Is it possible to resist the subtle aroma of freshly brewed coffee gracefully poured into a coffee cup? There is a special magic in this process that has enchanted millions of lovers of this drink. To make coffee delicious, you need to have the preparation technology, choose high-quality varieties of beans and have some skills. Another important point that affects the quality of the drink is the coffee pot.
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Publication from Tea and Coffee in Almaty (@gutenberg_almaty) July 9, 2018 at 10:55 PDT
The cezve (the real name of this vessel, translated as “burning coal”) is presented in different variations of shapes, volumes and materials, each of which has its own characteristics of preparation. To know how to choose the right Turk for brewing coffee and what the right Turk is, read the recommendations about their types and distinctive qualities.
Criteria for choosing a coffee turk
To choose the right coffee pot in an online store or a specialized department, critically evaluate its volume, shape, and handle. Compare all the parameters with your needs and habits.
Requirements for the shape of the cezve
The Turkish shape helps control the brewing time of coffee and preserve its aroma and taste. The golden rule of Turkish cooking is: the diameter of the neck of the cezve should be half the diameter of the bottom .
A larger difference is welcome, a smaller one is not. The requirement has a clear explanation - the narrow neck does not allow valuable essential oils to evaporate from the vessel. When cooked perfectly, a foam forms in the neck area, acting as a kind of plug that prevents contact with air.
With the correct difference between the bottom and neck, the walls will be inclined. The tilt helps the coffee grounds sink to the bottom, which improves the taste of the drink. The bottom should be thick; the thicker it is, the more uniform the heating.
For beginners, experienced coffee brewers recommend choosing tall Turks, because in them the boiling process is slower than in wide and low ones. In a tall vessel, it is difficult to miss the moment when the cap (foam) rises as it approaches the boiling point.
To carefully pour coffee into a cup without damaging the foam, you need a funnel - a small spout. Take a closer look at the shape of the funnel; it should not be too narrow, otherwise the delicate foam may collapse. If you are left-handed, choose a model with two spouts on different sides.
The correct size of container for brewing coffee
Connoisseurs know that it is better to prepare coffee for one cup, maximum - two . Hence the second important rule - the volume of the Turk should hold no more than 120 ml, which is enough for a coffee cup of 50-80 ml. If you like to drink coffee in 150-200 ml cups, then choose larger containers, but remember that you cannot prepare half a portion in a Turkish coffee pot.
For two servings you need a container of 200-350 ml, for three – 300-450 ml. Larger containers should not be considered, since it is unlikely that you will be able to prepare real coffee with foam in it. It is better to buy two small cezves and prepare the portions separately.
Secrets of a comfortable handle
A comfortable handle in a Turk is a must, because during the process of brewing coffee you need to remove it from the stove and return it to it several times. The handles are always slightly raised, but in some models they are almost vertical.
High-raised handles are found on Turks, suitable for brewing coffee on sand, but they can also be chosen for the stove. It’s easy to recognize a barbecue coffee maker by its very long handles, but you can also buy one for your home if you like it.
In metal coffee makers, the handles are either solid metal or with handles made of non-heating materials - wood or thermoplastic. In professional copper models, the handles are always copper or bronze. Of the two types of fastening metal handles (solder or bolts), it is better to choose bolts . The solder may break. An alternative option is a removable handle (screwed or inserted).
If the handle is wooden, then it should be well secured. Wood tends to dry out and swell, so if there are no rivets, the handle will begin to wobble, and in the worst case, it will fall out and the Turk will end up on the floor or on the slab.
In ceramic and fireclay cezves, it is better if the handles are cast and hollow inside .
This way they will never become loose and will not get too hot due to the emptiness. In metal Turks, the wood should not be located too close to the body, otherwise there is a risk of burning.
What can replace Turk?
If suddenly the Turk is not satisfied with one quality or another, then you can purchase the following items for brewing noble essence:
An electric Turk is a cone-shaped device with a built-in heating element at the base. To prepare an invigorating liquid, first add ground powder to the device and then plug it into a power outlet. Turka will heat the drink until ready. Most models are equipped with additional functionality:
- Auto shutdown;
- Variety of modes;
- Insert flask and other useful features.
A geyser coffee maker is a device designed for steaming a noble potion. The device has a compartment for grain powder and two compartments: lower and upper. The coffee maker, like the cezve, interacts with the hob. The water, heating up, flows from the lower compartment into the upper compartment, through the coffee compartment.
A French press is a small glass teapot with a spout and lid. Inside, the design consists of a mesh and a piston. Ground grains or tea leaves are placed under the mesh, then the raw material is poured with hot boiling water and allowed to brew. After the drink reaches the required consistency, the piston with a mesh is lowered to the bottom to retain particles of grains or tea leaves.
These devices are specially designed to make coffee preparation easier. But real, strong espresso with a velvety taste and aroma is obtained only in a Turk.
Options for metal turks
The choice of material determines the coffee brewing time and its strength. In metal vessels, cooking is faster, while in ceramic vessels the process takes longer. It is important to consider that the longer a coffee drink is brewed, the more intense it becomes. And it’s not just about the taste and aroma, longer cooking releases more caffeine.
Advantages and weaknesses of copper
More than half of coffee ceremony lovers claim that the best coffee pot is a copper one. Copper cookware is suitable for cooking on gas and electric stoves, as well as for cooking on sand using special equipment or improvised means. Why is copper so popular among coffee lovers?
There are several reasons for this:
- Flexibility - copper can be used to create a vessel of the desired shape of any complexity.
- High thermal conductivity - heats up quickly and evenly, which contributes to proper heating of the water inside.
- Cools quickly - it’s easy to regulate the preparation by periodically removing the coffee from the stove so that the foam does not rise.
- Resistance to high temperatures - does not melt on a gas stove, even if you get distracted and forget about cooking. Suitable for sand and charcoal grills.
- Durability - withstands loads and falls on a tiled floor.
However, copper is too soft a metal, so dishes are rarely made from it in its pure form. Strength and hardness are provided by additives.
Turks for brewing coffee are made from thin and thick copper , of different types and using different technologies:
- Stamping is an inexpensive segment, production is automatic. The bottom is made thicker and the neck narrowed. A stamped coffee maker always has a weld seam. It is important that it is of high quality, otherwise oxidation cannot be avoided.
- Forging - products are obtained in one piece without seams or rivets. The bottom is always thicker than the walls, often made of several sheets of metal.
- Forging with overlay embossing - the inner part is made of one smooth sheet, and the outer part is made of another, pre-decorated with embossing. As a result, the inner surface is smooth and does not cause problems in maintenance.
Despite all the advantages of copper cookware, it tends to oxidize, so direct contact with food should not be allowed. There must be a protective coating . In budget models it is made of food-grade tin or stainless steel, in more expensive ones – from silver. The silvering of the inner surface gives the vessel additional value.
In online stores and shopping centers you can buy copper cezves made in Russia, India, Turkey, and Armenia. The Armenian coffee pot is considered the best in the copper line, since the production technology involves double walls . Craftsmen take two sheets - with decor (chasing, forging, engraving) and internal ones - and forge thick-walled dishes from them.
The price of Turks for handmade coffee from Armenia starts from one and a half thousand, but they are worth it, as they are real works of art. For a gift, it’s easy to choose a coffee maker with a themed inscription or design.
Inexpensive Turkish cezves made from copper are thinner because they are designed to be cooked in the sand rather than on the stove. Turks made of thin copper often look sloppy and flimsy.
Shiny copper coffee makers are beautiful only in the first months. If you want more practical cookware, choose a Turk with a patina effect or with a darkened embossing for daily coffee brewing. These retain their decorative properties longer.
Features of brass Turks
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Other metals are also added to brass in small quantities: iron, tin, aluminum. Brass coffee pots are similar to copper ones in appearance and properties, but they are thicker-walled and harder.
Some sellers pass off brass utensils as copper, despite the fact that copper is much more expensive. To avoid mistakes, take a closer look at the color. Copper is more red, and brass is yellow. The more zinc, the yellower the shade.
Advantages of brass cezves:
- affordable price;
- good thermal conductivity;
- variety of shapes and volumes.
Brass is harder than copper, but more brittle , so be careful not to drop or knock it. It is important to consider that with rare use there is a risk of oxidation of the tin-coated internal walls. The brass Turk is more suitable for frequent use.
Bronze coffee makers and their features
Bronze is an alloy of copper with tin or aluminum; the metal is not cheap, but durable and resistant to corrosion. The color of bronze utensils varies from yellowish-golden to silver. The more additives in copper, the lighter the alloy.
Bronze Turks for brewing coffee have lower thermal conductivity than copper ones. They take longer to heat up and take longer to cool down. Therefore, you need to get used to it so that the coffee does not run away, since cooking will continue even after removal from the stove.
Coffee makers are not made from bronze on an industrial scale, but they are made by small enterprises and artisanal craftsmen. To choose high-quality and safe utensils for brewing coffee, inspect the seams and the inner surface - everything should be sanded and polished.
Why coffee lovers are against steel
Steel coffee turks are unpretentious and easy to maintain. Stainless steel is not afraid of temperature changes, does not emit harmful substances and does not in any way affect the taste and aroma of the drink. And one more plus - steel cookware is ideal for induction cookers. However, no coffee connoisseur who respects himself and his guests will buy a steel cezve.
Steel has one significant drawback - it is impossible to make a vessel of complex configuration from this metal. Take a closer look at the stainless steel cezves - they all have a wide neck . And if you carefully study the requirements for the shape of the Turks, you understand that the neck should be narrow.
In addition to chrome-plated stainless steel, there are carbon steel coffee makers coated with enamel on sale. True coffee lovers don’t even look in the direction of such a Turk - both the shape does not match and the volume is large. Another disadvantage is that the liquid in an enamel coffee maker heats up unevenly, so the drink turns out tasteless.
In order not to write off enamel pots at all, we recommend them for boiling water for instant coffee. You can also brew herbs or tea in such a container. You can’t boil milk, it will burn.
Disadvantages of inexpensive aluminum Turks
Aluminum coffee pots are inexpensive, so they attract attention in the store first of all. But don’t rush to go to the cash register, this cezve has a lot of weaknesses:
- Irregular shape - aluminum will not make a classic Turk with a wide bottom and a narrow neck. Light weight makes the cookware unstable.
- Aluminum is a porous material, so the Turka absorbs the aromas of the drink and preserves them. This is not always good if you brew different types and types of coffee.
- Too high thermal conductivity contributes to rapid and uneven heating of the contents. This means that the golden rule of preparation is violated - good coffee takes a long time to brew.
- Aluminum does not like interaction with acids, and coffee has a high content of various acids. As a result, the drink acquires an unpleasant metallic taste, and the dishes darken and become unattractive.
The line of aluminum coffee makers includes models with non-stick coating. In this case, darkening and absorption of the aromatic coffee oil are prevented. But a wide neck still spoils the picture. It is better to buy a coated aluminum cezve for making coffee drinks, but not for real oriental coffee.
Practicality and luxury of a silver cezve
A luxurious silver Turk can be given as a gift for a silver wedding or as a gift to a person who has everything. A silver cezve has no practical advantage; rather, it is an element of luxury that requires careful treatment and special regular care.
Products made from high sterling silver (960, 925) are expensive and are more often used for interior decoration and gifts. Most coffee turks are made from alloys 800 and 825. Affordable coffee makers are only silver on the outside, with copper or brass hidden inside.
Oxidized products are more decorative and less difficult to care for. This kind of silver is dark and does not turn black in the air. It cannot be cleaned or washed with any solutions intended for uncoated jewelry.
You should not expect healing properties from coffee made from a silver cezve, since the preparation time is too short for the water to be saturated with beneficial ions.
Types of Turks for coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks all over the world. On different continents, different peoples have their own traditions and cooking secrets. The type of Turks is also different, of which there are several dozen today. They are different in material, shape, principle of operation and operation. The main criterion for distinction remains the material used to make the vessel, which directly affects the quality characteristics of the cezve. Let's take a closer look at the main types of Turks, what materials they are made of, their advantages and disadvantages.
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Options for metal turks
Metal Turks are the most common due to such metal properties as high thermal conductivity, strength, durability and wear resistance. In the production of this product, many different metals and their alloys are used, each of which has its own special characteristics:
Cezves made of other materials
In addition to metals, clay, ceramics, glass and quartz are used to make coffee Turks. The assortment is huge - from everyday to designer models.
Why clay is attractive
The clay pot is suitable for brewing coffee on all types of stoves, except induction. The material used for production is fireclay - fireproof clay, which is fired in ovens until it loses its plasticity. Products are covered with glaze or simply polished.
Clay has low thermal conductivity - it heats up very slowly and takes a long time to cool down. There are both pros and cons to brewing coffee:
- On the one hand, the water takes a long time to heat up, allowing the ground coffee to release all its “juices” and oils.
- But on the other hand, heated walls do not cool down as quickly as metal ones and continue to heat the contents.
Thanks to its special thermal conductivity, clay produces the right coffee pot, the preparation of which is as close as possible to cooking on sand. Fireclay Turks retain heat well, so the coffee stays hot for a long time.
Beginners often run out of coffee, not on the stove, but in their hands. To prevent this from happening, keep a metal spoon chilled in the freezer on hand. At a critical moment , dip a spoon into the coffee , the temperature will instantly drop and the foam will subside.
Clay without glaze is a porous material that absorbs not only moisture, but also odors. Gourmets recommend brewing one variety or similar varieties in a clay coffee maker. You should not prepare flavored coffee, as this aroma may remain and work next time.
A clay cezve will last a long time if you follow the operating instructions. Be sure to use a divider on a gas stove. Do not expose the vessel to sudden changes in temperature. If you do not use the coffee maker for a long time, periodically pour water into it.
Ceramic and porcelain products
A ceramic coffee pot is practically no different in properties from a clay pot, but it contains mineral and other additives that increase the strength and improve the consumer properties of the cookware. The price of ceramic cezves depends on the raw materials and decoration - from 150 rubles to several thousand.
The surface of ceramic coffee makers is coated with glaze, neutralizing porosity. Hand-painted products look original. Turks look stylish with a brown matte surface. Interesting three-dimensional patterns made using the modeling technique.
All ceramic group dishes should not be subjected to sudden changes in temperature, that is, placing them hot on a cold table or pouring cold water immediately after pouring coffee to wash them.
Porcelain is a thinner type of ceramic with low water absorption, obtained by high-temperature firing of high-quality clay with various additives. Porcelain coffee pots are made from heat-resistant porcelain . They are very beautiful and elegant.
Unusual figured coffee makers are created from porcelain with outer walls in the form of animals, chess, geometric and other figures. The inside walls are always smooth and inclined. In color they come not only white, but also in other shades, including black.
Are glass coffee makers worth buying?
Stylish clear glass cezves are popular among owners of glass-ceramic stoves. Glass Turks are made of heat-resistant glass, so they can be safely placed on the stove, protected from the flame with a divider. Glass has significant advantages:
- Practicality - does not darken, does not rust, does not become covered with plaque, and is easy to clean.
- Inertness – does not absorb odors and tastes, does not oxidize.
- Transparency – it is convenient to observe the cooking process.
- Functionality - you can brew coffee with water or milk, with chocolate or honey, nothing will burn or stick.
But don’t rush to think that this is the best Turk for making coffee. Thin glass walls promote rapid boiling , which makes the cooking process short-term. If you cook it too quickly, the essential oils do not have time to release, so the drink is not as tasty and aromatic. To counteract this drawback, experts recommend adding more ground coffee.
Most cezves made of heat-resistant glass have a wide neck that releases the valuable aroma out. When choosing, look for models with a narrow neck. Most often, this line is dominated by volumes from 350 ml, so it is not advisable to buy for one serving.
Glassware requires careful handling and does not tolerate temperature contrasts. It cannot be heated without liquid, as some recipes recommend. If you brew coffee five times a day, it is better to have such a cezve as an additional one.
Turks from mountain quartz
Quartz Turks for making Turkish coffee appeared not so long ago, so they still cause distrust and surprise. It is based on specially processed mountain quartz , which is not afraid of heat. The material allows you to give the products any shape, so the coffee makers come out as they should - with a narrow neck.
In appearance, a quartz cezve is similar to a crystal one. But quartz is not afraid of high temperatures and changes in temperature, like crystal. This beautiful mineral has antiseptic and healing properties, which brings it closer to silver.
Rock quartz cookware heats up as quickly and evenly as copper, and retains heat like ceramics or clay. Transparent Turk is a godsend for beginners. Through the walls you can observe the rise of the foam and control the process.
Quartz cezves look very original, they are ideal for gifts, romantic evenings and everyday use. The line includes volumes for one or two cups. The handles are made hollow to reduce heat.
How grinding affects the taste of the drink
The degree of grinding determines how long it will take to prepare the coffee. Thus, fine, medium and coarse grinding are distinguished:
- Small. Finely ground coffee is very similar to flour. The most suitable method of preparation is brewing in a Turk. 3-4 minutes is enough for small particles to impart all their taste and aroma to the drink.
- Medium and large. In this case, it will take a little longer to prepare the coffee. As a rule, the drink is prepared using a coffee maker or coffee machine.
When choosing a grind, you should carefully study the information on the packaging. Manufacturers usually indicate which cooking method is suitable for a particular product.
Selection tips for different types of slabs
The debate about which coffee pot is better - copper, ceramic or steel - will never end. The reason is not only that each locality has its own methods of preparing the drink, but also different types of stoves. And if some materials are more suitable for an electric stove, then others are needed for gas burners.
For a gas stove, you can safely choose any metal coffee maker - copper, steel, brass, bronze. But a beautiful decorative coating can get burned, so you shouldn’t put a designer cezve on the fire, use a flame spreader without holes.
With a flame diffuser for gas, you can also buy a Turk made of heat-resistant ceramics, clay, porcelain, glass. If you want something unusual, choose a transparent quartz cezve. It has been proven that quartz is not afraid of flames, but it is better to be on the safe side.
for glass-ceramic hobs, but make sure that the bottom is even and smooth. You can get several cezves for different occasions and recipes. It is best to brew coffee on the edge of a large burner, moving the handle beyond.
A coffee Turk for an induction cooker must be made entirely of steel or have a ferromagnetic bottom . When choosing, pay attention to the compatibility of the model with an induction cooker. Another option is to purchase an adapter for an induction surface. There are special small circles for coffee.
If you have an old-style electric stove , then choose a metal cezve so that you can place it on a heated surface without risk.
The best Turk for making coffee on sand is a thin-walled copper one. You can also choose brass or bronze. It is better not to consider other materials. It is important here that the handle is vertical, because the entire body needs to be immersed in hot sand.
How to choose a Turk and what should you pay attention to?
When choosing a kitchen assistant for preparing a noble elixir, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
- Volume.
If one cup of morning coffee is enough, then you can buy a small 100 ml cup. For two to three people, a 350-500 ml cezve is suitable.
- Form.
Manufacturers, in order to attract attention to their products, present many forms of vessels for steaming espresso. However, a properly executed cezve should have a wide bottom and a narrow neck. The wide bottom helps the liquid warm up quickly. The narrow bell retains the formed foam, preventing it from splashing out. The essence, clogged with foam, acquires valuable taste qualities.
- Pen.
The handle of the vessel should be long enough to fit in your hand. It is better to select a cezve with a heat-insulating handle to avoid injury. The removable handle function will allow the Turk to be stored compactly along with other dishes and easily washed.
You can get recommendations and advice on choosing a device from sellers who specialize in selling cookware. The consultant will tell you in detail about the properties and qualities of the product you like. When purchasing, you should request a certificate of conformity to avoid purchasing a low-quality product.
Minor details that you might not think you should pay attention to make the process of making real coffee easier.
General recommendations for selection
If, after studying the theory, you still haven’t made your choice and don’t know which Turk is best to buy for brewing coffee on the stove, then use these general tips.
If you have never brewed coffee in a cezve, choose a tall metal one (copper or brass) with a narrow neck. This will increase the likelihood that the foam will not escape. It is also good to learn how to brew coffee in transparent quartz Turks, observing the internal processes.
To get a tasty and rich drink on the stove, buy a ceramic, porcelain or clay Turk. In such dishes you get a “sand effect”. If you plan to cook different varieties, then clay without glaze will not work. It is more correct to have a separate cezve for flavored types. Remember that in ceramics it is more difficult to control the cooking.
To make coffee with milk, it is better to get a glass coffee maker. It is also suitable for various experiments with chocolate, juices and other additives. A quartz cezve is suitable for these tasks, but its price is several times higher.
To choose a high-quality Turk, carefully inspect it outside and inside, make sure the integrity of the body and coating. It is especially critical to inspect handicraft products sold at fairs and market stalls.
Proper care of cezves
There is always a thin film of coffee oils on the inner surface of metal, clay or ceramic utensils for brewing coffee. There is no point in trying to remove it. It is best to wash the vessel in plenty of warm running water with a soft sponge, without detergents or even abrasive substances.
This is especially true for metal vessels with a protective coating inside. You should also not use aggressive agents outside; it is recommended to wipe with dishwashing gel and rinse thoroughly. It is enough to completely wash the vessel from coffee grounds and remove carbon deposits from the outside. After washing, the dishes must be dried and stored in the cupboard until next use.
It’s not enough to choose wisely; you also need to brew coffee correctly in a Turk on the stove. Optimal grinding, proportions of water and coffee, as well as brewing time and the best recipes are discussed in a separate article.
Review of interesting Turks from online stores
We do not take responsibility for rating Turkish coffee and choosing the best one, but just want to show you some interesting options.
The stylish “Moskovskaya” pot made of heat-resistant porcelain with a wooden handle is suitable for gas and electric stoves. The model is presented in different volumes. Made in Russia.
The original white copper cezve with a long handle is suitable for stoves and cooking on sand. Volume – 120 ml, for one or two very small coffee cups.
A good gift is a silver-plated copper pot on a tray with a long coffee spoon. The handles are made of wood that is resistant to moisture and swelling. Silver coating protects against oxidation and absorption of fragrant oils.
A 120 ml miniature Turk with “Grapes” stamping is suitable for everyday use. The bottom is thickened due to an additional sheet. Made in Pyatigorsk.
The “Tete-a-Tete” set for making coffee on sand includes two copper Turks for one cup, a container for sand, a long coffee spoon, fine cleaned sand and a spatula for mixing it. . There are the same sets for four servings.
This new product on the coffee market will appeal to those who love coffee on sand, but don’t want to buy bulky sets with stands. Inside the thickened bottom of this copper Topteas Turk there is fine sand , which provides the same gradual heating, the desired temperature and long-term cooling. The grains of sand do not crumble and take up little space. Volume 400 ml. This coffee lover's dream is produced in Armenia.
Steel Turks GiPFEL for induction cookers are made of stainless steel. The manufacturer took care of a narrower neck and inclined walls. The heat-insulating handle does not heat up during the cooking process. The set includes three cezves of different volumes from 170 to 680 ml.
It will not be difficult to find even more different models in online stores. Give preference to factory-made products or handicrafts with a good reputation.
Now you can imagine how to choose a coffee pot correctly and without mistakes, all that remains is to decide on the model and make a purchase. And if it’s difficult to settle on the best one, buy two or three. In the household of a coffee lover, everything is useful!
Shape and size
The classic shape of a vessel for brewing coffee: a wide bottom, a narrow neck, an expanding foam container and a long handle. The specific shape allows ground beans mixed with water to quickly heat up and rise to the neck. The collected “plug” helps to uniformly mix the particles throughout the entire height of the vessel.
Along with the conical shape, there is a cylindrical shape of the vessel. In Arab countries, barrel-shaped coffee ladles are also used. In height, Turks are low and flattened, flat or tall.
Turks bell allows you to stop rising foam in time
A significant role in the design of the vessel is played by the socket for catching the foam - it allows you to set the boiling pot on time on the edge of the stove.
Dimensions:
- 70 – 120 ml – for very strong oriental coffee, for 1-3 persons
- 200 – 220 ml – weak coffee for 1-3 persons
- 220 – 350 ml – weak coffee for 2-5 persons
- 400 – 500 ml – Turk for brewing coffee for 5-7 people
Which coffee to choose
Even connoisseurs of this drink face difficulties associated with selecting the type of grain for its brewing. This is due to the diversity of the assortment.
Coffee producers regularly delight consumers with new products. There is a large selection of coffee with interesting flavor notes - chocolate, nuts, caramel, fruit.
But the classic version of beans intended for cooking in a Turk is Arabica. For reference, it is preferred by more than 60% of gourmets.
Arabica is the most capricious variety of the coffee tree. Due to sensitivity to weather conditions, many countries have abandoned its cultivation.
Variety
This is the basic selection criterion. To brew espresso, you need to select only high-grade coffee fruits. Arabica and robusta are the most popular types of raw materials for brewing this drink.
The first variety, despite its popularity, is considered elite. This is due to 2 reasons. Firstly, the complex process of growing trees, and secondly, the unique sourness.
The taste and smell of Arabica is richer than that of its main competitor, Robusta. But delicious coffee is also brewed from these beans. They have a pleasant chocolate aroma and a bitter taste.
Those who like strong espresso should prefer robusta. But if you want to brew such a drink in a Turk, it is better to use sweeteners, otherwise it will be concentrated.
Arabica contains 2.5 times less caffeine. Therefore, it is better for people suffering from sudden changes in blood pressure to give preference to it.
Region of growth
The taste of the invigorating drink is also determined by the area where the raw materials for its preparation were grown. Today there are coffee tree plantations in:
- India . The taste of hot espresso has a chocolate bitterness. The pleasure is complemented by nutty notes.
- Brazil . Rich nutty-chocolate aroma of the drink, complemented by sweet vanilla.
- Ethiopia . Hints of forest berries, sour aftertaste.
- Kenya . Berry and fruit flavors, wine aroma.
- Honduras . Sweetish-sour taste.
- Indonesia . Pronounced candy aroma with a spicy cardamom scent.
- Cuba . Invigorating chocolate-tobacco note.
Each of these countries has conditions for the ripening of coffee fruits. It is believed that the most delicious variety of coffee is harvested in Brazil. It’s not for nothing that this country is considered the birthplace of an invigorating drink.
Grain grinding degree
Another important factor of choice. There are 3 main types of Turkish coffee grind: coarse, medium and fine. But for this kitchen appliance it is better to select the latter type.
It is recommended to brew delicious espresso from beans that have previously been turned into dust. This production “flour” allows the drink to maximize its aromatic and taste characteristics. In addition, fine grinding is needed to raise fluffy foam, which is an indicator of high-quality coffee.
Roasting coffee beans
The taste of coffee is also determined by the degree of heat treatment. There are 5 types of roasting beans:
- English. The fruits are simmered at high temperature for a couple of minutes. Minimal heat treatment.
- American . Another variety of light roast. This technology involves preserving the herbal aromatic properties of the beans.
- Urban . Medium done. Gives the drink a light “fried” aftertaste.
- Viennese. Ideal for creating strong espresso. During processing, the beans acquire a bright black hue.
- Spanish. Maximum degree of heat treatment. The drink has a rich burnt taste.
To brew good espresso in a Turk, it is advisable to choose Viennese roasted beans. The drink is moderately strong. To “knock down” the rich taste, it is enough to use sweeteners, such as syrup.
What design of Turk is better?
Each user decides this question himself, based on individual tastes. But there are points that you need to remember when choosing the best Turk.
- Dark-colored cezves retain their elegant appearance longer. Even copper Turks are sometimes made with a patina effect so that the darkening that is inevitable over time is not so noticeable.
- The abundance of decorative elements - modeling, appliqués, overlays - may make the Turk more elegant, but makes it difficult to care for her daily. The fewer depressions and depressions on the surface, the easier it is to clean.
- Regular heating can weaken the fastening of applied decors, so it is better to choose a Turk without such elements. The metal surface can be decorated with shallow embossing or engraving, which is easy to clean even when darkened.
Which Turk is better, ceramic or copper?
As often happens, a new product in the business of making real coffee is constantly compared with the most authoritative old-timer - the copper cezve. Holy wars on the topic of which Turk is better, cooler, more effective do not stop. In fact, each option has its own characteristics, which are determined by the physical properties of the material of manufacture.
Copper Turk
- Copper heats up faster and cools down faster due to its higher thermal conductivity coefficient. This property, by the way, allows you to prepare coffee in hot sand. Heating in the Turk stops immediately after it is removed from the heat source.
- The copper Turk absorbs the aroma of the coffee that was prepared in it. Connoisseurs greatly value copper Turks precisely for this quality, which allows them to make each subsequent portion even brighter and more expressive. Moreover, true connoisseurs do not wash, but only rinse copper vessels for coffee, trying to preserve as much as possible the coffee aromas absorbed into the very flesh of the cezve.
- The property of a copper Turk to absorb odor dictates the need to thoroughly wash the cezve in order to remove the aroma and taste of previous experiments.
- Copper Turks are cheaper than ceramic ones, by about 40-50%, and for some models the difference can reach 100%.
Ceramic Turk
- The taste of coffee in a ceramic Turk is pure, without impurities or additions. Ceramic Turks do not absorb odors. Their absolutely smooth walls do not store aromas and tastes.
- Ceramic cezves are easy to clean, so caring for them does not cause any problems.
- Due to the fact that ceramics do not react with air, water and other environments, it is completely safe for health. The trendy term “eco-friendly” can be used here. Biological inertia will not allow harmful microbes or bacteria to build a cozy nest on a perfectly flat surface. These enemies of the human race simply will not have any breeding ground for harmful activities.
- Ceramic cezve is much more inert in reactions - it boils slower and cools slower. If you remove it from the heat a little later than necessary, the drink will continue to boil right over us, and it may well escape.
- Despite a lot of advantages, ceramics has a small but disappointing disadvantage. It breaks easily, especially on modern kitchen floors made of ceramic tiles. An irony of fate, one might say.
IMPORTANT. Ceramic Turk is more fragile than copper, so it must be protected from shock loads. In addition, a hot Turk should not be rinsed with cold water; a large temperature difference can be critical for the integrity of the cezve.
- Having decided to try out a ceramic Turk in action, you should prepare for its price leadership. It will cost at least one and a half times more than a copper vessel of the same volume.
As for aesthetics, as we know, there is no dispute about tastes, but both materials provide rich possibilities for decoration. Copper cezves are decorated with embossing and blackening, and ceramic ones are painted in various, sometimes very unexpected, colors. Recently, there has been a tendency to paint ceramic turks with various patterns. Floral and national ornaments are popular.
Review of manufacturers
Turku can be purchased in supermarkets, specialty stores and small workshops.
The world's largest manufacturer is Ceraflame, a Brazilian company. The dishes from this brand are bright and stylish. The maximum volume of cezves is 650 ml.
The main difference between ceramic products of this brand is that the dishes do not break due to sudden temperature changes.
The Keramist trading house specializes in Turks in a set with cups. The selection is small and very affordable. Dishes with simple colored modeling and signature ceramics. The handles of all products produced by this manufacturer are ceramic. Capacity is standard.
Turks of the Gutenberg trademark from the Wintergreen tea&coffee company made of modern metal ceramics. The handles of the cezves are wooden, and the decor is ethnic motifs made of glaze. The maximum container volume is 500 ml.
Pottery shop - an online store offering handmade Turks, decorated with moldings and colorful decor on a Kuban theme. All products have solid ceramic handles. Product capacity up to 0.5 l
The best quality/price ratio according to the Test Purchase
Experts participating in the Test Buy pilot program, which was released in 2020, evaluated three different types of coffee beans.
Among the criteria: the quality of the beans, the aroma of the ground product and the organoleptic characteristics of the drink brewed immediately after grinding.
According to the tasters, the best coffee beans were those produced by TM PAULIG CLASSIC (Moscow,). Experts chose a mixture of Arabica and Robusta medium roast.
Coffee beans are created only from high-quality varieties grown in different parts of the planet
The opinion of the majority of buyers who took part in the experiment coincided with the experts’ point of view. They were all seduced by the pleasant aroma of the beans and the finished drink, shaded with a pleasant chocolate note.
See also:
7 bagged teas that you can safely buy - rating of the best from a professional
The best varieties
Despite the strength of Robusta and its flavor and aromatic properties, when brewing coffee in Turkish, experts recommend that connoisseurs of coffee drinks choose 100% Arabica coffee, medium or lightly roasted .
The ranking of the best Arabica varieties looks like this:
- Bourbon is a coffee with a slight acidity and a bittersweet aftertaste.
- Maragodzhip – grains with a pronounced bitterness.
- Tarrazu is strong with hints of ripe pear and apricot.
- Mocha – gives a nutty-chocolate aftertaste without sourness.
- Carrar – medium strength with a sweet aftertaste.
Main types of ceramics
The term has Greek roots. It is customary to designate products made of clay and other inorganic materials that successively undergo the processes of firing and cooling. There are two types of ceramics: fine and coarse. The first group consists of porcelain, earthenware, majolica, and stone ceramics. The second group includes pottery ceramics.
There is another classification. It includes carbide, aluminum oxide, zirconium, nitride, etc. ceramics. It is based on chemical compounds involved in the formation of the material.
On a note! You can find various ceramic coffee pots on the market. Some are handmade by craftsmen on a potter's wheel. Others are created on an industrial scale in factories.