Turkish coffee vs. Ethiopian coffee: which one should you pick for your caffeine kick?

As a coffee enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of trying many different types of coffee worldwide. And when it comes to Turkish coffee and Ethiopian coffee, both have unique qualities that make them stand out. Turkish coffee is thick and strong with high caffeine content. On the other hand, Ethiopian coffee is known for its lighter and fruitier taste, with its beans grown in the birthplace of coffee itself. Despite having both coffees severally, I’m always torn between them. In this post, you’ll learn the differences between these coffees and much more, so stick around.

What are the differences between Ethiopian coffee Vs. Turkish coffee?

Features	Ethiopian Coffee	Turkish Coffee
Ingredients	Arabica coffee beans with spices.	Finely ground coffee beans without spices.
Taste profile	Fruity, floral, and slightly spicy.	Strong, bitter, and bold.
Caffeine content/nutritional value	Less caffeinated (40-60mg of caffeine per cup).	More caffeinated (60-100mg of caffeine per cup).
Availability/ Accessibility	Widely available	Widely available.
Roast level	Lighter roast.	Darker roast.

Ethiopian coffee Vs Turkish coffee – How they compare.

What it’s made of (ingredients)

Ethiopian coffee is typically made with Arabica beans and brewed with spices and herbs, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, to add an extra layer of flavor to the coffee. The spices used can vary depending on personal preference, but they are typically added to the boiling water along with the coffee grounds to infuse the coffee with the flavors of the spices.

Turkish coffee, on the other hand, is made with finely ground coffee beans and typically does not include spices or herbs. The coffee is brewed with sugar and water in a pot. The sugar is added to the coffee to balance out the bitterness of the coffee and can vary in quantity depending on personal preference.

In this category, Ethiopian coffee is better as it incorporates other ingredients for more flavors.

Taste profile

Ethiopian coffee is known for its fruity and floral flavor profile, which is a result of the Arabica beans used to make the coffee. Ethiopian coffee is typically brewed with spices and herbs, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, which add an extra layer of flavor to the coffee. The coffee is generally lighter in taste and has a smooth and well-balanced finish. The fruity and floral notes of the coffee are more pronounced in Ethiopian coffee compared to other types of coffee.

On the other hand, Turkish coffee has a stronger and bolder flavor profile. The coffee is thick and has a creamy foam on top, which adds to the overall taste and texture of the coffee. The intense flavor profile of Turkish coffee is due to the strong concentration of coffee grounds used in the brewing process.

In this category, both coffees are equally good, as taste is subjective.

Caffeine content/nutritional value

Turkish coffee is known for its high caffeine content, as it is made with finely ground coffee beans and boiled with sugar and water to produce a strong and concentrated coffee. On average, a typical serving of Turkish coffee contains about 60-100 milligrams of caffeine, which is higher than the average serving of other types of coffee.

Ethiopian coffee, on the other hand, has a lower caffeine content compared to Turkish coffee, with a typical serving containing about 40-60 milligrams of caffeine. The lower caffeine content of Ethiopian coffee is due to the lighter flavor profile of the coffee, which is produced by the use of Arabica beans and the addition of spices and herbs to the coffee.

Regarding nutritional value, both drinks contain low calories and no carbs, fats, or proteins.

Under caffeine content, Turkish coffee is better as it’s more caffeinated.

Availability/ Accessibility

Both Ethiopian and Turkish coffees are widely available in coffee shops and specialty stores, as well as online. The availability of each type of coffee may vary depending on the location, but both can be easily purchased for home or office use. However, it can be more challenging to find Turkish coffee than Ethiopian coffee in some parts of the world.

Regarding availability, Ethiopian coffee is better as it is easier to find compared to Turkish coffee.

Roast level

Ethiopian coffee is typically roasted to a medium or medium-light roast level, which allows the unique flavor profile of the coffee to shine through. The lighter roast level of Ethiopian coffee highlights the bright and fruity notes in the coffee, as well as the spicy and floral undertones. The lighter roast level also helps to preserve the caffeine content of the coffee, making it a good choice for those who are looking for a moderate caffeine boost.

Turkish coffee is typically roasted to a dark roast level, which produces a robust coffee with a rich, full-bodied flavor. The dark roast level of Turkish coffee brings out the deep, earthy notes in the coffee, as well as the smoky and bittersweet flavors that are characteristic of Turkish coffee. The dark roast level also increases the caffeine content of the coffee, making it a good choice for those who are looking for a strong caffeine boost.

In this section, both Ethiopian and Turkish coffees are equally great, as the better roast type heavily relies on preference.

Ethiopian coffee Vs Turkish coffee – A Comparison Overview

Ethiopian coffee Overview

Ethiopian coffee is widely regarded as some of the finest coffee in the world, and it is the birthplace of Arabica coffee. Ethiopian coffee is typically roasted to a medium or medium-light roast level, which highlights the bright and fruity notes in the coffee, as well as the spicy and floral undertones that are unique to Ethiopian coffee. Some popular varieties of Ethiopian coffee include Yirgacheffe, Harrar, Sidamo, and Limu.

Ethiopian coffee is known for its bright and fruity flavor profiles, which often have notes of citrus, berry, and floral. It is also known for its tea-like body and balanced acidity, which make it a versatile coffee that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Ethiopian coffee is also widely available in coffee shops and specialty stores, as well as online, making it an accessible option for coffee lovers worldwide.

What I liked;

• The unique, light, fruity, floral, and complex flavor profile.
• Bright and fruity notes.

What I didn’t like;

• Inconsistent quality

Turkish coffee Overview

Turkish coffee is made by finely grinding coffee beans and boiling them with water in a cezve, a small pot. Turkish coffee is typically roasted to a dark roast level, which produces a robust coffee with a rich, full-bodied flavor. The dark roast level of Turkish coffee brings out the deep, earthy notes in the coffee, as well as the smoky and bittersweet flavors that are unique to Turkish coffee. This type of coffee is known for its strong, bold flavor profile and high caffeine content, making it a popular choice for coffee lovers looking for a strong caffeine boost. Turkish coffee is traditionally served with sugar, and it is widely available in coffee shops and specialty stores, as well as online, making it an accessible option for coffee lovers around the world.

What I liked;

• Strong and bold flavor profile.
• High caffeine content.

What I didn’t like;

• It can be pretty bitter.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Ethiopian coffee Vs Turkish coffee

Ethiopian coffee is better due to its easy availability, diverse palate, and bearable, smooth, and fruity flavors. Ethiopian and Turkish coffees have unique and distinct flavor profiles. Ethiopian coffee is known for its bright and fruity notes, while Turkish coffee is known for its strong, bold flavor profile. However, If you’re looking for a coffee with a unique and complex flavor profile and a medium or medium-light roast, Ethiopian coffee may be the right choice for you.

FAQ SECTION

Which one tastes better between, Turkish coffee and Ethiopian coffee?

The taste preference of Turkish coffee versus Ethiopian coffee is subjective and depends on personal preference.

Which is more affordable between, Ethiopian coffee and Turkish coffee?

Ethiopian coffee is more affordable as it’s easier to source.

Is Ethiopian coffee more popular than Turkish coffee?

Both kinds are equally popular among coffee enthusiasts, but overall, Ethiopian coffee is more famous.

Which one has a rich flavor between, Turkish coffee and Ethiopian coffee?

This is subjective. Turkish coffee has a rich, robust, and bitter flavor, while Ethiopian coffee has a rich, fruity, and floral flavor.

Which one is higher in acidity between Turkish and Ethiopian coffee?

Ethiopian coffee has a higher acidity compared to Turkish coffee.

Which one has a smooth texture between Turkish and Ethiopian coffee?

Turkish coffee typically has a thick foam on top, giving it its smooth and light texture.

Which one is organic between Turkish and Ethiopian coffee?

Both coffees are organic, but sometimes, the spices added to Ethiopian coffee may not be organic.

Is Ethiopian coffee better than Turkish coffee?

This heavily depends on personal preferences.

Is coffee from Ethiopian coffee stronger than Turkish coffee?

Turkish coffee is stronger than Ethiopian coffee, with almost 40mg more caffeine per cup.