Ark Kahvesi Grand Bazaar
If youre looking for authentic Turkish coffee, it doesnt get any better than ark Kahvesi. Its no wonder why this café is one of the most popular cafes in Grand Bazaar. Enjoy fresh baklava while sipping on your delicious Turkish coffee before exploring more shops around here.
After 60 years in the same place, ark Kahvesi became an iconic shop in Grand Bazaar. It serves Turkish coffee and tea perfect for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Grand Bazaar. It serves as an excellent example of how traditional cafes are supposed to be done.
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Making And Ordering The Perfect Cup
Grinding, roasting and brewing technique, rather than bean origin, is what sets one cup of Turkish coffee apart from the next. The traditional method is to cook the coffee on the stovetop in a small, long-handled metal pot called a cezve, being careful not to bring the liquid to a full boil. Alternatives include cooking it in the cup , with the cezve placed in hot sand rather than directly over a flame, and in a Turkish coffee machine.
Cups are cooked one at a time, after mixing the very finely ground coffee with cold water and sugar, so its essential to specify a desired sweetness when ordering. Turkish coffee can be prepared sade , az ekerli , orta ekerli or ekerli . Each establishment generally has a standard size cup for their Turkish coffee. Forget about asking for a grande, decaf, takeaway or milk.
What About Turkish Coffee Grinders
While many manual grinders can make Turkish grounds, theyre not really created for that purpose. There are such things, however, as Turkish coffee grinders. These antique-looking devices are designed specifically for grinding coffee super finely.
Most of these grinders also have adjustable burrs, but the adjustments are very small. So instead of turning the knob five clicks and moving from a Turkish grind to pour over coffee grind, those five clicks still leave you in the Turkish coffee realm.
This gives you a bit more flexibility over the grind size, since there are literally more usable settings for Turkish coffee. However, I dont really know of anyone that dials in their turkish coffee and Im not sure it would make a big difference anyway since the final brew is so intense.
I suggest sticking with a normal manual coffee grinder you can also use for other brewing methods unless you love the traditional appeal of a dedicated Turkish grinder.
Making Turkish coffee doesnt require a ton of specific gearjust a reliable ibrik and a capable grinder. This makes it a fairly accessible brew method if youre curious about the process and coffee.
Of course, Turkish coffee does tend to be pretty intense and bitter, but thats because the grounds are usually really stale and low-grade. Start with specialty-grade, freshly roasted beans, however, and Turkish coffee can actually be bursting with flavor and freshness.
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Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi Turkish Coffee
Since 1871, Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi has approached coffee production as an art form, passing on the skills, knowledge, experience and intricacies of the craft from father to son and from master to apprentice.
In line with our mission to introduce future generations to Turkish Coffee Turkeys gift to the world Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi aims to ensure that coffee lovers enjoy superior quality with each and every sip of their coffee.
About Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi
Kurukahveci in Turkish literally translated to dried/roastedcoffee maker, and Mehmet Efendi is the name of the man himself who is now the name father of Turkeys biggest Turkish coffee brand. Right up until the 19th century drew to a close, most Turkish coffee shops only sold raw coffee beans as most households roasted and ground their own Turkish coffee at home. It was Mehmet Efendis innovative genius to roast the coffee under wood-fire as well as ground the coffee to a fine dust which made it a household name, history akin to Starbucks commodifying fine coffee on the go culture in our modern times.
Nowadays, Mehmet Efendi exports their finely ground, roasted Turkish coffee all over the world and is continued on by his descendants, with the very first shop he opened still purveying at the same location. The shop is never seen without a queue stretching well in to the back streets .
Our Turkish coffee is sourced from this very roaster founded in 1871. Passing on the tradition from father to son, to keep the art form of coffee alive and bring superior taste and enjoyment to coffee lovers all over.
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The Top 3 Turkish Coffee Brands You Can Find Online
I honestly doubt that any beverage could match the charm of a steamy cup of strong, delicious coffee. For me the ultimate way of saying good morning to my lazy senses every day is to treat them with the aroma of ground and/or roasted coffee beans. Coffee being a personification of diversity is prepared differently in different parts of the globe. Whether you live for your espresso shots or are a die-hard fan of Latte, its always fun to go on a new coffee adventure! So, allow me to propose a drink thats not only unique in terms of its preparation method but has a taste that can make your taste buds sing The Turkish coffee.
A Little History About Turkish Coffee
Among all the glorious inventions during the Ottoman Sultanate, Turkish coffee certainly takes the throne . Thanks to Ozdemir Pasha, the Turkish Governor of Yemen in 1540 and a man of great taste I must say, for discovering and bringing this tasty beverage to the court of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The palace staff dedicated their efforts to fine-tune the coffee-making technique and succeeded in bringing the best out of the finely ground Arabica beans by brewing them on a special coffee-making pot, Ibrik.
As the new drink received raving reviews from the palace folks, it soon made its way into the locals of the Ottoman Empire and became an essential part of the rich Turkish culture.
Coffee Masters or Kahveci Usta were exclusively hired by the elite to prepare this exquisite beverage, which was served ceremoniously. As coffee making and drinking became a part of the wedding rituals, marriage proposals were weighed on the coffee-making skills of a potential bride. The coffee houses became the hub of political and social discussions so much so that the Ottoman Vizier had to close them down in 1656 as he feared a possible rebellion. Fast forward to a more recent time, in 2013, Turkish coffee was added to the UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage List. How cool is that?!
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How To Correctly Make The Coffee
Making Turkish coffee is quite simple. Ideally, youll want a Turkish coffee pot but if you dont have one you can cook it in another pot but make sure its tall and narrow because good coffee froths when it is cooked. If youre using coffee beans youll need to grind them first. Hand grinders for this can be bought in many Turkish shops. Grind the coffee by placing the beans in the grinder and turning the handle on the top of it . If you dont want to buy coffee beans, go to the Grand Bazaar and look for the sign saying Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. There youll find the finest ground coffee.
Turkish coffee is usually drunk without sugar, but of course you can add sugar according to your own taste. When you buy a Turkish coffee you can ask for it without sugar , sugary or very sugary . Now, lets find out some of the best places to drink Turkish coffee in Istanbul:
Best Turkish Coffee Brands
Although Turkish coffee is popularly consumed in Turkey, the number of brands on the market is limited due to their longevity. This loyalty has resulted from all these companies being established early and establishing strong brand identities within society at large.
The finest Turkish coffee is prepared from freshly ground coffee beans, which is the first choice. Freshly grounded beans arent always readily available, but the packed Turkish coffee may be found in supermarkets all around the city.
Here are some of the most well-known brands you can find in supermarkets:
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Where To Buy Turkish Coffee
As Turkish coffee has an old and huge importance in culture, it brings along a rich coffee utensil production and coffee manufacturers. You can have a chance to taste this drink from shops to restaurants. If you want to buy, you can find it in every supermarket but I will show you the place you can buy directly from an original shop.
There are two oldest coffee manufacturers next to the Spicy Bazaar. First coffee-maker comes to mind is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi in Turkey. It is very easy to find this place, either you will see a long queue in front of it or follow the smell after you complete your tour in Spicy Bazaar.
You can read all the details about coffee through their website easily.The other coffee producer is Kurukahveci Nuri Toplar. It is in the same row with first one.
Where To Find The Best Coffee Souvenirs In Turkey
A traditional copper cezve and a set of coffee cups makes a lovely gift or souvenir you can find them in all sorts of varieties in and around the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü. While youre there, join the queue near the southwest corner of the bazaar to buy some freshly ground Turkish coffee from Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. Mandabatmaz in Beyolu also sells its own roasted and ground coffee packaged to take home.
The Turkish homewares chain Paabahçe produces coffee cups and sets in a variety of styles, while local designer Özlem Tuna puts her own chic spin on cups and saucers. Finally, the Pera Museum gift shop also sells a small companion book to its Coffee Break exhibit.
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What Is A Turkish Coffee Pot
As seen in the pictures below, Turkish Coffee Pot is a specifically designed coffee pot to make Turkish Coffee. It is built with a handle to prevent the hand of the coffee maker from burning.
These ibrik also has a uniquely designed brim section which makes the pouring of coffee in a Turkish Coffee Pot easy without spilling it on the Turkish Coffee Saucer.
The Best Turkish Coffee Brands
We have surely come a long way since the first coffee houses were opened in Eminönü, Istanbul almost five centuries ago, and you and I can now enjoy a delicious cup of Turkish coffee luckily while watching Netflix on our comfy couches. Some of the most prominent Turkish coffee brands are the following:
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Wood Fire Roasting Turkish Coffee Brands
As you understand wood fire roasting is the first method that people used to roast coffee beans.
Today, only a few companies use this coffee bean roasting method because it is difficult, time consuming and unproductive.
Modern coffee roasting plants of course prefer electricity to heat up their roasting pans.
Mughe Gourmet is the child of businessman Muge Ergulec whose company started operating in 2013.
The company actually distributes sweets and other foods . Its motto: What you eat is what you are.
Coffee is a new addition to its range of products but the focus is always the high tasting quality.
Online business is a new development for the company. Its presence though in AMAZON and EBAY is a positive business step.
MADO is an ice cream brand in Turkey and very successful with more than 250 stores/cafes worldwide.
It started in 1850 and moved to a franchise business in 1991.
Coffee started as a required product for their drinks line. To make it unique MADO uses wood fire roasting.
It is indeed a smart choice because their coffee is excellent.
Now you can find it online as well .
Fazl Beyin Trk Kahvesi
This cozy café in Kadköy is one of the most popular coffee shops among locals. You can visit Fazl Bey for a quick cup while youre on your way to explore chic Kadköy, or even sit and drink it there if you have time.
Besides enjoying your Turkish coffee here, you can also buy packed grounded coffees. They offer a wide range of products, from caffeine-free to chocolate flavors.
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Choosing A Body Material
Turkish coffee makers come primarily in three materials: brass, copper, and stainless steel. Each material has advantages as well as disadvantages, though they are all capable of producing incredible Turkish coffee.
- Brass This traditional gold-toned metal can look a bit antiquated, but when in the midst of a kitchen chasing an older style, it can appear quite elegant. Brass as a metal doesnt rust and is generally less corrosive than copper, so you can count on a long product lifespan.
- Copper This metal also cannot rust, but it can corrode over the course of decades. For this reason, most copper pots are lined with tin on the inside to increase the product lifespan. Coppers a stylish metal in modern kitchens, and many of these ibriks come with elegant designs hammered into the sides.
- Stainless Steel You know stainless steel. Its modern, its sleek, and its super easy to clean. While it doesnt really capture as much of that romance, its definitely the longest-lasting material for ibriks and is dishwasher-safe.
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All three of these materials are safe for making coffee and brew a good strong cup. If youre a frequent Turkish coffee lover, go ahead and get an old-school copper or brass ibrik as well as a sleek stainless steel one. Then you have the option of super easy cleaning or traditional appeal.
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The 10 Best Turkish Coffee In Istanbul For Real Coffee Buffs
Are you looking for a great cup of Turkish coffee in Istanbul? If so, you have come to the right place Istanbul is one of the best places to get coffee in the world. The Turkish coffee culture has been around for centuries, and its no surprise that the locals are addicted to Turkish coffee, and many places are serving Turkish coffee in this city.
Although there are numerous delicious foods and beverages to try in Istanbul before you leave, without a doubt, Turkish coffee and Turkish delight are some of the essential ones. If you are a coffee lover, you will be amazed by this strong and flavourful Turkish coffee, unlike any other.
In this blog post, I will be covering the following topics:
- Turkish coffee tradition.
- The finest Turkish coffee brands that you may take with you when you return home. You will want to prepare it yourself after sampling Turkish coffee in Istanbul.
- List of 10 places that serve the best Turkish coffee in Istanbul.
Orlulu Ali Paa Medresesi
When you visit Istanbul, make sure to check out the old and popular attraction in Beyazit: Çorlulu Ali Paa Medresesi. It was a religious complex built as a place of learning for science and theology back in 1707. Today, it serves as an important tourist attraction, a café, and a shisha lounge.
A century-old coffee house is serving Turkish coffee and hookah to its guests in this historic building. If youre looking for an authentic cultural experience, we recommend joining the locals by ordering a shisha along with your Turkish coffee or dibek coffee.
If you would like to enjoy the spectacular view of the Istanbul Historical Peninsula and sip Turkish coffee in one of its luxurious historic hotels, we recommend Pera Palas Hotel. Their cafe inside is open to the public you do not have to stay there for this experience.
Pera Palas Hotel has been serving since 1895, and it is one of the best places to visit for Turkish coffee in Istanbul. Patisserie de Pera cafe, located inside the hotel, is where coffee lovers can enjoy the best Turkish desserts along with a cup of coffee.
Istanbuls old, dilapidated yet beautiful houses and hidden churches and synagogues make Balat a destination for urban explorers. Cumbal Kahve is one of the newest cafés in this popular neighborhood.
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Do You Need A Special Turkish Coffee Grinder
If youve ever felt Turkish ground coffee, you know that its insanely fine. Like, a super fine powder that doesnt even resemble coffee . Sure, some people use regular ground coffee, but thats not how its meant to be done.
To achieve such a fine grind, you need a pretty powerful grinder. Most electric grinders under $250 are not capable of producing Turkish grounds. Thankfully, because of how manual grinders are designed, many of them can.