As if coming back from a Mediterranean holiday to England's weather wasn’t tough enough, it can also be a wrench to realise that those delicious beverages that you sipped abroad are hard to find when back on home soil. But no more! Here we have collected all that we know about Greek coffee, from its origins to its variations, and tips on what makes it so special, all so that you can learn how to make Greek coffee at home for yourself.
What is Greek coffee?
When you think of traditional coffee drinking nations, Greece may not be the first that comes to mind. In fact, they are the 17th top coffee-consuming countries in the world and there is something to be said for drinking a traditional Greek coffee outside a white washed cafe, overlooking the beautiful Aegean or Ionian seas. And the Greeks are passionate about their coffee. Technically, there is very little to differentiate it from Turkish coffee, but don’t let them hear you say that. Drinking Greek coffee is about much more than the caffeine kick. It’s a moment of pause — an invitation to sit, talk, and savour. In Greece, you’ll often find locals at a kafeneio (traditional café), chatting or playing backgammon at all hours of the day. The purpose is to linger, letting the conversation flow as much as the coffee.
Traditionally, Greek coffee is made in a Briki (pronounced bree-kee) with extremely finely ground coffee bean -the consistency is similar to icing sugar- which creates the drinks’ idiosyncratic thick texture. The grind size is important, as Greek coffee is unfiltered and the grounds to water ratio is vastly different to most coffees, a huge 1:10, compared to the usual 1:16. It is this that creates the distinctive taste, that is not for the faint of heart. It can be a flavour that takes even the most ardent coffee drinker a while to appreciate. Water and coffee is boiled together in the Briki until you get a nice cream, similar to the crema on an espresso, known as the kaimaki.
Even with milk -although it is more traditionally consumed without it- added the overall taste is strong, with a dark roast, almost burnt flavour, that lingers. It is also invariably served with a tall, cool glass of water.
How is Greek coffee different?
Greek coffee is different to other forms of popular coffee in a number of ways. Most coffee based drinks in the western world are prepared with an espresso base, and here is where the key differences are found.
In terms of taste and preparation, Greek coffee differs from filtered or espresso-based drinks in a few key ways:
- The grind is extremely fine, powder-like which is often described as being akin to confectioners sugar. This is essential, as the grounds are not filtered out.
- It’s not rushed. Greek coffee is slowly heated to create that signature foam without letting it boil over. Equally, it is created to be enjoyed slowly, especially with the grounds still in the drink: you don’t want to down this as you would a shot of espresso!
- It’s unfiltered, so you’ll find a layer of grounds settled at the bottom of the cup — don’t drink those.
- It is created in its own unique brewer, known as a Briki. This apparatus is specifically used to brew coffee and has its distinctive long handle and narrow top. They are often highly decorated and much cared for. The Turkish equivalent is the cezve.
- The drinking experience. The drink itself can be a different experience to what many westerners are used to: the texture is thick, the flavour is earthy, and it’s often sweetened during brewing rather than after.
But the Greek are not alone in how they drink their coffee. It is often compared to Turkish coffee, but this type of coffee drink is found throughout the mediterranean world, and truthfully, the methods are all nearly identical. The key difference is cultural rather than technical — each country has its own history and pride in the drink that they prepare and serve.
How to make Greek coffee at home
To make Greek coffee at home, you’ll need a few simple items:
- A Briki (a small, long-handled coffee pot)
- Finely ground Greek coffee (brands like Loumidis or Bravo are popular)
- Cold water
- Optional: sugar, depending on how sweet you like it
- A small espresso or demitasse cup
Steps:
1. Measure your water: Use your serving cup to measure how much water to add to the briki. One cup per person is the usual ratio.
2. Add coffee and sugar: For each serving, add one heaped teaspoon of Greek coffee to the water. For sweetness:
- Sketos (no sugar)
- Metrios (medium sweet): one sugar
- Glykos (sweet): two sugars
3. Mix well before heating. Stir thoroughly while still cold to dissolve the coffee and sugar. Once you start heating, don’t stir again.
4. Heat slowly over low to medium heat. You’ll start to see a dark foam form — that’s the kaimaki. As the foam rises, just before it boils over, remove from heat.
5. Serve immediately by pouring the coffee gently into your cup to preserve the foam.
6. Let it settle for a minute so the grounds can sink to the bottom — and remember, don’t drink the sludge at the end!
Pro tip: Add the sugar at the beginning of brewing if you want a sweet coffee. This will stop you agitating the grounds in your cup just before you drink it.
How to make Greek Coffee Frappe or Freddo
For a cold coffee in Greece, you have two main options, the coffee frappe or the coffee Freddo. Confuse them at your peril, for while they both pack a punch, they are vastly different beverages. Confusingly, none of them make use of the coffee created in a Briki. Here’s how to make greek coffee frappes or greek freddo espresso (or cappuccino) at home:
How to make Greek coffee frappe
The Greek coffee frappé became hugely popular in the late 20th century (it actually aided in the success of Nescafe becoming a household name), having been invented by Dimitris Vakondios in 1957. A greek frappe is made with instant coffee, which is blended (usually in a blender or by mechanical means) together with water and optionally sugar and milk to create a frothy, slightly bitter drink. While stronger in flavour, it is relatively similar to the frappes found across the globe.
Method:
1. In a shaker or a jar with a tight lid, combine the instant coffee, sugar, and a splash of cold water.
2. Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds until a thick foam forms.
3. Pour the foam into a tall glass.
4. Add a few ice cubes and top up with cold water (or a mix of cold water and milk if preferred).
5. Stir and serve with a straw.
How to make Greek freddo espresso
The Greek coffee Freddo, however, is an altogether different beast, and one which catches tourists out when they first taste it. Vastly stronger in flavour than the iced lattes we are used to, the drink is made up of brewed coffee or espresso. It is then added to ice and shaken like crazy to create a thick, rich, but bitter foamy drink. Sometimes sugar is added to stabilise this foam and make it a bit more palatable, and it can be topped with cold milk foam for a cappuccino variation. It is then served over more ice, creating a smooth, rich flavour where coffee is very much the central taste.
Method:
1. Brew a double shot of espresso using your espresso machine or make a thicker coffee in your briki, aeropress or moka pot.
2. If using sugar, add it to the hot espresso and stir until dissolved.
3. Fill a shaker or a tall glass with ice cubes.
4. Pour the espresso over the ice and shake or stir well until frothy and chilled.
5. Strain or pour into a tall glass filled with a few fresh ice cubes.
(OPTIONAL: In a separate container, froth a small amount of cold milk using a milk frother or handheld electric whisk until thick and creamy. Gently spoon the frothed milk on top to create a foamy layer.)
6. Serve with a straw.
Is Greek coffee stronger than espresso?
In terms of merely caffeine content, Greek coffee is generally weaker than espresso. A typical demitasse cup of Greek coffee contains about 40–60 mg of caffeine, compared to 60–100 mg in a single espresso shot. However, because Greek coffee is unfiltered, made with less water and is slowly sipped, it often feels stronger and more satisfying.
The strength is also in the flavour — rich, slightly bitter, and full-bodied, it lingers on the palate more than a quick espresso hit, giving the impression of a harder hitting experience than an espresso, which is usually drunk as a shot or added to heated milk to make a latte.
Is Greek coffee good for you?
Once you can get past its unique taste, there may be another reason why you should make Greek coffee a regular habit. Recent studies suggest that boiled Greek coffee may increase your life expectancy. Researchers investigating why residents from the Greek island of Ikaria live longer, found that the one thing that set Ikarians apart was their habit of drinking a cup of Greek coffee every day. Their coffee is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, yet it also contains only a moderate amount of caffeine when compared to coffees found elsewhere.
Can you make Greek coffee in a French Press?
The short answer is no, at least not authentically. The French Press uses coarse grounds and relies on immersion brewing and filtration, which is the opposite of what Greek coffee is about. The traditional ultra-fine grind would clog the press, and you’d lose the essential foam layer that is a key part of Greek coffee.
If you don’t have a Briki, you could try a small saucepan, but the results won’t be quite the same. A Briki is inexpensive and easy to find online — and worth the investment if you're serious about capturing an authentic Greek taste.
Final thoughts
So, what is Greek coffee? Greek coffee is more than just a drink; it's an experience. A connection to culture, conversation, and tradition. With a bit of practice and patience, you can bring a little of that Greek spirit into your own home. Whether you’re brewing it hot in winter or pouring it over ice in summer, now you know how to make Greek coffee the real way.
And for great Greek coffee you will need the freshest coffee beans going - that’s where the Coffee Bean Shop comes in. Whether you want whole beans or pre-ground (you’ll want to go for Turkish grind level for Greek coffee) you can rest assured that your coffee beans are the highest quality and batch roasted to perfection immediately before delivery.