Greek coffee is a special type of coffee drink that is enjoyed by Greeks throughout the world. It is made with a special type of coffee that is finely ground and it is also made in a special pot. Each day in Greece, you will see people gathering in the tavernas, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy a cup of this coffee while hanging out with friends and family. Here’s more information about how to make this coffee, as well as some information about coffee culture in Greece:

How is Greek Coffee Made?

Traditional Greek coffee is made with Greek coffee grounds, sugar (which is optional depending on if you want your coffee sweetened or not), and cold water. A briki, which is a type of pot, is used for making Greek coffee. Brikis typically come in 2, 4, and 6 demitasse cup sizes. And of course, you will need the demitasse cups, which you might know better as espresso cups. They are small cups that measure about 1/4 cup of water. Demitasse cups are used to measure the water that goes into the briki. Here’s a summary of the method:

• Measure cold water into the cup you will be using and pour it into the briki. Repeat depending on how many cups of coffee you will be making.
• Add 1 heaping teaspoon of Greek coffee for each cup of coffee that you will be making. Stir. You can also add sugar at this stage, if desired
• Bring the contents of the briki to a boil. Remove from the heat for a few seconds. Please it back down on the heat until it boils again. Remove it again. Repeat this process a total of 3-5 times, depending on how strong you like it.
• Pour the coffee immediately into the demitasse cups and enjoy!

Through this process, you will also be causing the coffee to form a rich foam, known as kaimaki. The richer the foam on the coffee, the better! The more it boils, the richer the foam will be.

Enjoying Your Greek Coffee

Pour the coffee evenly into the demitasse cups. Greeks enjoy their coffee piping hot along with a glass of cold water. Greek coffee is sipped slowly and savored. It can take some people hours to finish off one cup of this delicious Greek coffee. Sometimes Greek coffee is also served with sweets like cookies or other pastries. Traditionally, Greek coffee is served black, but the younger generation likes to add milk, even ordering a “double” Greek coffee so the taste isn’t diluted when the milk is added. If you’ve never had Greek coffee before, you might be surprised to see grounds at the bottom of your cup. This is totally normal, so don’t be afraid to enjoy it.

Coffee in Greek Culture

Coffee is important in the Greek culture. Greeks consume a lot of coffee every year, but it’s not just for helping them to stay alert during their day. To Greeks, coffee is a ritual to be enjoyed. As mentioned, it can sometimes take hours to finish a cup of coffee. It is truly savored while chatting with friends, reading, or just about any other activity.

Coffee breaks in Greece are unlike ones you might experience elsewhere. They are longer, up to 90 minutes, and may involve deep conversation, casual gossip, and even brainstorming. Greek coffee can be found served in cafeterias (Greek cafés for both women and men) and kafeneios (Greek coffee houses for men).

If you’ve never had Greek coffee, it’s definitely worth trying. It’s also easy to make at home, as long as you have the right cups, a briki, and the right kind of coffee. In Greece, this it is not just a drink, but also an experience.