Quick summary: To make Turkish coffee you need a cezve and good finely-ground coffee. You do not need an expensive machine. In this guide you will find cezve selection, coffee brand comparison, and electric machine comparison all in one place.
What Makes Turkish Coffee Special?
Turkish coffee is made by slowly heating coffee ground as fine as flour together with cold water. The coffee does not get filtered out. The telve (grounds) stays at the bottom of the cup, and that telve is used for fortune telling.
How it differs from other coffee methods:
- Unlike filter or espresso, the coffee does not get "extracted" separately. A kaymak (foam) forms on top and telve settles at the bottom of the cup
- You add sugar while brewing, not after. It boils together with the coffee
- Served in small cups (60-80ml), so it is concentrated
- Cold water is always served alongside, to cleanse the palate
Choosing a Cezve: Material and Size Matter
The cezve is the heart of Turkish coffee. Buying a good cezve gives you both better coffee and more economical use in the long run.
Copper Cezve
Traditional and the most recommended. Copper distributes heat evenly and creates the ideal environment for slowly heating the coffee.
- Advantages: Authentic brewing, good foam formation, beautiful to look at, long-lasting.
- Disadvantages: If the inside is tin-lined, the lining wears out over time. Requires attention on the stove.
- Price: $10-25 range (depending on size).
View on Amazon: Copper Cezve →
Stainless Steel Cezve
A more modern, low-maintenance option. Heat distribution is slightly different compared to copper but it still makes good coffee.
- Advantages: Easy to clean, durable, dishwasher-safe.
- Disadvantages: Foam formation might not be as good as copper.
- Price: $8-20.
View on Amazon: Stainless Steel Cezve →
What Size Cezve Should You Get?
| Cezve Size | Ideal Use | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1 cup) | Single person, single serving | 80-100ml |
| Medium (2 cups) | Two people, most practical size | 150-200ml |
| Large (4-6 cups) | Hosting guests | 300-400ml |
Our recommendation: For home use, the medium 2-cup size is ideal. The very small cezve (1 cup) means refilling every time. Too large and the foam quality can decrease.
Coffee Brand Selection
The coffee used for Turkish coffee is called "Turkish grind" and is ground even finer than espresso. Using the wrong coffee makes even the best cezve useless.
Mehmet Efendi: The Symbol of Turkish Coffee
Founded in Istanbul in 1871, Mehmet Efendi is the worldwide face of Turkish coffee. Available in large packages on Amazon.
- Aroma: Medium-intense, balanced bitterness, subtle caramel notes.
- Grind: It comes already very finely ground. No extra processing needed.
- Downside: Loses its aroma quickly after opening. Buy the small packet (100g) and use it fresh.
View on Amazon: Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi →
Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi vs. Nuri Topcu
Nuri Topcu is Mehmet Efendi's main competitor. It has a slightly nuttier and softer aroma profile.
View on Amazon: Nuri Topcu Turkish Coffee →
Freshness is critical: After opening, the oils in the coffee start to oxidize. Best storage for Turkish coffee: an airtight glass or metal container, in a dark cabinet at room temperature. Putting it in the fridge might seem logical but moisture and odors can ruin the aroma.
Making Turkish Coffee Step by Step
- Ingredients: Cezve, finely ground Turkish coffee (1 teaspoon per cup), cold water (60-70ml per cup), sugar (optional).
- For those who take sugar: Add sugar and coffee to the cold water first. Changing this order affects foam formation.
- Stir: Stir before putting it on the stove and dissolve everything completely.
- Heat on low: Medium-low heat, slow warming. This is critical for foam to form. Fast boiling destroys the foam.
- Foam formation: When the surface darkens and starts to bubble, take the kaymak (foam) and put some in the cup first. Tilt the cezve slightly and pour a bit.
- Just before full boil: Remove the cezve before it fully boils. Coffee that boils completely loses its foam.
- Let it rest: Wait 30 seconds to let the telve settle to the bottom.
- Serve: Pour slowly into the cup. It is better not to pour the last few drops so the telve does not come out.
The most common mistake: Do not let the coffee fully boil. When the coffee in the cezve starts to boil, the foam on the surface disappears and you get "hot but foamless" coffee. Proper Turkish coffee is removed from heat right at the moment foam forms, just before it boils.
Electric Turkish Coffee Maker: Do You Need One?
Electric machines let you make coffee without the "effort" of a cezve. But not every machine makes good foam and prices range from $50-100.
Quick Comparison
| Method | Cost | Foam Quality | Convenience | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stovetop cezve | $8-25 | Excellent (if done right) | Requires attention | Best flavor and foam |
| Arzum Okka Minio | ~$70-90 | Good but can be lukewarm | Very easy | If you want to balance taste with ease |
| Saki Coffee Maker | ~$50-70 | Good foam, small capacity | Easy | For single-cup drinkers |
| Beko Coffee Maker | ~$60-80 | Medium foam | Easy | Reliable brand |
My honest recommendation: If you are interested in coffee and want real foam, learning the cezve takes 15 minutes and the result is better than any machine. The machine only makes sense when you need to quickly make coffee in the morning rush.
For detailed machine reviews: Home Appliances Guide
Turkish Coffee Cup
Turkish coffee is served in 60-80ml cups. This small size is not random. It is ideal for an intense and concentrated coffee.
Alisveristime Turkish Coffee Cups
Hand-painted with traditional motifs, these cups are ideal for gifts or personal use.
- Hand-painted. Do not put them in the dishwasher
- Available in 2-piece or 6-piece set options
- Very popular as gifts
View on Amazon: Alisveristime Turkish Coffee Cup (2-Piece Set) →
How to Serve Turkish Coffee?
- Cold water on the side: Always. To cleanse the palate and taste the coffee better.
- Lokum: Traditionally lokum or a small sweet accompanies the coffee. Turkish Delight on Amazon →
- Baklava: Ideal for hosting guests or gifting. Comes in a ready gift box on Amazon. View on Amazon: Baklava Gift Set →
- After the coffee: In Turkish gatherings, coffee comes last. It is not served during the main drinks, it is offered at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Can I add milk to Turkish coffee?"
Traditionally no, but how you want to drink it is your choice. Drinking it with milk is not wrong, just different from the traditional way.
"How many cups can I drink?"
An average serving of Turkish coffee contains about 40-70mg of caffeine (comparable to espresso). 2-3 cups per day is generally considered acceptable.
"Should I sip the telve?"
No. You do not drink the telve. The thick stuff at the bottom of the cup is the remaining sediment. You should not pour out the last 1-2 drops of the cup.
Coffee Accessory Recommendations
- BAYKA Copper Cezve (3-Size Set): Single cup, double cup, and four cup in one set. A complete set for home coffee. View on Amazon →
- Alisveristime Turkish Coffee Cup Set (6 pieces): Traditional hand-painted cup set for guest service. View on Amazon →
- Kivircik Lokum (500g): To serve alongside coffee. Rose and mastic flavored options available. View on Amazon →
Disclosure: Some Amazon links in this article are affiliate links. Your price doesn't change. I only recommend products I actually use or have personally tested.
