Greek Coffee (Ellinikos Kafes) Recipe
Greek coffee preparation has as many variations as there are Greeks. Some people swear by boiling the coffee three times and stirring only once. Others boil once and stir, stir, stir. No matter how you take it, this coffee is usually sipped slowly and paired with lively conversation.
Special equipment: You’ll need a briki, a small copper or brass (or sometimes stainless steel) pot that’s narrow at the top and wider toward the bottom so that the grounds fall to the bottom.
Serve the coffee in demitasse cups that are about 2 ounces each.
What to buy: Be sure to use Greek coffee, which is a light-roast coffee and is very finely ground. It can be found at most Greek grocers.
This recipe was featured as part of our Greek Easter Celebration menu.
- Water
- Greek coffee
- Granulated sugar
- Using one of your demitasse cups as a 2-ounce measure, fill the briki with as many cups of cold water as cups of coffee you want to make. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of coffee grounds for each 2-ounce cup of coffee. Add granulated sugar, if desired: 1 teaspoon per demitasse cup for medium-sweet (metrios_) or 2 teaspoons per demitasse cup for sweet (glykys_). For an extra-strong-sweet cup (vari glykos or glykys vrastos), add 3 teaspoons sugar and 2 teaspoons coffee grounds per 2 ounces of water.
- Heat over medium heat and stir just to incorporate the grounds and sugar. As the coffee heats, foam will rise. Be sure to hold onto the handle of the briki to keep it from falling over. When the foam nearly reaches the top, remove the briki from the heat and let it stand until the grounds have settled a bit, about 1 minute. Pour a little foam into each cup, then fill each cup, moving the briki up and down to help settle the grounds. Serve with a cold glass of water.
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I believe in boiling three times, stirring once! It makes this amazing caramel flavor that is delightful.
You can find the Briki, coffee, and cups here.
http://www.grecianimports.com/
Very true - as many people of greek descent....that's how many versions you'll get. I've been making this coffee for well over 2 years, almost everyday, yet still ever so often I'll get feedback along the lines of "you made it the wrong way", or "that not how you're supposed to make it".
I guess its all about practice, so obviously if you're ever invited to a greek household, you''ll probably be...+READ
Very true - as many people of greek descent....that's how many versions you'll get. I've been making this coffee for well over 2 years, almost everyday, yet still ever so often I'll get feedback along the lines of "you made it the wrong way", or "that not how you're supposed to make it".
I guess its all about practice, so obviously if you're ever invited to a greek household, you''ll probably be greeted with that tiny coffee, and surely it'll be nothing like the one you'll make yourself.
Good luck everyone, it truly is an art to make this coffee and get a "thumbs up" from locals.-COLLAPSE
where to buy coffee and briki
do they import the greek coffee
i agree, this one should be turned into a video..
boy, a video would really help this post...