'Ibrik' is a turkish word referring to a little hand hammered copper pot used for making black turkish coffee. This pot (holds one or two servings) usually comes with a long brass, wooden or ceramic handle, and a spout through which the liquid can be poured. The arabs and the israelis call it 'fengian', the Greek, 'briki'.
Coffee , as we all know, crosses borders and cultures, and it's always an interesting, loved subject.
ibrik pots and adequate tiny coffee cups
There's a coffee shop in the center of my hometown which keeps a stand outside, near the entrance, with some twenty-five such pots. ( it looks a bit like a Christmas tree with ornaments).At first, I thought it's just a gimmick to attract customers, but no, the pots are for sale, and for quite a high price.
closer view of the ibrik pots and the tiny coffee cups
I always keep an ibrik in my kitchen; mine is made of stainless steel, not of copper, and it's not hand hammered.
I rarely drink turkish coffee these days, but I sometimes make it for guests who love this kind of black liquid.
I put the three-four components:cold water, coffee, sugar and or milk into the ibrik; place the little pot on the stove's lowest fire and wait until foaming begins. The foam gets put into the tiny coffee cups. I wait again till boiling starts for a second time, and immediately (without boiling) remove the ibrik to serve the coffee in the little cups. Turkish coffee is being served with a glass of cold water to enjoy the coffee better.
It may sound simple, but to make good, genuine turkish coffee is an art not easily mastered, and certainly not by anyone. There are annual regional and national organized contests in many parts of the world, and there is a world wide contest named 'the ibrik championship'(see its logo in the header above). It's considered one of the most fascinating individual contests.
Last year's golden medal (competition held in Budapest, Hungary) went to a young India born contestant, working in Dubai. This year's champion is Slava Babych of Ukraine.
Here's a little youtube video with Slava.
I rarely drink turkish coffee these days, but I sometimes make it for guests who love this kind of black liquid.
I put the three-four components:cold water, coffee, sugar and or milk into the ibrik; place the little pot on the stove's lowest fire and wait until foaming begins. The foam gets put into the tiny coffee cups. I wait again till boiling starts for a second time, and immediately (without boiling) remove the ibrik to serve the coffee in the little cups. Turkish coffee is being served with a glass of cold water to enjoy the coffee better.
It may sound simple, but to make good, genuine turkish coffee is an art not easily mastered, and certainly not by anyone. There are annual regional and national organized contests in many parts of the world, and there is a world wide contest named 'the ibrik championship'(see its logo in the header above). It's considered one of the most fascinating individual contests.
Last year's golden medal (competition held in Budapest, Hungary) went to a young India born contestant, working in Dubai. This year's champion is Slava Babych of Ukraine.
Here's a little youtube video with Slava.
I have some of these, but I never knew how to use them. How do you filter out the dregs?
ReplyDeleteI used to have two ibriks: one for use, and the other (handmade) for decoration.
DeleteAs for dregs, it can be reduced; you have to be a bit experimental with the grinding - fine, but not too fine grinding. Anyway, just don't drink the last sip.
i visited sarajevo and mostar a loooong time ago - but i still have my coffee pot and cups similar to this from there :) :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was a great bargain. You gave me an idea, in case I visit Sarayevo (never been there) I'll look for ibrik and cups. there. Thanks.
DeleteIf you visit Sarajevo don't forget to try 'burek' (filo pastry cheese pie) :)
Delete'Burek' - we call it here 'bourekas'. Oh, that's heavenly pastry of Balkan origin! I love it all: with cheese/potatoes/apple..whatever.
DeleteSadly, I have to limit myself if I wish to watch my weight.
I think that Turkish coffee might be a bit on the strong side for me, as is the French coffee served here. And the cups are so tiny as well, unlike the large mugs we drink from at home!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, as always.
Turkish is rather strong for me too, and I prefer a larger cup than the one used for black or esspreso coffee.
DeleteI usually drink Nesscafe (red Mug)with a bit of milk, sometimes the decaf. version.
There are so many different coffee's available now.
ReplyDeleteI'd not heard of an ibrik before, very interesting to read your post, thanks for the video.
All the best Jan
Indeed.There are at least 7 types of coffee: brewed coffee, espresso, cappucino, americana, caffe latte, turkish coffee, caffe machiata.
DeleteMe, when I'm out, I drink cappucino, at home nesscafe Red Mug. In my younger days, I used to drink a lot of turkish coffee.
We also call it ibrik, but that is because we were, sadly, under Turkish rule for some 500 dark years filled with slavery, torture and rape :(
ReplyDeleteMy people are obsessed with black coffee but we first let the water boil with sugar and then remove it from the stove, put coffee powder, return it to the stove so that it bubbles and then it is done :)
Those little cups in which they serve it are called filjans.
I myself drink only tea, and most people think I'm not normal.... in my country you drink tea only when you're ill :)
Your comment made me smile, as I too drink tea only when I'm ill, usually with a bad cold in winter.
DeleteThe word 'ibrik' is known to me from childhood. Romania (my country of origin) was also under Turkish rule and its language has absorbed many turkish words such as 'baksheesh' (tipping), for example.
I have never had Turkish coffee but would love to try it. One of my daughters partner is Turkish; and they took me to dinner in TO last June. It is now my favorite food!
ReplyDeleteTurkish coffee is not a new concept; it goes back to the 16th century when the ottoman governor of Yemen liked it and introduced it to the Sultan of Turkey.
DeleteIt's a way of preparing unfiltred coffee and it's very popular in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East and the Balkans.
Do try it,by all means; why not. There's a lot of info on the Web on how to prepare it.
While I reading about Turkish coffee, Duta, I was thinking of expresso which is brewed in a small pot as well. It is much too strong for my taste. And I also favor tea but do enjoy coffee as well, just not strong coffee for me.
ReplyDeleteBoth turkish coffee and espresso are strong for me too, and interfere with my sleep. Occasionally,I'll have a small turkish or espresso.
DeleteThey say there's more caffeine in a regular coffee than in the concentrated, thick espresso. Go, figure.
Interesting video and post. I love coffee but I'm thinking this kind might be too strong for me. I can see where lots of practice is needed to make it just right!
ReplyDeleteLike in everything else, "practice makes perfect". It's all a matter of practising -no matter how simple the process is.
DeleteSuch kind hospitality that you serve Turkish coffee to your guests even though you don`t drink it much!! I like coffee but never really have an opportunity to try Turkish coffee. It sounds good with the milk and sugar how you make it!! Sounds special the way you have a pot from your hometown, and all the associations with this coffee!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sheyndel. Turkish coffee is good for young people as it keeps them awake and energetic; not so recommended for older ones who need their daily 7 hours of sleep. On the whole - it's always a pleasure to make and/or drink it.
DeleteI don't know if I'd really like coffee that strong, but it looks great in the video!
ReplyDeleteWell, the ukrainian in the video is a barista (bartender who 's trained in preparing and serving espresso based coffee). It's an italian word.
DeleteBoa tarde, tive o prazer de beber uma única vez café turco, como apreciador de café, gostei do mesmo.
ReplyDeleteFeliz fim de semana,
AG
Nice to know you're a coffee lover, and that you've had once a turkish coffee , and appreciated it.
DeleteI am a coffee lover.
ReplyDeleteI drink a cup a day.
I wish I can have a cup of Turkish coffee one day.
If you drink only a cup a day, you can hardly call yourself a coffee lover, but it's a good beginning.
DeleteI have a hand-pounded, copper idrik... one of my loved possessions. I love Turkish coffee. Really wakes me up! :)
ReplyDeletehttps://www.pratishthakhan.com/
Indeed,Pratishta, turkish coffee wakes one up. It's known to help with digestion and also to keep one alert and active during the day.
DeleteI used to drink coffee all day long but now I find that if I have any at all after 2pm I don't sleep that night. I've had to switch to Decaf. What an interesting post and I love the video, it looks as though he is warming up the idrik in sand? Very interesting. I will have to watch it on YouTube so I can make the picture bigger.
ReplyDeleteYes, coffee might affect sleep (especially the black, turkish coffee). See that the caffeine is extracted naturally (by hot water); this decaf coffee is more expensive, but I won't buy it if the labe doesn't read 'by natural means'.
Delete