A Turkish coffee pot is arguably one of the world’s oldest coffee-making methods. Its design and use date back to the 16th century during the reign of the mighty Ottoman Empire, one of the longest-lasting dynasties in the world’s history.
The Turkish coffee pot is traditionally called cezve (pronounced jez-veh) or ibrik. It’s a long-handled pot that brews rich and highly caffeinated Turkish coffee. If you are a hardcore fan of a thick, strong-tasting, and flavorful cup of joe, a Turkish coffee pot is a good investment for brewing just that.
Learn more about how it works and how you can use it to make Turkish coffee with the same traditional methods practiced for centuries.
What Is a Turkish Coffee Pot?
Turkish coffee pot
The device is specially designed to make Turkish coffee. The coffee maker comes with a small pot for holding ground coffee, a pouring lip, and a long handle, which works together to brew flavor-filled coffee full of Turkish history and culture. The pot is typically made of copper, but if you prefer stainless steel, ceramic, or silver, your options are available in the market.
That said, how do you use a simple object like the Turkish coffee pot to make a high-quality cup of joe with complex flavors you love? How does it work?
How Does a Turkish Coffee Pot Work?
In the modern era, where you can literally get your morning shots at the push of a button on a coffee machine, a Turkish coffee pot uses a unique, centuries-old method. It’s famous for being a special method of making strong-tasting coffee.
Using the pot to brew your daily dose of joe is pretty straightforward. First, ground your beans into fine powder. Next, combine the finely-ground coffee beans with water inside the Turkish coffee pot. Then, heat the mixture for a few minutes to produce crema— a frothy foam that forms when making coffee. Ensure the mixture doesn’t boil—stop heating just before it starts boiling.
Voila! Your coffee is ready to serve. When serving, pour the brew plus the coffee grinds into cups. Don’t filter. Not filtering results in a highly concentrated and caffeine-rich coffee. Instead, wait for the coffee grinds to settle at the bottom of the cup before drinking the brew.
You can serve unsweetened Turkish coffee if you want to enjoy the natural flavors of the beverage. But if you prefer sugar and spices like cardamom in your Turkish coffee, add them to the mixture (beans + water) before brewing.
Why Use a Turkish Coffee Pot?
You can get your daily shots on the go with an automatic espresso machine—why use a Turkish coffee pot instead?
The truth: There’s something special about a Turkish coffee pot. For one, it’s an opportunity for hands-on coffee-making—you take full control of the process. So when you enjoy your daily cup of joe, you can be proud that you tapped into the complex flavors by yourself.
Second, a Turkish coffee pot is a unique brewing method. The preparation, the timing, and the ‘magical’ taste that ends up in your cup make Turkish coffee worthwhile. The making process, the resulting intense flavor, and the thick texture make Turkish coffee famous.
Apart from the brew quality of a Turkish coffee pot, the coffee-making method is rich in history and culture that dates back several centuries. In the modern world, using traditional brewing methods that go back hundreds of years in human history means RARE—who doesn’t want to stand out?
Additionally, Turkish coffee pots are highly affordable. You don’t have to dig a hole in your pocket or break your bank account to get one and enjoy the strong flavor of Turkish coffee. In short, you spend less without compromising on coffee quality.
What’s the Best Material for a Turkish Coffee Pot?
As mentioned, Turkish coffee pots come in many forms, including copper, stainless steel, ceramic, and silver. Copper pots are popular because of their even heating. It’s a fine practical conductor that requires low to moderate heat for the best brewing results. Additionally, the material is durable; it can last for years with little-to-no maintenance.
As popular as copper is in cookware and utensils, is the material safe? Can you use it without worrying about copper leaking into your coffee when brewing? According to MedlinePlus, uncoated copper cookware can cause toxicity when the metal enters your food.
To avoid this risk, the inner linings of copper cookware are coated with another metal to reduce contamination risk. Common coatings in copper Turkish coffee pots include tin and nickel to prevent traces of copper from escaping into your coffee.
How to Choose the Right Turkish Coffee Pot
With plenty of options out there, what should you look for in a Turkish coffee pot to get the best out of your money? Considering specific things makes it easier to choose the right pot and start using an ancient technique of brewing Turkish coffee.
Pick the Right Body and Handle Material
Copper is arguably the best build quality of a Turkish coffee pot. Because it’s an excellent heat conductor, the pot can easily and quickly get hot or cold. This simplifies temperature control when brewing. Just ensure the inner lining of the Turkish coffee pot is coated to avoid potential copper contamination.
Other materials include zinc, aluminum, and stainless steel—they have pros and cons. So if you decide copper is not the ideal body material, consider the perks and downsides of other options.
What’s more, the handle of a Turkish coffee pot matters. You want a durable and heat-resistant handle. Wooden and brass handles are common in Turkish coffee pots.
Consider Brewer Capacity
How big do you want your Turkish coffee pot to be? The traditional coffee-makers are available in various sizes ranging from one to six servings and taken as shots (2–3 ounces per shot). It’s common sense not to get a six-serving Turkish coffee pot if you will only need two servings at a time (and vice-versa). Get a brewing device that suits your daily serving size.
Read Online Reviews
This is especially true when buying online. Check what satisfied and upset users say about a Turkish coffee pot to understand what to expect before spending money. Eventually, you decide to get the right product for your hard-earned money.
Compare Turkish Coffee Pots from Different Sellers to Get the Best Value for Your Money
List down several pots that meet the qualities you’re looking for. Then, narrow down your choice based on one or more of the following: price, durability, online reviews, and recommendations from people you know.
When using the price to evaluate different pots, understand that the cheapest is not always the best value for your money. In fact, it can be the opposite. Therefore, it’s best to choose the most affordable without compromising quality.
Must You Have a Turkish Coffee Pot to Make Turkish Coffee?
A Turkish coffee pot is not the only way to make Turkish coffee. Some automatic coffee makers can be used instead. However, you won’t get the exact intense taste and texture as it is with a Turkish coffee pot. Plus, you won’t be involved in coffee-making as with the traditional method.
You will still get Turkish coffee using an automatic Turkish coffee machine. But you will have used a different traditional method other than what has been practiced for hundreds of years in making Turkish coffee.
The pot is rich in history and culture. It’s a unique way to get hands-on with your coffee and be proud that you fully control the brewing process.
Turkish Coffee Pot—Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can You Buy a Turkish Coffee Pot?
Wondering where to buy a Turkish coffee pot? This coffee maker is available on popular online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. Don’t forget to read reviews and compare prices from different sellers. Go for affordable and high-quality.
Why Are Turkish Coffee Pots Made of Copper?
Copper is an excellent heat conductor. As a result, a copper pot allows low and evenly spread heat, which is ideal when brewing Turkish coffee. Copper is also relatively durable and is simple to care for, making a Turkish coffee pot stand the test of time.
Are Copper Turkish Coffee Pots Safe?
They are safe as long as they have an inner lining that prevents copper from reacting with coffee (which is acidic) and contaminating your drink. Common lining materials for copper cookware include tin and nickel.
Which Finely Ground Coffee is Stronger Turkish or Espresso?
Turkish coffee made from the traditional pot is arguably stronger than espresso. Espresso is made by passing steam through finely-ground coffee beans. However, the finest coffee grounds are used in brewing Turkish coffee. Plus, these grounds will not be filtered—they’ll remain suspended in the drink, making it thicker and stronger in taste than regular coffee and espresso.
Do You Put Milk in Turkish Coffee?
No milk is needed when making Turkish coffee. The traditional brewing process of a Turkish coffee pot will form a foam on top of your cup of joe. So you don’t need milk.
Sources
- https://www.baristahustle.com/lesson/6-01-the-history-of-the-cezve/
- https://www.coffeemagazine.co.za/blog/1/5046/ancient-turkish-brew-the-cevze
- https://www.lavazzausa.com/en/recipes-and-coffee-hacks/turkish-or-cezve#:~:text=A%20cezve%20consists%20of%20a,copper%2C%20gold%2C%20or%20silver.
- https://www.nescafe.com/in/turkish-coffee#:~:text=The%20roots%20of%20Turkish%20coffee,his%20own%20personal%20coffee%20makers.
- https://www.kodasail.com/post/2019/01/28/turkish-coffee-and-why-its-so-famous#:~:text=Derived%20from%20the%20Arabica%20bean,methods%20of%20preparation%20and%20service.
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turkish-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
- https://saki.us/blogs/coffee/what-is-a-turkish-coffee-pot-cezve
- https://delishably.com/beverages/How-Are-Coffee-and-Espresso-Grounds-Different
