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The most simple of all coffee makers. The "briki" is generally a copper pot with tin plating on the inside that is spun into a narrowing taper towards the top of the rim where the spout is, the handle is secured to the pot by pressed rivets.
Today brikia are also made of stainless steel and also baked enamel.
The "Briki" produces a very earthy/muddy liquor but quite pleasant with a thick layer of coffee oil floating on the surface. The measured cup quantity of water is placed into the briki and pulverised coffee and sugar to taste are added into the water. The ingredients are gently mixed until they dissolve and the pot is then heated on a stove top. As the mixture heats up the flavour, body and aroma start developing. The mixture continues to extract all the essential solids as the temperature continues to rise. The oils start to rise to the surface and the water level also rises, once below the rim the pot is removed and the coffee is served. The oils which float to the top of the coffee are called "kamaiki". The art is to serve the coffee with kamaiki in each cup. Avoid letting the coffee boil as this will stew the richness and leave a heavy charred unpleasant taste.
The "Briki" consists of basically one part:
Brewing Method
Greek coffee is ordered as "Pikro" bitter ie: no sugar, "Metrio" medium sweet ie: 1 sugar per demitasse cup or "Gliko" sweet ie: 2 sugars per demitasse cup.
- Place desired amount of demitasse cups full of cold water into briki.
- Add 1 heaped teaspoonful of pulverised Mocha Coffee Greek Style or Minas-Santos blend per cup into briki.
- Add sugar if desired.
- Gently stir ingredients until dissolved and place on low heat on stove top with handle facing away from heat source.
- Let mixture heat slightly and re-stir and leave on heat source.
- As the coffee rises to the rim the oils build up and fold together, at this point remove from heat source and serve ensuring you evenly pour the kamaiki in each cup.
Cleaning: Wash coffee pot thoroughly with mild soap and avoid abrasive scourers as the tin plating will become damaged.
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