Brazil is the first country that comes to mind when we think of coffee. Though few people are aware of Greek coffee, Greek coffee has long been a part of Greek culture. Greece is known for its spectacular scenery and landscapes. But coffee has been consumed in Greece for a very long time. Greece’s connection to coffee dates back to the Ottoman Empire. In 15th-century Constantinople, now called Istanbul, the country’s first coffee shop was established.

As their day begins with a cup of coffee, drinking coffee has become a ritual for the Greeks. The Greeks are dependent on their daily dose of coffee. Greek coffee is made entirely different and has a unique flavor. Therefore, whether you are in Greece or enjoying Greek coffee elsewhere, you should have a basic understanding of coffee to understand better the culture and the significance of the beverage in Greece.

The amount of coffee Greeks consume

Greeks are known for eating grilled meat and meat-heavy dishes, but they are also among the top 20 coffee consumers in the world. On the list of the top countries with the highest coffee consumption, Greece is reportedly ranked 17th. The Greek population is estimated to consume more than 5 kilos of coffee each year.

Greek coffee and its process of making

The flavor should be familiar if you’ve previously had Turkish coffee. Greek coffee is also comparable to coffees from Bosnia, Cyprus, Serbia, and Armenia. Arabica coffee beans are roasted at a particular temperature and then finely ground to powder to make Greek coffee. To give the coffee a distinctively creamy and rich flavor, the coffee is next boiled rather than brewed.

Greek coffee is prepared in a tall, slender coffee pot known as a briki, which is heated on a stove with water, sugar, and grounded Greek coffee. Greek coffee is quite easily measured using an equal amount of sugar and coffee. After that, the briki is heated and boiled until it foams. After all the bubbles have vanished, it is taken off the heat and boiled once more until it foams. The coffee will then be prepared for consumption.

Features of Greek coffee

Greek coffee is distinctive in that it is boiled, unlike most other countries where it is brewed. Greek coffee is boiled, making it rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and very little caffeine compared to other types of coffee. It’s also known that drinking this coffee lengthens life expectancy. Researchers have also discovered that because of their propensity for drinking coffee, people who live on Greek islands have higher living ratios than anyone else on earth.

Way of serving and drinking

Greek coffee is served with a glass of water in a small espresso-like cup. Although some people like it with milk, it tastes best when it is black and sweet. Allowing the coffee grounds to settle will help you slowly enjoy your beverage. However, take care not to consume the coffee grounds along with the coffee as this will spoil the overall enjoyment.