Greece is a beautiful country that has managed to hold on to many traditions. Notable pillars of the Greek culture include its food, large and close-knit families, religious celebrations and some unusual superstitions.
Boiling the best Greek coffee is also a major part of the lifestyle. In 2011, Greece came in 15th place in the world for coffee consumption.
Coffee-drinking is a social event that is laced with old traditions and history. There's no need to take a flight to find out more! Let's discover more about coffee-drinking in Greece and compare it to another, similar type of coffee.
How do they do it in Greece?
How to make Greek coffee
The Greeks take their coffee with a fine grind of beans. Often, this is called a "Turkish grind". The grind size and the brewing method can confuse drinkers, as there are a lot of similarities to Turkish coffee. It's not exactly the same though, and we'll find out why in the next section.
The most popular type of coffee is boiled Greek coffee. The idea is to boil the grounds in a long, narrow pot called a cezve. After serving into small cups, allow the grounds to settle to the bottom of the cup. That's where they're left once you've finished drinking.
It is usually served at social gatherings with a glass of cold water. It's also usually served black, and some regions offer a sweet treat.
There are five main types of Greek coffee. The best Greek coffee is down to each person, so they can drink it however they choose!
- Vary glykos - the sweetest type available.
- Glykos - one level down in terms of sweetness.
- Metrios - somewhat sweet.
- Sketos - unsweetened.
- Glykys vrastos - this is sweet boiled coffee, where it's boiled more than once. The main difference to the other types is this has no foam.
How to drink Greek coffee
Coffee is a social drink in Greece. The locals like to take their time and enjoy the slow pace as the grounds settle in their cup. Greeks might drink at local cafes or in their home and have a good gossip at the same time! Apparently, a Greek coffee break can last as long as 90 minutes! That's one good excuse to have a work break!
Drinking coffee is more like a daily ritual, rather than just a habit or a way to wake yourself up. There's no end to the coffee shops around the streets of this country. Despite large coffee chains making their mark, the smaller, local coffee shops are holding ground. There are two types of coffee shops you might come across.
- Kafeteria - This is a popular social spot, often for the younger generations. They are more cosmopolitan, serving at outdoor tables and turning into bars at night. It will also serve other food and beverages.
- Kafeneio - This one is more traditional. Most have been around for decades and they are primarily the meeting point for elderly Greek men. That said, everyone is welcome.
Once you have enjoyed the relaxed social setting and slowly drunk your cup, take a look at the grounds. They're used for fortune telling. Simply turn the cup upside down and allow the grounds to spread out. Then, get someone else to interpret the shapes and tell your future! According to traditions, they can also predict the weather.
Greek Coffee Vs Turkish Coffee
To avoid any further confusion, this table looks at Greek coffee Vs Turkish coffee. While the two types are not identical, there are still a lot of similarities. I want to look at both the consistencies and the differences. | Greek Coffee | Turkish Coffee |
|---|---|---|
Superstitions | You can tell your fortune from the leftover grounds | You can tell your fortune from the leftover grounds |
Serving traditions | With a glass of water. Traditionally, no sweet is served on the side. Served in demitasse cup. | With a glass of water and a sweet treat on the side. Served in demitasse cup. |
Modern drinkers | Youths usually drink at different cafes, choosing a frappe instead of the traditional Greek coffee. | The traditional drink is still largely preferred |
Grind size | Very fine, using the "Turkish coffee" grind | Very fine, using the "Turkish coffee" grind |
Consistency | Layer of foam on the top, Wet sludge left on the bottom. | Layer of foam on the top. Wet sludge left on the bottom. |
Brewing method | Boiled, not brewed, in a copper cezve | Boiled, not brewed, in a copper cezve |
Added spices | Option to add sugar if necessary | The signature spice is cardamom. You may also add nutmeg, cinnamon, anise etc. |
The Health Benefits of The Best Greek Coffee
Whilst being highly social, drinking coffee in Greece is also a great way to stay healthy. Here are some Greek coffee health benefits you may not know about.
- It is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. Both of these help towards keeping diseases at bay. They can reduce the progression of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Polyphenols also increase the ratio of good bacteria in your stomach. It's good for general health and weight management.
- It can improve cardiovascular health and even increase lifespan. Inhabitants of Greek island Ikaria have some of the longest life spans on the planet. Here, 1% of inhabitants live to be over 90 years old. Across the rest of Europe, that figure is just 0.1%.
- Greek coffee has a moderate caffeine content. Limiting caffeine intake is a good idea, as you can become dependent on it. Natural sleep and a good diet is the best way to go!
- Greek coffee is boiled rather than brewed. This process extracts more nutrients from the coffee beans, compared to the filtering method.
- It's good for the heart. It can help to protect the arteries and lower your risk of diabetes. It also leads to healthier blood vessels and protects against cell dysfunction.
A Greek Coffee Recipe
Many of the younger Greeks are choosing more modern coffee drinks over the traditional style. Since the 1960's, the Greek frappe has taken the nation by storm. It's easier to make and is just more fashionable to drink.
The word frappe means "chilled". In the 1980's, it had become one of the most popular drinks in Greece. Let's stick with the cool kids here, and I'll show you how to make a Greek frappe at home.
You will need:
- Instant coffee (2tsp)
- Sugar (2 tsp)
- Cold water
- Ice cubes
- Evaporated or regular milk (2 tbsp)
- Tall glass
- Blender or shaker
- Spoon
- Straw
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Simply add coffee, sugar and 2 tbsp of cold water into your blender or shaker. Shake well for 30 seconds, or blend for around 15 seconds. You want to produce a thick, light-brown foam. |
2. | Fill the glass with ice cubes then pour the coffee mixture over them. Fill the glass with water and milk to your tastes (half-and-half is often a good option). |
3. | Add a straw and drink immediately. Easy! Now you'll fit right in at a Greek Kafeteria. |
The Bottom Line
Now you have all of the tools to make the best Greek coffee. You can choose whether you want to try it the traditional way or the modern way. Whichever you choose, you don't have to drink it alone! Invite over some friends and talk about the neighborhood gossip for a couple of hours.
Greek coffee is good for your social life and your health. Just like Turkish coffee, it seems to be a cultural pillar that will live on for many years to come.
