How Many Types of Greek Coffee Are There?

If you’ve ever walked into a Greek café and been handed a tiny cup of thick, unfiltered coffee with a layer of fine grounds at the bottom, you might have wondered: what just hit my spoon? Greek coffee isn’t like espresso or cappuccino—it’s something entirely its own, with distinct preparation, presentation, and flavor profiles. But how many kinds are there, and how do you tell them apart?

In short: Greek coffee is commonly served in three sweetness levels—Skaito (bitter, no sugar), Metrio (slightly sweet, 1 tsp sugar), and Gligi (sweet, 2 tsp sugar). It’s always brewed unfiltered using ultra-fine coffee grounds and a special metal pot called a briki.

What Is Greek Coffee, Really?

Greek coffee isn’t your typical filtered drip or espresso-based drink. It’s a thick, strong brew made by boiling finely ground coffee in a small metal pot known as a briki. Unlike espresso or American coffee, it’s not filtered—so when you’re done drinking, a layer of coffee grounds settles at the bottom of the cup. That’s completely normal, and part of the experience.

How Greek Coffee Is Made: The Briki Method

To make Greek coffee, you need:

• Ultra-fine coffee grounds (finer than espresso)
• A briki (a small stainless steel or brass pot)
• Sugar (optional, depending on taste)
• Cold water

The process is straightforward but specific:

1. Measure cold water into the briki—usually one demitasse cup per serving.
2. Add sugar to taste (none for Skaito, 1 tsp for Metrio, 2 tsp for Gligi).
3. Add the finely ground coffee, but do not stir yet.
4. Heat the briki slowly over medium heat. Do not stir once heating begins.
5. Watch closely as the coffee rises and begins to foam. Just before it boils over, remove it from the heat.
6. Pour the coffee slowly into cups, making sure the foam is distributed evenly.

The coffee is served unfiltered, so the fine grounds remain in the cup—and yes, you will drink some along with the liquid. Let the grounds settle, and sip carefully.

Why Greek Coffee Tastes Different: No Filter, No Milk

Greek coffee is never served with milk or cream. It’s always black. The absence of filtration means you’re consuming the full coffee essence—including micro-grounds that contribute to its body and texture. The coffee is also never served with any kind of milk froth or ice, unless you’re having a fredo (which is a separate, iced milk coffee not covered here).

Flavor-wise, the coffee has a distinctive profile: slightly syrupy, with a mild acidity and a gritty mouthfeel. The grounds at the bottom create a naturally fading strength as you reach the end of the cup. The experience is meant to be slow and contemplative.

Three Sweetness Levels of Greek Coffee

Greek coffee is categorized by how much sugar you add during the brewing process. The three standard styles are:

• Skaito: Bitter, no sugar added. For purists.
• Metrio: Slightly sweet, with about 1 teaspoon of sugar. The most common choice.
• Gligi: Sweet, with around 2 teaspoons of sugar. Preferred by those with a sweeter tooth.

The sugar is added at the beginning with the coffee grounds, so it dissolves fully during the boil. This determines not just taste, but also how the coffee foams and brews.

Why You Should Drink Water Before Greek Coffee

A well-prepared Greek coffee service often includes a glass of cold water served alongside the cup. You’re supposed to drink the water first—to cleanse your palate and heighten your taste sensitivity. Only then do you drink the coffee, allowing you to better perceive its subtle acidity, bitterness, and complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Greek coffee and espresso?

Greek coffee is brewed by boiling finely ground coffee in a briki and is not filtered, so coffee grounds remain in the cup. Espresso is a filtered, pressurized shot of concentrated coffee made using an espresso machine. Greek coffee has a thicker body due to the suspended grounds and is always sipped slowly with the grounds settling at the bottom.

Do you drink the coffee grounds in Greek coffee?

Yes. The coffee is unfiltered, so fine coffee particles settle at the bottom of the cup. It’s normal to consume some grounds while drinking, though you stop when you reach the bottom. The texture is part of the traditional experience.

What is a briki and how is it used?

A briki is a small metal pot, usually stainless steel or brass, used to boil Greek coffee. You combine water, sugar (optional), and ultra-fine coffee in the briki, then heat it until it nears boiling and forms foam. It’s removed from heat just before overflowing and poured into cups.

What are the three types of Greek coffee by sweetness?

The three styles are: Skaito (bitter, no sugar), Metrio (slightly sweet, 1 tsp sugar), and Gligi (sweet, 2 tsp sugar). The sugar is added with the coffee and ground together before brewing, affecting both taste and foam.

Why is Greek coffee served with water?

A glass of cold water is served first to cleanse your palate. Drinking it before the coffee helps you better taste the coffee’s subtle flavors, including its slight acidity and bitterness, making the experience more enjoyable.

Is Greek coffee the same as Turkish coffee?

Greek and Turkish coffee are very similar and often considered regional variants of the same style. Both are unfiltered, made with finely ground coffee in a small pot, and served with grounds in the cup. Differences are mostly cultural or in preparation details, not in the fundamental method.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Greek-Style Brewing

While Greek coffee uses its own unique grind and brew method, fans of its bold, unfiltered character may enjoy trying FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for its bright acidity and floral notes, or FrontStreet’s Classic Blend for a balanced, medium-bodied profile reminiscent of traditional Mediterranean flavors. For something deeper, the FrontStreet Black Cocoa Blend offers a rich, slightly sweet foundation that aligns with the Metrio or Gligi sweetness levels. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.