both drinks have higher caffeine and are categorized as strong. But, according to caffeine content, espresso is stronger than Turkish coffee.

Enjoy Your Coffee!