What is Mirra Coffee and How to Make It?

Do you know there is a coffee which is circulated among guests and in case you don't do so you have to fill the cup with gold?

Yes! You heard that right!

This is not a movie scene but indeed a tradition in the provinces of Turkey. And the drink here is a Turkish drink - Mirra Coffee!

In this, I will be telling you about Mirra coffee including what it is and how to make it.

So without waiting any more, let’s get started.

What is Mirra Coffee?

Mirra coffee is a traditional Turkish coffee loved by coffee lovers all over the globe.

It is not just a coffee but it's a cultural experience that has been practiced and passed on for generations. It is known for its rich flavor, strong aroma, and the traditional way of preparation and serving.

The word Mirra itself is derived from the Arabic word Mur which means bitter. As the name itself says, this coffee is very bitter.

To make this bold coffee, Arabica beans are roasted twice to make it more bitter. The grind size best for use is grainy.

How Mirra Coffee is Made?

Mirra coffee is brewed using dried coffee cherry husks. These cherry husks are called cascara.

Cascara is the outer part of the coffee cherry that people consider as waste and throw it while harvesting coffee beans.

Thus, to save these husks from wasting and to take them into use, they are collected, dried, and  Mirra coffee is made using them.

If you talk about flavors this coffee is a delightful blend of fruity, floral, and bold flavors that will make you crave more of it.

How to Make Mirra Coffee?

Ingredients used

• 2 tablespoons finely ground Italian roast arabica coffee beans
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 2 teaspoons of sugar[as per taste]
• ¼ cup water[at room temperature]
• Fine mesh sieve

Apparatus

• Cezve
• Coffee grinder

Steps to make it

Step 1

Take a cezve and add water, cardamom, and sugar to it.

Step 2

Once done, let it boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once it reaches a boiling point, carefully add fine-ground Italian roast arabica coffee into it.

Step 4

Once it's foamy enough, remove the ibrik from the heat and let the foam sit for a few seconds.

Step 5

Return the ibrik to the heat and repeat the same process around three more times.

Mirra is boiled several times until the finest dark liquid is left. It is very thick in consistency.

You can find it brewed in the Hatay, Adana, Urfa, and Mardin provinces of Turkey. Some Arab countries like Lebanon and Syria also savor this traditional drink.

How to Serve It?

Mırra coffee is mostly served in another copper cezve.

The serving starts with a server filling the cup halfway and handing it to the guest.

The guest then drinks it and returns it to the server, then again the server fills it halfway and another guest drinks it and returns it to the server for the next guest.

As the cup circulates all the guests return it to the server after finishing their drink.

Let me tell you an amazing fact about this serving tradition.

If anyone fails to do so as per the tradition, they must fill the cup with gold, or either marry the person serving or help them get married.

If the server is a woman then they might have to buy her dowry. Sounds weird! But this is truly a tradition.

Wrapping up

That's all for this exploration. I hope now you know what Mirraa coffee is and how you can brew it at home.

If you're curious about savoring traditional authentic drinks with bold flavors then this one is a must-try. It's a straight walk to Turkey streets in a cup.

Most people say that it's best enjoyed slowly and savored, so put your tasks aside, brew your Miraa coffee, and sip it slowly.

Moreover, with the use of coffee cherry husks, Mirra coffee gives a new life to an overlooked ingredient and yields a unique taste experience. This makes it unique.

Have you ever tried any other Turkish drink?

FAQs

1) How is Mirra coffee different from regular coffee?

Mirra coffee stands apart from regular coffee due to its distinct flavor profile. While regular coffee has a rich, bitter taste, Mirra coffee offers a great combination of fruity, floral, and herbal flavors. It provides a coffee experience that is a treat for coffee lovers looking for something unique.

2) Can you add milk to Mirra coffee?

Yes! You can. If you want to cut down the bitterness, you can cut it down with the milk. It complements the natural flavors of the cascara and creates a wholesome cup of Mirra coffee. Feel free to experiment with different milk options like almond milk, oat milk, or even traditional dairy milk to find your perfect combination.