You may be familiar with popular types of Greek cuisine, such as souvlaki and gyros. These dishes enjoy great popularity all over the world. Perhaps less familiar, though, is Greek coffee. Just what is it about this exquisite beverage that sets it apart from the standard cup of java? The team at Yia Yia’s- Homemade Greek Food in New York, NY, is here to explain the complexities of this mouth-watering drink.

Flavor trumps everything else when it comes to enjoying a great cup of coffee. It isn’t any different for the Greek recipe, which is nearly always consumed black. In other words, milk and cream are relative foreigners to the Greek coffee connoisseur’s palate. The flavor is rich, with a depth that develops after it’s left to sit for some time. The beans are roasted at a particular temperature, lending Greek coffee its unique taste.

If you’re a Greek cuisine aficionado, you may already own a few key pieces in your own kitchen, including a “briki.” This is a steel pot with a long handle that is traditionally used to prepare Greek coffee. The process begins by filling as many coffee cups as needed with water. The water is then poured into the pot, followed by a large teaspoon of Greek coffee for each cup of water. Finally, the matter of sugar comes into question: should you have it “sketos,” (with no sugar), “metrios,” (with a teaspoon of sugar per teaspoon of coffee), or “glykos,” (extra-sweet coffee containing two teaspoons of sugar per single teaspoon of coffee.)

The pot is then placed on a gas burner and heated on a medium-low setting. The liquid is stirred continuously until it has completely dissolved and foam develops at the top. Just before the coffee comes to a boil, it’s removed from the stove and served. The difference here is in the foam—it’s a very important element that completes the traditional cup of Greek coffee to perfection.

Another difference between this special addition to Greek cuisine and the traditional cup of coffee is in the grounds that settle at the bottom of the cup. Most can only sip up to a certain level in the cup before the grounds begin to overwhelm the palate.

Pairing a cup of Greek coffee with a delicious plate of souvlaki or spinach pie is a great way to serve up authentic Greek cuisine. Stop by Yia Yia’s- Homemade Greek Food to enjoy your favorite meal in a bright, clean, and inviting setting. Visit the restaurant’s website to view their menu, and call (212) 545-1210 today.