Turkish Ground Coffee

Mehmet Efendi or Nuri Toplar?

Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi has been roasting and grinding coffee in Istanbul since 1871, near the Spice Bazaar. Its flavour is the one many people grew up with, and it is the brand to choose if you want the taste of a Turkish home.

Nuri Toplar is another Turkish coffee roaster and a good choice if you want to compare. Try both and keep the one you reach for most.

Which pack size should I buy?

• 100 g: about 14 cups. Good for trying Turkish coffee for the first time or for travel.
• 250 g: the everyday size for one or two coffee drinkers.
• 500 g: for households that drink Turkish coffee daily or host often.

How to store Turkish coffee

Once a pack is open, the fine powder loses aroma quickly. Fold the bag tightly or move the coffee to an airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dark cupboard. Avoid the fridge, where coffee picks up moisture and odours. If freshness matters most to you, buy the smaller size and finish it within a few weeks.

How to brew it

• Use one heaped teaspoon (about 7 g) of coffee per 90 ml cup of cold water.
• Add sugar to the pot before heating: sade (none), az şekerli (a little), orta (medium) or şekerli (sweet).
• Stir once, heat slowly and take the pot off just before it boils.
• Let the cup rest a minute so the grounds settle, and serve with a glass of water.

You'll need a Turkish coffee pot to brew in and a cup to serve it in; our Turkish coffee cup sets mostly hold the classic 90 ml. For the full method, read How to Make Turkish Coffee in a Cezve. We ship from our Toronto shop to addresses across Canada.