How Much Caffeine in Turkish Coffee?

Turkish coffee has a reputation of being strong. It has been around since the Ottoman Empire and was banned in it because of its strong taste. Today, some people still enjoy this coffee and it makes you wonder how much caffeine is in Turkish coffee?

How Much Caffeine in Turkish Coffee?

A single cup of Turkish coffee generally has around 165 mg of caffeine in it. For reference, a regular cup of coffee only has an average of 95 mg of caffeine. That means Turkish coffee contains almost twice as much caffeine compared to your regular coffee. 

Sugar being added to a cup of Turkish coffee

Since that amount of caffeine might be too much for some people. Other methods have popped up for brewing Turkish coffee. It is done by using 25 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce. This makes it less diluted and the flavor remains strong and consistent. 

Still, people enjoy drinking it and it has gained interest in the coffee community. What makes this Turkish coffee so strong and how it has so much caffeine? How does Turkish coffee fare with other types of caffeine?

What Is Turkish Coffee?

Turkish coffee is a renowned method of brewing coffee which originated from Turkey formerly the Ottoman Empire. The brewing method has been used since Ottoman rule during the 16th century. 

Turkish coffee can now be found in most parts of the world, mostly in Turkish restaurants. Coffee connoisseurs have learned this method of brewing and help keep this method alive along with Turkish culture.  

In Turkey, people generally use 2 teaspoons of ground coffee which explains why Turkish coffee almost has double the caffeine content of regular coffee. 

How Turkish Coffee Is Made

Turkish coffee can be made by adding one teaspoon of finely ground coffee (around 5 grams) into a pot called “cezve”. You also add 1 teaspoon of sugar and ¼ cup of water (60mls). The coffee is generally made from Turkey. 

You heat the mixture until the crema rises to the top. You then pour the crema into the cup. The pot or cezve is placed again on the heat until another layer of crema forms which you also pour into the cup to complete your Turkish coffee. 

The amount of sugar is optional. Even some Turkish prefer different amounts of sugar into their coffee. Here’s how they usually categorize them:Cup of coffee

  • Sade - black, no sugar
  • Az sekerli - little amount of sugar
  • Orta sekerli - moderate amount of sugar
  • çok sekerli - large amount of sugar

Ingredients of Turkish Coffee

All you need for making Turkish coffee are:

  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Sugar

Sugar generally is around 5 grams per 2 ounces (regular serving of Turkish coffee) which equates to 20 calories. 

Turkish Coffee Compared to Kona Coffee

  • 100% Kona coffee is closely similar to regular coffee  in terms of caffeine content. This equates to around 95 mg of caffeine on a cup. Compared to Turkish coffee, you can have 4 to 5 cups of Kona coffee a day.   
  • Kona coffee is known for its mild and subtle flavors while Turkish coffee is known for its strong, bold, bittersweet taste.
  • The Kona coffee variety is only grown in the region of Kona in Hawaii. Turkish coffee is grown in Bulgaria, Slovenia, Hungary, Iran, and Israel. 
  • Turkish coffee is generally cheaper compared to 100% Kona coffee.
  • You need to follow certain steps if you want to enjoy a Turkish coffee. Whereas Kona can be enjoyed simply by normal brewing. 

Recommended Caffeine Intake

Most health authorities recommend a daily caffeine intake of around 400 mg for a healthy adult. In comparison a cup of Turkish coffee contains around 165 mg of caffeine. That is around 2 and a half cups of Turkish coffee you can drink on a daily basis if you’re a healthy individual.  

However, caffeine content may vary per cup or whoever made it. Hence, you should always make sure to know how much caffeine is put into your Turkish coffee (1 or 2 teaspoon of coffee for a cup). Turkish coffee

If you go over the recommended intake, you might experience some side effects. Some of which are mild while others can be dangerous for you. 

Side Effects When Going Over the Recommended Intake

Taking too much coffee could lead to:

  • Dizziness
  • Acute headache
  • Anxiety
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Extreme thirst
  • Severe acid reflux 
  • Fever
  • Insomnia
  • Hallucinations
  • Uncontrollable muscle spasms

In worse cases, caffeine overdose could lead to shock, seizures, or coma. 

Related Questions

Does Turkish Coffee Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

Turkish coffee has more caffeine than espresso which means it has a stronger flavor and aroma than espresso. Espresso can have higher caffeine content only when it is mixed in larger volumes or with other drinks. 

Is Turkish Coffee the Strongest Coffee?

Turkish coffee is not the strongest flavor there is. There are plenty of other types that have a stronger flavor than Turkish coffee. 

Do You Drink the Sludge in Turkish Coffee?

Turkish coffee is generally served with a glass of water to help cleanse your palate. It is important to not stir the coffee when it’s in the cup or else you disturb the coffee grounds and will taste like “mud”.

Conclusion

Turkish coffee is a unique method of brewing coffee. It has a distinct strong flavor and aroma that soothes your soul. However, it also has a higher caffeine content compared to your regular coffee so be careful on how much you’re taking. 

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