Turkish coffee is a rich, aromatic brew that is carefully made in a special coffee pot called a cezve. These attractively engraved coffee makers are usually handmade and crafted from copper or brass. They are small, bell-shaped with a spout and a long handle, designed to make one or two small cups of rich black coffee.
Using a cezve takes patience, since the coffee is made on the stovetop and should be watched careful. Once it’s almost at a boil, the small mouth of the cezve creates a foam that is carefully spooned into a demi-tasse cup. The rest of the coffee is put back on the heat to boil, and is then added to the foam in the cup.
There is no filter; the finely ground coffee with sugar is mixed into cold water in the cezve before it is heated up. Once you have tasted the richness of Turkish coffee made in a cezve, you may never want to go back to your drip machine.
We feature five cezves you can purchase online. Read on to find the one that best suits your needs.
Top Pick Best Gift Set: Volarium Turkish Coffee Pot
You know that preparing Turkish coffee is almost as special as the cezve in which it is made. This has been your morning ritual for years and now you’d like to share the knowledge – and enjoyment – with a friend.
This cezve package includes everything a person needs to start their foray into making Turkish coffee, including a six-ounce package of delicious, finely ground coffee, making it an ideal gift for the coffee lover in your life.
The hammered copper cezve is an authentic-looking lovely small-sized pot made from thick copper, with an interior lined with food-safe, non-toxic tin. The long 4 ¼-inch premium brass handle is engraved and adds a touch of elegance to the cezve.
With a mouth diameter of 2 5/8 inches and a depth of three inches, this cezve will produce a lovely foam and has a 6.7-ounce capacity, perfect for making one or two cups of Turkish coffee.
Finally, to keep the cezve looking its best, this set also comes with copper shining pads, perfectly formulated to eliminate tarnish that is a natural side effect of copper.
Pros:
- Made from hammered copper
- Includes coffee and copper cleaner
- Affordable
Cons:
- Handle gets hot
- Do not put into the dishwasher
Best Overall: DEMMEX 2019-9 Oz Thick 2mm Copper Turkish Cezve
Turkish coffee is served in small demi-tasse cups, and so while most cezves look small and are made for individual use, the different sizes will determine how many cups you can brew at one time. If you enjoy more than one cup for yourself, then you may want to consider this nine-ounce cezve from Demmex.
The beautiful handmade copper coffee pot is elegantly engraved and was made in Gaziantep City in Turkey by specialized and experienced craftsmen. The body of the cezve is a solid two millimeters thick, which makes it durable, long-lasting and an ideal heat conductor. The outside is not lacquered, so it will develop a fine characteristic patina over time, while the inside is lined with safe, lead-free tin.
Measuring 3.5-inches in diameter and 2.8 inches high, the nine-ounce capacity can serve three demi-tasse cups of delicious Turkish coffee with a nice foam, ideal for you alone, or to share with a friend. The long wooden handle adds a touch of old-world charm to the aesthetic, as does the wooden spoon that comes with it.
Pros:
- Made from 2mm thick copper
- Durable
- Exquisite wooden handle
- Tin-lined interior
- Wooden spoon included
- Authentically made in Turkey
Cons:
- Small capacity
Best Large Capacity: DEDE Copper – 2020-IST Series Turkish Cezve
There’s nothing like a strong cup of aromatic Turkish coffee to complement a delicious meal. Smaller-sized cezve pots are perfect for one or two small cups, but if you want to serve a bit of a crowd, then you would benefit from a larger cezve.
This Istanbul (Constantinople) style cezve is handmade in Turkey from a single sheet of copper that has been intricately engraved and hammered for a beautiful aesthetic. The matte finish is fingerprint resistant and the pot’s larger base fits perfectly onto any type of heat source, including electric, gas and ceramic stove tops. The interior is made of a non-reactive tin that doesn’t affect the taste of the coffee.
The pot has a convenient spout, which makes it easy to slowly pour the coffee onto the spooned-in foam in the cup. Measuring 4.2 inches high and 11.5 inches in diameter with a 2.7-inch mouth, this cezve has a 16-ounce capacity. Enough to fill six to seven demi-tasse cups, you can make coffee for you and your guests to enjoy.
This Turkish coffee pot has a detachable wooden handle that not only enhances the overall look, but it won’t get hot like a metal or brass handle will. And this cezve also comes with a seven-inch handmade wooden spoon.
Pros:
- Matte finish is fingerprint resistant
- Made in Turkey from a solid piece of copper
- Detachable wooden handle
- Extra-large capacity
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
Best Basic: Thunder Group SLTCD012 12-Ounce Turkish Coffee Cezve
There’s something really special about making Turkish coffee; it’s almost ritualistic in the care needed to make a perfect cup. You’ve always wanted to try it, but have found the hand-made copper pots are a bit too expensive for your budget.
If you’re just starting out and want to enjoy the aromatic deliciousness of authentic Turkish coffee in your home, then you may want to consider this model from Thunder Group.
Made from rust-resistant stainless steel, this 12-ounce cezve can endure high temperatures without warping. The bell-shaped pot has a small spout for easy pouring and the ergonomic plastic handle ensures an easy and comfortable grip.
NSF approved and dishwasher safe, the cezve measures 3.5 inches high with a diameter of three inches, with a capacity to make three or four demi-tasse Turkish coffees.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Made of durable stainless steel
- 12-ounce capacity
Cons:
- Plastic handle should be kept away from the heat
Best Versatile: Classics Turkish Coffee Pot Borosilicate Glass
If you’re looking for a reliable cezve that is not made of copper or any metal, then you may want to consider this model made from borosilicate glass.
The simplicity of the design of this glass cezve lends itself to the patience needed when preparing authentic Turkish coffee. Resistant to high temperatures and thermal shock, the glass will not absorb any odors, chemicals or residue, giving you a fresh tasting coffee every time.
The cezve measures 3.4 inches high, three inches in diameter and 2.9 inches deep and holds 14.25 ounces of liquid, enough to make five to six demi-tasse cups of coffee.
The glass makes it microwave and dishwasher safe, and versatile enough to be used to make tea, melt chocolate or butter and warm milk. When making coffee, it’s best to use a low flame. Suitable for gas and electric stovetops.
Pros:
- Made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass
- Makes five to six demi-tasse cups
- Safe for microwave and dishwasher
Cons:
- Will not work on induction stovetop
What to look for:
Size: Traditionally, a cezve was made for individual use, brewing up one delicious cup of coffee at a time. One of the most important things to consider before choosing a cezve for your kitchen, or as a gift for a friend, is the size.
The majority of cezves out there are on the smaller size, but if you intend to either have two cups for yourself, or serve Turkish coffee to guests after dinner, then look for a larger capacity one. So for example, a 12-ounce cezves will serve five or six small cups of coffee, while a 16-ounce size will serve between six and seven.
Material: The most popular material used to make a cezve is copper. The better made models that will last a long time are either made from a solid piece of premium copper, or have a thickness of at least 2 mm. Copper is a great heat conductor, which is important when using a cezve, as you want the water to heat up quickly and retain the heat as you spoon out the foam before putting the pot back onto the stovetop.
After copper, brass is another popular material, and there are also cezves made from stainless steel, glass and ceramic. Stainless steel is a good choice, since it is rust and heat resistant, but it has a more modern look than ones made from copper or brass, and won’t usually have the hand-etched designs for which the copper pots are so famous.
The handle: The long handle on a cezve is quite distinctive and a necessity, since it’s safer when your hand doesn’t have to get too close to the heat source. When choosing a cezve for yourself, regardless of the material of the pot, make sure the handle is long, at least 4.5 inches, if not more.
A handle can be made from the same material as the cezve, or it can be a different material. For example, a copper cezve can have a copper handle, a brass handle or even a wooden handle. Be aware that a copper, glass or brass handle will get hot, so you will have to use an oven mitt. Wood will not get as hot and as far as a plastic handle goes, make sure it is hard plastic so it doesn’t melt if it gets too close to the heat source.
Design: Many cezves have beautiful designs engraved on the outside, making them beautiful to display and for presentation. Of course, the designs on the cezves do not affect the quality of the coffee or the functionality of the pot, so which one you choose will be solely based on your own personal taste. If you prefer a model with no designs and a more modern aesthetic, then that’s what you should go with.
Price: Like most things, a cezve is available in a wide range of prices, from very affordable to expensive. Some of the factors affecting the price include the craftsmanship, the detail in the design and the size of the pot. A cezve that is handcrafted from thick copper may cost a little more, but it will be durable and last longer than one that is made from a thinner material. It’s never a good idea to spend more than you can afford, but sometimes it does pay to spend a little more and invest in something that will last a long time.