Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan's coffee culture is nascent compared to its deeply entrenched traditions of tea drinking (especially green tea, gok chai). While coffee is available, it's primarily an urban phenomenon, centered in the capital Ashgabat, and catering more to a modern, international, or affluent local clientele. Coffee beans are entirely imported, making it a luxury item for most of the population.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Turkmenistan and what's in them:
Commonly Available & Everyday Coffees:
Instant Coffee (Растворимый кофе - Rastvorimyy kofe): This is the most widespread and accessible form of coffee in Turkmenistan, found in homes, offices, and smaller, local eateries.
What's in it: Instant coffee granules dissolved in hot water. It's almost always served with options for sugar and milk (often powdered milk or UHT milk/creamer) to be added to taste. 3-in-1 sachets (coffee, sugar, creamer) are also very popular for convenience.
How to order: "Растворимый кофе" (Rastvorimyy kofe) is the common Russian term, widely understood. In Turkmen, it would be "ergin kofe" (ergin coffee), but Russian terms are more prevalent for coffee ordering. You'd then specify "с молоком" (s molokom - with milk) or "без молока" (bez moloka - without milk), and "с сахаром" (s sakharom - with sugar) or "без сахара" (bez sakhara - without sugar).
Turkish Coffee (Türk kofesi / Турецкий кофе - Turetskiy kofe): Due to historical and cultural ties with Turkey and the broader Middle East, Turkish coffee preparation is known and offered in some places, particularly in establishments with a Turkish influence.
What's in it: Finely ground coffee beans are boiled directly in a cezve (or turka, a small pot) with water, and often sugar. It's served unfiltered in small cups, allowing the fine grounds to settle at the bottom. It's a very strong, concentrated brew.
How to order: "Türk kofesi" (Turkmen) or "Турецкий кофе" (Turetskiy kofe) in Russian.
Black Coffee (Гара кофе - Gara kofe / Черный кофе - Chernyy kofe): Simple brewed black coffee.
What's in it: Hot water with coffee, without milk or creamer. Sugar would typically be offered on the side.
How to order: "Гара кофе" (Gara kofe) in Turkmen or "Черный кофе" (Chernyy kofe) in Russian.
Coffee with Milk (Сүтли кофе - Sütli kofe / Кофе с молоком - Kofe s molokom): A straightforward coffee with milk.
What's in it: Brewed coffee (or instant) combined with hot milk.
How to order: "Сүтли кофе" (Sütli kofe) in Turkmen or "Кофе с молоком" (Kofe s molokom) in Russian.
Modern Cafe-Style Coffees (Primarily in Ashgabat):
Ashgabat, with its rapidly modernizing infrastructure and growing number of international visitors and a segment of the local population with disposable income, has seen the emergence of modern cafes. These cafes cater to a more international taste and offer a range of espresso-based drinks. You'll find cafes that might remind you of European or Russian establishments.
Espresso (Эспрессо - Espresso): A concentrated shot of coffee, the base for many other drinks.
Americano (Американо - Amerikanoh): Espresso diluted with hot water.
Cappuccino (Капучино - Kapuchino): Espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of frothed milk.
Latte (Латте - Latte / Кафе Латте - Kafe Latte): Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Common variations like:
Raf Coffee (Раф Кофе - Raf Kofe): A very popular creamy, sweet coffee drink originating from Russia, and found in cafes across the former Soviet bloc, including Turkmenistan.
What's in it: Typically an espresso shot blended with cream (often 10-20% fat cream) and vanilla sugar/syrup, all steamed together to create a smooth, velvety, and sweet beverage.
How to order: "Раф Кофе" (Raf Kofe).
Flavored Lattes: Such as Caramel Latte, Vanilla Latte, etc. (though selection might be limited compared to other countries).
Mocha (Мока - Moka / Мокко - Mokko): Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (syrup or powder), often topped with whipped cream.
Cold Brew (Колд брю - Kold bryu): While less common, some more contemporary cafes might offer this. Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate.
Iced Coffee (Совук кофе - Sovuk kofe / Холодный кофе - Kholodnyy kofe / Айс Кофе - Ays Kofe): Generally hot-brewed coffee served over ice, often with milk and sugar.
Iced Latte (Айс Латте - Ays Latte): Espresso poured over ice and topped with cold milk.
Frappe (Фраппе - Frappe): Blended iced coffee drinks, often with ice, milk, syrup, and sometimes whipped cream.
Ordering Tips:
Language: Russian is significantly more useful than English for ordering coffee in Turkmenistan, especially outside of the most upscale or tourist-oriented establishments in Ashgabat. While Turkmen is the national language, Russian terms for coffee are widely understood.
Sweetness: As in many Central Asian countries, a preference for sweeter beverages is common. Sugar will usually be offered on the side, but if you want less sugar in a pre-mixed drink (like a Raf), you might need to specify.
Availability: Beyond Ashgabat, your coffee options will be very limited, predominantly instant coffee. High-quality espresso-based drinks are a luxury largely confined to the capital.
Price: Due to its imported nature, cafe coffee in Turkmenistan can be relatively expensive, reflecting its status as a more upscale or modern beverage.
The coffee scene in Turkmenistan is gradually expanding, primarily driven by modern trends in the capital, offering a taste of international coffee culture alongside the pervasive traditional love for tea.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.