How to Brew Mediterranean Coffee

Turkish, Greek, or Lebanese, it’s our cup of joy!

Some call it Turkish, some refer to it as Greek, others argue that it’s Lebanese but history attests to Yamen as the place where this finely ground, almost powder-like coffee originated thousands of years ago before making its way through the Mediterranean regions. We call it divine with no argument there. If you have a love for coffee and haven’t tried this soothing yet strong coffee, make sure you add Mediterranean coffee to your bucket list. Not a coffee lover? Check out these 11 coffee health benefits.

How to Make Mediterranean Coffee

Growing up, I remember my dad making coffee at home. He never stirred the ground coffee though. He would add it to the boiling water and, very patiently, would let it sink in all on its own over low to medium heat. That was just his way. Also, some purposely leave at the top a bit of foam, referred to as cream. They would pour the coffee in their cups and then scoop out some of that cream and add it to their cups. If you don’t like the cream, you need to brew the coffee longer until all the bubbles practically vanish.

Also, both my parents liked their coffee with no sugar.

If they were ever sharing it with a guest that prefers it a little sweet, they would still just make one pot and add the sugar in the cup and stir. Never in the pot. Even if you normally take sugar with your Tim Horton’s or Starbucks coffee, try this one with no sugar. You might be in for a sweet surprise.

Where to Buy Middle Eastern Coffee

Specialty Lebanese, Turkish and Greek stores typically carry Mediterranean coffee, each referring to it as their own. At Mid-East, we offer pre-packaged ground coffee or freshly ground, to your taste. We carry a variety of options and flavors. For instance, the Mediterranean selection includes Arabic black or brown and a house blend, both with or without hail. We also carry Greek and Turkish (pre-ground only), both of which are quite similar in taste and texture. Our customers tend to prefer an even blend of half black and half brown Arabica or Columbian coffees to make their perfect cup, with the most popular being simply black Arabica.

The options may seem daunting for something that’s unfamiliar. If you’re not sure what to buy, ask our staff member behind the coffee bar for help and get a blend you’re sure to love. If you’re in the mood for something different, ask about our South American selection and the various flavors we carry, like pralines and cream.

Tools for Making Mediterranean Coffee

Unlike Canadian coffee, Mediterranean coffee does not require a coffee maker or any type of machine to brew. It is brewed on the stove top over medium heat once the water boils. To brew, use a traditional coffee pot.

As the video shows, you need to let the coffee rest for a couple of minutes once you turn the heat off. And while it rests, make sure to cover it with a saucer or choose a pot sold with a lid. Either way works.

To serve the coffee, you need a set of coffee cups, also called demi-tasse. You could use your espresso cups if you already have some but those tend to be larger than the traditional Mediterranean cups. Just don’t fill them up all the way. You may certainly have a refill or a few, as one cup of Mediterranean coffee contains 50 mg of caffeine. According to the Coffee & Health Organization, a safe amount of caffeine in a day is around 400 mgs. You do the math!

Typically, the cups with saucers are considered formal and are used accordingly. Cups we use daily are about the same size as the formal cups but don’t always come with saucers or even a handle and are shaped differently. Both are sold in a set of 6 with or without the saucers. Here’s a look at all that you need: