Just how long can one coffee brew take? My Turkish coffee fiasco

I tried making Turkish coffee for the first time last weekend. I figured it would be a fast process, but I was so wrong. Grinding the beans super fine took me like twenty minutes alone. Then, heating the water in that little pot felt like hours. I watched it like a hawk, waiting for the foam to puff up. It either bubbled over the side or just sat there flat. My roommate walked in and asked if I was doing a science experiment. After all that, I finally got a decent cup, but it tasted like bitter mud. Now I just stick to my regular drip coffee.

4 comments

4 Comments

paige5621mo ago

I used to think the same, that it was just about boiling it super fast. My first tries were exactly like yours, total bitter mud lol. What changed it for me was realizing it shouldn't actually boil, you just need to get it super hot and watch for that foam. I keep the heat way lower now and stir a lot more. It still takes patience but the flavor is way smoother, not just burnt. I still go back to my drip machine on rushed mornings though.

jakejones29d ago

My old Turkish coffee pot was basically a burnt flavor factory until I tried @paige562's low heat method. I keep it just below a simmer now and stir for a full three minutes. The foam is way creamier and the coffee actually tastes like coffee, not charcoal. What kind of pot are you using?

the_stella1mo ago

Sounds like a lot of work for bitter mud.

the_thomas1mo ago

That "don't boil" tip never worked for me, I get way better results letting it actually boil up fast a couple times. It gets that thick foam without being weak. @the_stella said bitter mud, but I find it's just super intense, not actually burnt if you pull it off right. You definitely need a ton of sugar to balance it though.