How to make Turkish coffee: a frothy cup with Altıntop

Turkish coffee is more than a drink; it is a symbol of conversation, hospitality and sharing. It takes only a few ingredients, but a good cup depends on a handful of small details. In this article we walk through the steps to a frothy cup made with Altıntop Turkish coffee.

What you will need

• A cezve (a small Turkish coffee pot, sized for the number of cups you are making)
• One coffee cup of cold drinking water per cup
• One heaped teaspoon (about 6–7 g) of Turkish coffee per cup
• Sugar, if you like

The easiest way to measure the water is with the cup you will serve the coffee in. Cold water matters: as it warms up, the coffee brews slowly and the foam has time to form.

Step by step

1. Mix the ingredients in the cezve. Put the cold water, coffee and, if you wish, sugar into the cezve. Turkish coffee is made plain, with a little sugar, medium-sweet or sweet; for a medium-sweet cup, one teaspoon of sugar is usually enough. Stir a few times before you start heating, until the coffee and sugar are well mixed with the water.

2. Heat gently. Place the cezve on a low or medium-low heat. From this point on, do not stir — stirring breaks up the foam. Heating the coffee slowly gives a balanced flavour and a rich, dense foam.

3. Share out the foam. When the surface starts to rise and the foam builds up, spoon some of it into the cups. If you are making more than one cup, try to divide the foam evenly.

4. Take it off before it boils. Return the cezve to the heat and, when the coffee rises a second time, remove it before it boils over. Pour the rest of the coffee slowly down the side of each cup so the foam on top is not disturbed.

Serving and storage

Turkish coffee is traditionally served with a glass of water, which prepares the palate. A piece of Turkish delight or a few almonds on the side completes the treat. After pouring, wait about a minute for the grounds to settle before taking your first sip.

The aroma of coffee fades over time with exposure to air, light and moisture. Move an opened pack into a container with a tight-fitting lid and keep it in a cool, dry, dark place. Because coffee easily absorbs odours, storing it in the fridge is not recommended.

Altıntop Turkish coffee

Altıntop Turkish coffee comes in 100 g and 200 g packs, and by the case for retail points. Just as with our nuts, we care about freshness in our coffee. With the right measure, cold water, a low heat and a little patience, making a frothy cup at home is easier than you might think.