Turkish coffee is more than just a hot beverage; it’s a cultural experience steeped in tradition and flavour. Its rich, robust flavour palette calls for the right food pairings which complement its unique characteristics. As Turkish coffee connoisseurs, we understand what it takes to make the perfect cup and what to pair alongside it. In this article, we will be giving you our top pairings, including what chocolate works best and what traditional sweet treats you should not be ignoring.
Pairing Your Turkish Coffee With Traditional Turkish Delights
One of the best ways to enjoy your Turkish coffee is pairing it with some traditional Turkish snacks. We would highly recommend drinking a warm cup of coffee alongside Baklava or Lokum (otherwise known as Turkish Delight). Baklava is a traditionally sweet and flaky pastry which is made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts and honey. This classic combination helps to bring out the richness of the baklava which compliments the boldness of the Turkish coffee – sounds like the perfect match to us!
Turkish delight is another one of our favourite pairings. Whether you fancy Rose Turkish Delight, lemon or even pistachio, we can guarantee that the Turkish Delight will have a subtle sweetness and delicate texture that will be ideal to pair with a strong cup of Turkish coffee.
Traditional Sweet Pastries and Turkish Coffee
There is a range of traditional sweet pastries that combine perfectly with Turkish coffee, including Künefe and Simit. Künefe, in particular, is a warm, syrup-soaked dessert which is made from shredded phyllo dough and cheese. This is an extremely popular choice in Turkey, due to its sweet, yet slightly savoury nature. When paired with a Turkish coffee, this pastry really shines and both of their flavour profiles come together in a tasty combination.
Simit on the other hand is bagel, with a sesame-crusted bread. This treat is a lot less sweet, but still works extremely well with a Turkish coffee. Many pair their Simit with a dollop of clotted cream or jam, to make the combination that little bit sweeter.
Fresh Fruit And Turkish Coffee
Looking for the perfect morning snack? Turkish coffee goes well with a range of fresh fruit, including berries. A handful of fresh berries, such as raspberries and blackberries, can add a refreshing and tangy element to your coffee experience. Berries and other stone fruit can offer a lighter, healthier sweet coffee pairing option. The tartness from these fruits will brighten up the palate between sips. However, top tip: We would recommend avoiding high intensity sour tones such as lemon or lime!
Another fruity pairing we love is dried figs. Dried figs also have their own natural sweetness which works wonderfully with the intense flavour of Turkish coffee. Dried figs are typically chewy, with a deep, honey-like taste. This means that it can provide a delightful counterpoint to the coffee’s bitterness.
Does Turkish Coffee and Chocolate Go Well Together?
Yes – it does! We love pairing our Turkish coffee with pieces of high-quality dark chocolate in particular. Dark chocolate with high quality cocoa content can enhance the flavour of Turkish coffee and bring out all the subtle flavours. With its slight bitterness and richness, the dark chocolate actually mirrors the coffee’s own profile, making it one of the most luxurious pairings.
On a similar note, pairing chocolate-covered espresso beans also works wonderfully. Chocolate-covered espresso beans are a very fun and indulgent choice, as they have a similar flavour profile but offer that fun crunch.
