The famous Turkish coffee brand Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi is today known all over the world and enjoys deserved popularity in our country. Quite an original drink, it is somewhat different from the usual espresso. However, all lovers of this drink will definitely appreciate Turkish coffee. We will tell you in detail about the manufacturer, its distinctive features, its production, and the range of Mehmet Efendi coffee. Of course, about how to brew Turkish coffee at home.
About the coffee brand Mehmet Efendi
The history of this family business dates back to the end of the 19th century. At that time, only green coffee beans were sold in Turkey. They were already roasted at home, immediately before making coffee. Mehmet Efendi, who at that time owned a small trading store in Istanbul, was the first to decide to roast coffee beans in order to sell them ready-made. After Mehmet's death, his sons began to continue and develop his business.
Already in the 30s, the family received the surname Kurukahveci, and began to participate in international exhibitions, spreading knowledge about Turkish coffee and establishing supplies abroad. Today the factory is still located in Istanbul, and is run by one family, now in its fourth generation.
Today Mehmet Efendi coffee is supplied to more than 50 countries in Europe, Asia, America and even Australia.
Prices and where to buy
In terms of the cost of coffee, Mehmet Efendi belongs to the middle price category, so every coffee lover can try it. Not all items are delivered to us, and the assortment changes, but here are the approximate prices for the most popular products:
- Ground Turkish coffee, 100g – 200–250 rubles;
- Can of ground coffee, 250 g – 550 rub.;
- Ground Turkish, 500 g – 1000 rub.;
- Espresso beans 1 kg – 1700 RUR;
- Grain Columbia, 1 kg – 2500 rubles.
You can buy Mehmet Efendi coffee in some supermarkets, mini-shops, and outlets selling Turkish sweets. But it’s more convenient to order online, there will be more choice. For example, there are a lot of offers on Yandex Market; you can find better prices and delivery from the nearest city.
Raw materials and production of Turkish coffee
The company purchases green coffee beans from various plantations, different regions, countries and even parts of the world. Each batch and variety of beans is roasted separately, and then technologists form blends from them, mixing up to 7 varieties in one blend of Mehmet Efendi coffee.
Modern high-tech equipment is used for sorting and selecting grains, roasting, and packaging. Strict control is carried out from the moment of purchasing raw materials to the final stage of production. You can be absolutely sure when purchasing Turkish coffee that you are purchasing high quality products.
Interesting Facts
The company purchases coffee from Asia, Africa and America. Each variety is roasted separately, then blending technologists and tasters create blends, mixing up to seven different varieties. At the factory, unlike a store where everything is done the old fashioned way, the latest equipment is installed and the process of processing and packaging beans is 90% automated.
The roasting and grinding technologies used by coffee companies in Europe, Asia and America today were borrowed from Turkey, although coffee does not grow here.
Coffee came to the Old World from Turkey: during the siege of Vienna by Ottoman troops, soldiers exchanged the coffee supplied to them from Yemen for other products. The blockade lasted several months, during which time the Austrians learned to roast, grind and brew coffee.
In 2020, the Mehmet Efendi brand changed: Italian designer Emre Telli offered his vision of brand design to the company’s management. I liked his ideas and the visual image of Turkish coffee changed and became more modern.
Under the influence of the younger generation, Kurukahveci created the instant “Mehmet Efendi” - Black Gold. Until now, the brand's assortment included only ground coffee or beans. “Black Gold” is a premium product; in 2020 it began to be supplied to Germany; how soon it will appear on the market in Russia and the CIS countries is not yet known.
Assortment of coffee by Mehmet Efendi
Mehmet Efendi coffee is presented in several product lines; there are not many products, but there is definitely a choice. You can buy Mehmet Efendi coffee beans or ground (to the desired degree of grinding). The assortment includes both classic Turkish coffee and global regional varieties.
They sell coffee in cans of 250 and 500 grams, as well as in soft packaging of 100 grams. After visiting Turkey, the best gift would be to buy real Turkish Mehmet Efendi coffee, which your friends and family will appreciate.
Turkish coffee
A traditional drink made from selected Arabica beans, medium-bodied, with soft sourness and subtle sweetness. The taste reveals notes of chocolate and spices, and the aroma has hints of fried bread. In Turkey, this drink is drunk mainly for breakfast.
Characteristics of Turkish coffee Mehmet Efendi (Mehmet Efendi)
Turkish coffee - what is special about this drink?
- This is the world's oldest method of brewing coffee;
- It consists of foam, coffee and sediment;
- It stands out for its bright taste, thanks to its softness and velvety foam;
- Retains warmth for a long time thanks to its delicious foam, which retains its volume long after you have poured the coffee into the cup;
- Turkish coffee Mehmet Efendi has an unsurpassed taste, thanks to its thick, syrupy consistency that stimulates the taste buds;
- The drink is thick, soft in taste and more aromatic than other types of coffee;
- With this coffee you can tell fortunes using coffee grounds;
- Thanks to the very fine grinding of the coffee, the sediment completely settles to the bottom of the cup;
- Contains less caffeine compared to other types of drinks.
The grinding of coffee beans for making Turkish coffee is very fine, ultra-fine, almost to dust. It should be cooked in a Turkish pot, immediately adding sugar, and served with a glass of water.
Mehmet Efendi coffee is roasted very dark, there is almost no sourness or sweetness in the taste, but a pleasant bitterness and smoky notes are felt and give the drink an indescribable originality.
Mehmet Efendi Filter Coffee Series
It's with mono blends from various places. Coffee is different from each other.
- Colombian drink has a lot of acid. There are many flavors and aromas here: chocolate, caramel, fruit, etc.
- Ethiopian coffee Mehmet Efendi drinks are dense and viscous. They have floral, exotic and citrus tones.
- Asian drinks have a spicy taste. Chocolate, caramel and toasted bread aroma. They are naturally sweet and mildly acidic.
- With Guatemala, the drinks are slightly sour, with citrus and floral notes. There is also the smell of cocoa beans.
How to make Turkish coffee at home
You can prepare the drink using traditional Turkish technology. You can prepare Turkish coffee at home. It is enough just to know some cooking features, which we will tell you about.
- To brew coffee properly, you need to pour 50 ml of water into the pot. Add two teaspoons of Turkish coffee.
2. The grind should be much finer than espresso so that the coffee particles sink to the bottom.
3. Add two teaspoons of sugar (optional).
4. Boil the coffee over low heat, stirring for about one minute. Then, without stirring, bring the coffee until it boils (foam rises). Do not allow it to boil under any circumstances. Then remove the Turk from the heat and, stirring slightly, put it back on the fire. As soon as the coffee boils in the Turk for the third time, it can be removed from the heat.
5. Next, pour the coffee into the cup in one quick motion, so that all the foam flows smoothly into the cup.
You can be sure that after trying Turkish coffee Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, this drink will definitely become one of your favorites.
Reviews
An indicator of the quality of goods in Istanbul is the queue that often forms in front of a company store even before the opening, and during the peak season - even in the middle of the day. Many tourists bring this particular Turkish Mehmet Efendi coffee back from their vacation. Domestic consumers also speak well of it, most ratings are a confident 5/5.
“Mehmet Efendi coffee is the best gift from Turkey, it’s actually the No. 1 drink there! I brought it many times, both to colleagues and friends, a small bag is worth as much as magnets, and is much more interesting than a souvenir. And I brought big jars for myself. I really love oriental coffee, I sincerely recommend everyone to at least try it!” — Lilya, Moscow
“It’s an interesting format, I didn’t understand it right away - it’s ground almost into dust, the texture of the drink is velvety, thick, not like our regular coffee, which is smooth and liquid. But then I tried it and even liked it. Exotic lovers and coffee gourmets will definitely like it!” — Katerina, Nizhny Novgorod
“I consider myself a coffee connoisseur, and I enjoyed learning a new Turkish coffee recipe. Now sometimes I surprise my friends, not everyone has tried it yet. I buy mostly ground.” — Taras, St. Petersburg
Overall, we definitely recommend trying traditional Turkish coffee Mehmet Efendi to discover a new format of taste. The quality is top notch! Look in stores, or bring it as a souvenir for yourself and your loved ones from a trip to Turkey.
What to bring home
It's not just coffee that's worth buying in Turkey. You can easily find everything on sale to prepare a real oriental drink at home. This set will be an excellent gift for a coffee lover. Go to specialty stores or markets.
- Cezve . The classic vessel for brewing Ottoman coffee looks like a small jug: wide bottom, pot-bellied sides, narrow neck. The best cezve is made of copper with a long wooden handle. Recently, electric Turks have been gaining popularity in Turkey. The older generation does not recognize them: they say the taste is not the same. In traditional Turkish coffee shops, coffee is brewed in copper güğüm vessels. They are similar to a cezve, but are usually larger in volume and topped with a lid.
- Coffee spoon . When brewing Turkish coffee, it is customary to skim off the foam and stir the sugar directly into the cezve. Bring from Turkey a spoon with a long handle, decorated with beautiful carvings. Additionally, you can purchase a measuring spoon to accurately calculate portions.
- Coffee couple . Consists of a saucer and a cup no larger than 150 ml. Extended sets include a tall glass or ceramic glass. The most expensive sets for serving Turkish coffee include silver cup holders and a carved saucer for serving Turkish delight.
- Coffee . Buy it in specialized stores or supermarkets. If you buy it at the market, choose it in thick factory packaging or jars. The exception is shops that sell freshly ground coffee. For example, in Istanbul, next to the Egyptian Bazaar, there is a famous shop where even locals are willing to stand in line.
- Turkish Delight . In Turkey, you will definitely get a piece of Turkish delight on your saucer. Be sure to bring a box of sweets as a gift for coffee lovers or for making a drink at home. Turkish coffee becomes even more delicious with Turkish delight.
How to drink Turkish coffee correctly
Turkish coffee is not usually served in large mugs. The standard volume of the drink does not exceed 150 ml. If you order türk kahvesi in Turkey, they will bring you a cup and saucer with a piece of Turkish delight on it. Definitely with a glass of water.
The first step is to cleanse your taste buds. One or two sips of water will be enough. At this time, the coffee will have time to “breathe” a little. The excess grounds will settle to the bottom.
It is correct to drink Turkish coffee a little at a time. You need to savor every sip. You can put a piece of Turkish delight in your mouth. Sip the coffee and you will feel the delicious sweetness. It will spread in the mouth, enveloping the palate and tongue.
After a serving of coffee, you can drink the remaining water. It will not only freshen the oral cavity, but also preserve the whiteness of your teeth.
Before traveling to Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya and other cities, check out our list of the best Turkish sweets. With this list, you won’t be confused about what to drink coffee with in Turkey, and at the same time decide what gifts to bring to your loved ones.
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