If you've ever been asked "plain or spiced?" when ordering Turkish coffee and paused because you weren't sure how to answer — you're not alone. It sounds like a simple question, but there's a real difference in taste, preparation, and even occasion behind it.
What is Plain Turkish Coffee?
"Plain" (sada) is Turkish coffee in its purest form: roasted beans, ground to an extremely fine powder, with nothing added but sugar if you like it sweet. The flavor rests entirely on the quality of the beans and the roast level — from a lighter, brighter roast to a deeper, slightly bitter one. If you want to taste the coffee exactly as it is, with nothing masking it, plain is your answer.
Try Classic Turkish Coffee from Nazim and explore a few roast levels to find your favorite.
What is Spiced (Mehaweg) Turkish Coffee?
Spiced Turkish coffee follows the same idea, with a signature blend of aromatic spices added — most commonly cardamom, sometimes with rose petals or nutmeg — either ground in with the coffee or added during brewing. The result is a cup with more layers: warmth and depth from the spices sitting on top of the base coffee flavor, without overpowering it when the ratio is right.
Blends like our Spiced Turkish Coffee and Laila Blend are built specifically to balance the strength of the coffee with the warmth of the spice.
Does the Brewing Method Change?
Not really. The method is identical either way — finely ground coffee, cold water, a slow simmer in the cezve. The only difference is that the spice blend goes in with the spiced version before it hits the heat (or comes pre-ground in the mix, as with Nazim's spiced products). There's no extra complexity if you want to try it for the first time.
So How Do You Choose?
- Love a pure, clean coffee flavor and appreciate the details in a good roast? Go plain.
- Prefer a warmer, richer cup — the kind that feels made for hosting? Spiced will suit you.
- Not sure yet? The Plain Bundle and Spiced Bundle are the perfect way to try two blends side by side and decide for yourself.
There's no single "right" answer here — Turkish coffee was always meant to be brewed the way that suits you. Try both, and you'll know which one earns a permanent spot in your cup.
