Coffee is a unique drink that is loved for its taste and aroma, and its preparation is an art.
There are several ways to make coffee. Home appliance stores offer a wide range of coffee makers and coffee machines that will prepare a cup of your favorite drink without much effort, but its taste will be different from the one you brew yourself. Therefore, the traditional way to obtain taste and aroma remains cooking in a special vessel, which is a thick-walled metal ladle with a long handle, which we all know as a cezve for coffee. How to choose it and what to look for when buying - our article will tell.
There is something Turkish in the name of the vessel for making coffee. And this is no coincidence, because it was in this country that it was invented. For a long time, a fragrant oriental drink has been common among the people of this country. During the Ottoman Empire, it was even forbidden to drink coffee, because it had a stimulating effect, but despite this, the populationcontinued to drink a fragrant invigorating drink.
Most often it is prepared in a Turk, where ground coffee beans are brewed. Many generations of connoisseurs use this method of creating aromatic coffee, proven by their ancestors, and will not exchange it for another, even the most technologically advanced and modern. The classic drink is created by dissolving coffee bean enzymes in water. This process has several features. Considering them, you will get the opportunity to enjoy the real taste and aroma.
Shape matters
We have already found out that to prepare an invigorating drink, you need a special cezve, or as it is otherwise called - a cezve for coffee. How to choose the right one? It should be of a special shape - have a wide bottom and a narrow neck.
Such a device is a classic, it appeared a long time ago and remains unchanged for a long time. The generally accepted norms of culinary art dictate the use of the conical shape of the Turks. What is the reason for such a choice? During the preparation process, foam is formed, which accumulates in a narrow place and does not allow the coffee enzymes to evaporate, acting as a kind of cork. Thus, the saturation of the taste and aroma of the drink with a delicious bouquet of coffee beans is preserved. Therefore, the narrower the neck, the better the coffee will taste.
The walls of the vessel can be steep, it looks beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, but if they are gentle, then the thick will sink to the bottom faster and be better located there. Under the influence of heat, ground coffee beans rise up and, meeting with an inclined inner surfacewalls sink to the bottom. Choose a cezve with a wide bottom - a large heating area will ensure uniform preparation of the drink.
If the neck of the Turks looks like a funnel (at first it is wide, then it narrows), then you will have a couple of moments to save the "escaping" coffee. It seems to be small differences in terms of shape, but so many subtleties and nuances in cooking!
Less Turk, richer taste
Usually the Turk has a small size. Any coffee gourmet knows that the smaller the size, the tastier the drink. It is considered optimal to prepare one cup of coffee for about 100 grams. Therefore, such a small volume (up to 150 ml) has a classic coffee pot. Reviews from connoisseurs say that the smaller the dishes, the better the taste.
What are Turks made of?
Before you buy coffee utensils, determine what material the coffee pot is made of. How to choose the one that will allow you to use for a long time and keep the best taste of the drink?
The following materials are currently used in production:
- copper;
- ceramics;
- brass;
- steel;
- clay;
- aluminum.
The properties of materials are different, and each has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of metal vessels are obvious - they will not break if you accidentally drop them, such products are easier to clean and wash. But the taste of coffee brewed in a clay or ceramic cezve is much higher. Therefore, a person chooses towhat suits him.
The secret of traditional coffee: fire, water and… a copper cezve
Especially good copper cezve for coffee. What makes her different from others? Why do gourmets so often buy accessories from this metal? When producing a special conical shape, the manufacturer chooses copper because of its ductile properties, as it is easy to give it the desired shape. Copper quickly and well heats up, the Turk from this metal evenly transfers its heat to the drink prepared in it, while maintaining its taste properties. Modern manufacturers cover the inner surface with a thin layer of food tin so that chemical compounds contained in copper do not get into the drink.
The power of nature will preserve aromas and saturate with oxygen
Clay is a natural material that can pass oxygen. A cezve made from it will allow you to enjoy the unique taste of coffee. Another special property of clay is that it absorbs and stores odors. Therefore, it is better to cook some kind of coffee in such a Turk, but this aroma will fully open for you. Clay items are more expensive and must be handled with extra care as they are fragile and can break easily.
Ceramic keeps you warm and tastes great
Ceramic cezve for coffee appeared not so long ago, so it has not yet won such a wide distribution in the consumer environment. Such a Turk has a higher price than products made from other materials. This is offset by excellenttaste and aroma of the drink prepared in it.
Ceramic tableware is convenient to use, it washes well, does not absorb odors, and retains heat for a long time due to thick walls, which means that the drink in it will be hot for a long time. It boils for a while even after being removed from the stove. Its main drawback is its fragile structure, it can break if dropped or hit.
Good as a gift and for yourself
Great gift idea for a gourmet - Turk for coffee. Which is better - decide for yourself. Even if a person already has it, trying new things is always interesting. Coffee lovers are happy to compare portions of the drink prepared in different vessels or with different technologies, so do not hesitate - the gift will please a coffee lover. Manufacturers also produce expensive silver Turks, they play a more decorative role, such a souvenir will be a wonderful decoration for the kitchen, and occasionally a drink prepared in it will seem much tastier.
Comfortable and safe
When buying, pay attention to whether it is conveniently located in the Turkish hand for coffee. How to choose the right pen? Is it comfortable to hold? Does it heat up during the cooking process? Does it attach securely enough to the case?
The most common option is a long wooden handle - it almost does not heat up, and this will save you from getting burned. It is good if the handle is located horizontally, and its end is directed slightly upwards. With this arrangement, you will not burn your fingers with steam. Turks are also produced with a vertically located handle. They aresuitable for those cases when coffee is prepared on hot sand, and heating occurs from all sides.
On some models, the handle can be removed, it is very convenient for washing and storage. If it is not removed, it is fastened with a bolt or by welding. The bolted connection is less reliable, it will gradually loosen, and besides, the bolt can rust.
Modern technology and age-old traditions
The types of Turks described above are suitable for both gas and electric burners. If the stove in your kitchen is induction, the coffee pot should be special.
It must be made of materials containing special inclusions that trap the eddy currents emitted by the stove.
Such Turks are not yet very often on sale. In order not to be mistaken and not to confuse the induction Turk with the usual one, you need to put it on the stove. It should magnetize.
If it is not possible to purchase such a Turku, modern industry offers a simple solution - special metal cavities for induction cookers. You can put any dishes in them, including ordinary ceramic or metal cezve.
We hope that the features we have reviewed will help you find the right coffee pot for you!
