Make traditional Armenian Coffee (Soorj) at home using my easy step-by-step recipe. You will not be disappointed, I promise (vegan, gluten-free).
Jump to:
- About Armenian Coffee
- History Of Armenian Coffee
- Ingredients
- How To Make Armenian Coffee
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pro Tips By Neha
- You Might Also like
- Recipe Card
About Armenian Coffee
Armenian Coffee, traditionally known as “Soorj” is a beautifully brewed coffee that has a unique method of crafting and is loved by coffee connoisseurs.
This is a must in every Armenian household and you can find many small stalls selling this coffee on the streets of Armenia.
Some people say that this coffee is an acquired taste, but although I haven’t grown up drinking this beverage, I loved it the first time I had a sip.
This coffee is made in a special pot known as “Jazzve” or “ibrik”. You will find it in any Middle Eastern grocery store even on online portals like Amazon. Look for Armenian Coffee Pot or a Turkish Coffee Pot.
Drink this coffee in the morning to kick start your busy day or in the evening to calm yourself after a hectic day.
This recipe is vegan and gluten-free. I used a jazzve (300 ml,10 oz) fit for making 2 cups of coffee but if you are looking to make more cups in one go, then use a bigger pot.
Armenian style coffee is served in espresso cups, so make sure you have them with you.
Here are some more coffee recipes that you can try at home
- Nutella Coffee
- Oreo Cold Coffee
- Chocolate Cold Coffee
- Iced Horchata Coffee
- Cafe Style Cold Coffee
- Mexican Mocha
- South Indian Filter Coffee
- French Press Cold Brew
- Vietnamese Coffee
History Of Armenian Coffee
This beverage has a long history dating back to the early 19th century.
It is believed to have originated in the Eastern regions of the Ottoman Empire, specifically in the area that is now modern-day Armenia.
The coffee was traditionally brewed in a small pot called a “jezve” or “ibrik” and served strong and black, often with sugar or spices added.
The coffee culture in Armenia was an important social tradition, and it was common for families to gather around the coffee pot to share news and stories.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Armenian coffee, both within the Armenian community and among coffee lovers around the world.
Ingredients
This coffee recipe needs just 3 ingredients – finely ground coffee, sugar, and green cardamom.
Buy the finest coffee powder to make Armenian-style coffee. You can also get your choice of coffee beans and grind them to a fine powder using a coffee grinder.
I like to use a mix of dark and medium roast, half and half but you can use any roast that you like.
Sugar is optional, but you can add the quantity as per your taste.
Cardamom is also optional but highly recommended as it adds a distinct flavor and aroma.
How To Make Armenian Coffee
Add 4 oz (½ cup) of cold water to a 10 oz (300 ml) Armenian or Turkish coffee pot.
Add 2 heaping teaspoons of finely ground coffee, 1 teaspoon sugar (optional), and 1 crushed green cardamom pod to the pot. Don’t stir.
Turn your stovetop on medium heat and place your coffee pot over the heat.
Note – Keep a close eye on the pot to make sure the coffee doesn’t boil over. A boiled-over Armenian-style coffee is no good.
The coffee will begin to form bubbles on the edges and rise in some time. Don’t let it boil over!
As soon as you see bubbles and coffee simmering on the sides of the pot, remove the pot from the heat quickly, and wait for 6-8 seconds.
Tip – You can use a kitchen cloth to hold the handle if it gets hot.
Return the pot back to the stovetop and let the coffee rise again. Remove the pot again from heat.
Repeat this process one more time before completely removing it from the heat.
Gently pour the coffee into 2 espresso cups. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Tips By Neha
Finely ground coffee powder is a must to make this coffee. If you can’t find it, grind your own using a coffee grinder.
The correct pronunciation of “jezve” is “yez-vay”.
Do not let the coffee boil, otherwise, you will not get the crema (foam) on top.
When you are done sipping the coffee, you will find coffee solids settled at the bottom of the cup. You are supposed to discard the.