What Is Armenian Coffee? The Origin & Brewing Method

Armenian coffee is one of the more intriguing varieties in the worldwide coffee market. Both the history and the flavor are so fantastic.

Are you a true coffee enthusiast? You’ve been missing out if you haven’t tried this drink. What is Armenian coffee?

It’s time to delve into this article to learn about its origin, taste, and brewing method. Let’s scroll down!

What Is Armenian Coffee?

Armenian coffee is a brew made with measured water, optional sugar, and coffee beans ground so finely that they resemble practically powder.

When making this coffee, you must put all ingredients in the Jazzve, a unique traditional coffee pot. After that, cook it over the heat until the crema emerges and rises.

Are the beans used in Armenian coffee grown in Armenia? No! Most of the coffee beans that baristas use are from Colombia.

Armenian coffee is made from coffee beans that have been roasted more extensively than other types.

Even the most discerning coffee enthusiasts will like Armenian coffee, which has a more potent and richer flavor.

If you don’t like strong coffee, this beverage may not be your favorite since its flavor is robust, like Turkish and Greek coffee.

However, you can’t go wrong with this brew if you prefer something robust. Have you experienced this drink? Give it a shot! You’ll want more of this tasty and distinctive drink.

Traditionally, people serve this coffee with buttery Armenian pastries, which makes its flavor more lovely and enjoyable.

If you serve this coffee to your guests, offering them some liqueurs or brandies is a good idea.

Otherwise, you can serve this brew with Baklava, a delicious dessert made with filo pastry layers, filled with nuts, and topped with honey or syrup.

What Is The Origin Of Armenian Coffee?

An interesting fact about Armenian coffee is the beans used to make this brew aren’t cultivated in Armenia. How did this beverage get its name?

An Armenian trader established the first cafe shop in several regions of Europe in the seventeenth century during the Ottoman Dynasty.

However, the coffee beverage originated in Ethiopia and different areas in Europe, including Armenia.

In addition, Armenian business people founded the first cafe shops in Paris and Vienna.

Depending on Armenian culture, there are several techniques for brewing delicious coffee.

The ancient Armenian method of brewing coffee is distinctive and quite effective in the final coffee taste pitch.

The coffee recipe adds a lovely accent to its fragrant roasted beans by utilizing a unique coffee pot.

Armenians are credited with being the first to introduce coffee to the globe, though the beans are neither cultivated nor originated there.

Is Armenian Coffee The Same As Turkish Coffee?

Although Armenian and Turkish coffee can share several characteristics, like the caffeine content and the beans, they are not the same.

Armenian and Turkish people prepare and serve their coffees differently. Moreover, the history of their coffee is not similar.

First, Turkish coffee, prepared from Arabica beans with delicate, powder-like unfiltered ground, is highly robust.

On the other hand, Armenian coffee is created with measured water, added sugar, and nearly powder-like finely blended coffee beans.

Besides, the way baristas make the two coffees are different. Finely ground beans, water, and occasionally sugar are mixed to make Turkish coffee.

However, baristas fill espresso cups with cold water (2 oz.) and pour it into a traditional pot to prepare Armenian.

Furthermore, the way you serve these coffees is different. For instance, before enjoying Turkish coffee, people often drink a glass of water. After that, they often serve this beverage with lokum (Turkish delight) or Baklava.

That said, it’s a tradition to serve Armenian coffee with a pastry like a gata or choreg (Armenian Easter Bread).

If you are curious about how people make Turkish coffee, you can watch this video:

What Does Armenian Coffee Taste And Look Like?

Armenian coffee is ideal for caffeine enthusiasts who want a strong and bold flavor in a tiny cup.

Its crema is lighter than espresso. Also, it is unfiltered, so it has slushy residues on your cup’s bottom.

Flavor

The taste notes may vary depending on the type and location of coffee grounds you choose to use.

Besides, the roast levels of Ethiopian, Colombian, and other beans, including light, medium, and dark, will change the taste of your coffee.

Aroma

Armenian coffee’s rich, vivid fragrance may engulf your kitchen and enchant your senses.

It shouldn’t have any other smell, much less burnt. Overboiling is likely the cause of a charred odor you might detect.

Moreover, Cardamom will provide a flowery flavor to your drink if you want to add it.

Viscosity

The coffee is generally smooth, boasts a robust flavor, and doesn’t have a harsh aftertaste. Its flavor is more evenly balanced when you add sugar.

It would be best to wait until the grounds have settled to your cup’s bottom after adding unfiltered water to empty glasses before drinking.

Crema

Armenian coffee is well-known for having a rich crema, most strongly influenced by the brewing process.

You may create a rich, dense crema that does not evaporate after it is put in your cup by stirring it as soon as it begins to bubble.

Keep stirring while the traditional pot gets the proper temperature, which will help your drink to form a dense crema.

How To Make Armenian Coffee?

You can’t go wrong with Armenian coffee if you want a potent beverage. Learning how to brew this drink takes a little longer, but the process is enjoyable. Let’s keep reading to get the best traditional brewing method!

Preparations

Before making an Armenian coffee cup, ensure the following things are ready to use:

• Armenian Coffee Pot: 1
• Spoon: 1
• Cup: 1
• Finest ground coffee: 1 teaspoon
• Water: 2 oz
• Sugar & Cardamom (optional)

The traditional Armenian coffee pot is called Jazzve. It’s round with a wider bottom, a handle, and a spout to pour water.

Family heirlooms include Jazzve pots. They frequently have engravings of Lamassu. If you can’t afford or find this traditional pot, it’s possible to use a small saucepan.

The espresso-style demitasse cups are commonly used in Armenia. These cups contain two to three fl oz of coffee and are nearly half the diameter of a standard coffee cup.

Using a spoon with a long handle would be best to stir your pot. Plus, a coffee blender is unnecessary since you can purchase finely ground coffee grounds.

Keep in mind that it requires finer grinding than ordinary espresso. It should appear like coffee powder instead of grits.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Below is a detailed guide to making Armenian coffee. Let’s take a closer look!

Step 1:

Pour cold water into an espresso cup. After that, pour this water into the traditional coffee pot.

Avoid using hot water and other liquid to make this beverage.

Step 2:

Add finely ground coffee (1 teaspoon) to the Jazzve pot. If you want your drink to be sweet, adding a bit of sugar is a good idea.

Combine the ingredients by stirring them.

Step 3:

Turn on the stovetop on medium heat. Place the pot over it. To prevent a boil-over, keep a constant watch on your pot.

Step 4:

If you want to give the flavor a spicy kick, add Cardamom to an empty cup and wait until you’ve finished brewing your coffee.

At this point, the coffee starts to rise and develop bubbles around the edges. Avoid allowing it to boil over.

Step 5:

Remove your Jazzve pot from the stovetop quickly. Stir it. After that, put it back over the heat while keeping a careful eye on it.

Repeat these steps 1 – 2 times before completely taking the pot from the stovetop.

Step 6:

Remove your Jazzve pot from the stovetop. Pour your coffee gently into a cup to avoid ruining the crema.

Enjoy your cup of traditional Armenian coffee.

Extra Tips For Making & Serving Armenian Coffee

If it’s your first time making this unique coffee, consider the tips below to have a perfect cup.

• Avoid using Espresso coffee. The coarse ground beans can’t offer the actual taste of this beverage.
• Don’t serve with cold or hot milk. Using milk instead of water is possible, but remember to follow the instructions strictly.
• The crema on top is essential for achieving the best results. It will be easier to preserve the thick foam on top if you gently pour the drink into your cup. The crema may be lost if you over boil the beverage.
• Stop drinking after you see a sludgy layer at your cup’s bottom. Turning the cup over to let the sludge drip down the edges is customary in Armenia. After a specific time, lift the cup to check for any symbols that may appear.
• Drink this coffee gently and take in the entire scent. Only after a particular occasion does coffee in Armenia get served.
• Armenians serve this drink with pastries such as chorek, gata, and nazook.

FAQs

Wrapping Up

What is Armenian coffee? It’s a unique drink made with measured water, optional sugar, and coffee beans that are ground so finely like powder.

To make this beverage at home, you must have a pot called Jazzve. Add ingredients and water to this pot and bring them to a boil.

Are you really into robust coffee? You can’t say no to Armenian coffee due to its strong flavor and vibrant aroma.

Hopefully, you can make a cup successfully with our tips. Thank you for reading!