Advantages of a clay Turk
The main advantage of a clay Turk is the high porosity of the material from which it is made. Clay perfectly allows oxygen to pass through, which saturates hot coffee with it and enhances its taste.
Clay Turk is an environmentally friendly dishware, because clay is the most natural material. Moreover, the experience of its operation by many generations of people guarantees the safety of clay Turks for health.
Due to its low thermal conductivity, a clay pot holds heat well and heats up more evenly, due to which the prepared drink fully reveals its flavor and aromatic bouquet. The coffee is strong, with a rich taste and aroma.
The cost of a clay Turk is relatively low, although if you want a handmade cezve made of Yixing clay, you will have to pay a good amount for it. Yixing clay is mined in China and has unique properties that enhance coffee. In addition, Turks made from Yixing clay have greater strength than those made from ordinary clay.
Disadvantages of clay Turks
A clay pot is a fragile product and can be easily damaged, so it should be handled with care. A clay pot is considered a utensil for preparing one type of coffee, because... it absorbs the taste of the drink being prepared, and if different types of coffee are brewed in one pot and according to different recipes, the result will be a mixture of smells and tastes. Therefore, for lovers of various recipes for preparing the drink, it is better to use a ceramic or metal Turk.
How to brew coffee in a clay pot
Making coffee in a clay pot has some nuances. It is recommended to place a clay pot on a gas stove through a fire divider to prevent uneven heating. Rapid heating of a clay Turk is fraught with the appearance of microcracks.
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To make the coffee strong, the Turk does not need to be heated over a fire several times, as is the case with metal cezves. Simply remove the coffee from the stove and let it steep for 5 minutes before pouring into cups.
It is difficult to imagine the modern lifestyle of many people without waking up in the morning to the aroma of coffee. The ancient and most correct way of preparing this invigorating drink is considered to be brewing in a Turkish tea pot. Clay Turk is considered popular, natural and affordable. There are also other types of cezves made of ceramics and copper.
Classic cooking method
A traditional and very simple cooking method that takes little time (no more than 10-15 minutes). Decide in advance how strong the drink you want.
How much coffee do you need? Depends on personal preference. For 200 ml you can take two (weak strength) or three teaspoons of ground grains (moderate strength). Try to use finely ground beans so that the coffee grounds can fully develop their flavor when brewed.
- Pour ground grains and other ingredients included in the recipe (for example, sugar, various spices) into the heated Turk.
- Pour cold water into the container and warm the future drink well over low heat.
- Is the content warm enough? It's time to stir the coffee until a light foam forms. This action can be repeated only once to ensure full development of taste.
- We monitor the appearance of the foam - when heated, it darkens and rises little by little. Are bubbles starting to form on the surface? This is the perfect time to take your coffee off the heat.
- Wait a couple of minutes to allow the grounds to settle to the bottom. Then pour the drink into cups.
Pros and cons of clay Turks
The material of the pot in which coffee is brewed plays an important role. To get high-quality aromatic coffee, you should pay attention to all types of cezves that are on the market. The quality of the material affects the speed of coffee preparation, its richness, aroma and taste characteristics.
Many fans of the coffee drink believe that a clay Turk is better than a ceramic or copper one. Especially if it is made from Yixing clay. This Chinese clay (from the city of Yixing) due to its structure saturates coffee with oxygen, which gives it a divine aroma and taste. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to find and purchase Turka made from this oriental material, but even simple clay has its advantages and has a beneficial effect on the quality of coffee.
Advantages
In ancient times, clay Turks were used by poor commoners who could not afford copper utensils (it was available only to aristocrats). Modern coffee lovers find a number of advantages of cezves made from clay, which explains their popularity.
The advantages of using a clay cezve include:
- The porous structure of the clay enriches the coffee with oxygen and enhances its aroma;
- The material is environmentally friendly, which makes it safe for the body;
- Low thermal conductivity, which helps maintain the temperature of the drink. After the coffee brews in such a container, it will acquire an indescribable deep taste;
- Uniform heating helps to gradually reveal all the qualities of the coffee drink and taste characteristics;
- Availability and wide range allow coffee lovers to purchase utensils for preparing coffee of various types and sizes. Even a handmade Turk will not be scared off by the numbers on the price tag. If Yixing clay is used, the price of dishes will be much higher than those made from ordinary clay.
Flaws
The peculiarities of a clay Turk may discourage coffee lovers from using this type of cezve. Flaws:
- Preservation of coffee aroma. Due to the porous structure of the walls, the Turks are saturated with the properties of the first coffee prepared in it. New coffee beans will not reach their full flavor potential due to the taste of the previous brew. Therefore, it is advisable to brew one type of coffee in a Turk.
- Constant control over the cooking process. Because the clay cools slowly, the coffee continues to rise even when the Turk is removed from the heat. You need to learn to control the process of brewing an invigorating drink.
- Sensitivity to temperature changes. Do not suddenly cool pottery after heating, as it may crack. When preparing a coffee drink, it is better to place a cold pot over low heat so that it heats evenly and there is no sudden temperature change.
- Fragility. This type of dishware is quite easy to break, especially if the floor is tiled.
Which Turk is better, clay or ceramic?
Ceramic Turks differ from clay Turks in their glazed surface.
Along with clay Turks, ceramic Turks are also popular. They are also made from baked clay, but have a glazed finish. The surface can be glossy or matte.
The main feature that distinguishes earthenware from ceramic is that ceramics do not absorb odors. This material does not interact with the external environment, does not oxidize, and therefore can easily get rid of traces of a previously prepared drink. Ceramics are easy to clean; just rinse with water.
- Everything about the copper Turk from a price review to rules of use (+ how to clean)
Therefore, if a person does not drink one type of coffee, but often brews different types of coffee beans, then he should give preference to a ceramic pot. It retains all the positive properties of clay, in addition, it eliminates traces of previous cooking.
Which Turk is better, clay or copper?
In ancient times, a copper cezve was considered a sign of wealth; only high-ranking officials used it. Nowadays, only true coffee connoisseurs prefer this type of Turkish coffee. Copper has its differences from clay, as well as some features. To decide which type of material is more suitable for a coffee lover, you need to familiarize yourself with its properties.
Copper differs from clay in that it heats up and cools down fairly quickly. This does not allow the coffee to simmer, thereby saturating it with taste and aroma, as in clay Turks. Nevertheless, it is possible to reveal all the flavor characteristics in copper cookware even with the help of hot sand, thanks to its good thermal conductivity.
Important! Just like clay, copper has the ability to absorb coffee aromas, so lovers of an invigorating drink should also pay attention to this.
Advantages of ceramic Turks
The ceramic coffee pot is universal. You can cook rare and flavored varieties in it without fear of mixing tastes and smells. The porous structure of the clay allows oxygen to pass through, which enriches the aroma during cooking. The thick walls heat up slowly, so the finished drink takes on the properties of real Turkish coffee brewed in sand.
Unlike a copper vessel, which begins to cool immediately after removal from the heat, a ceramic cezve retains heat perfectly. Additional aging after brewing makes the taste of the drink richer and reveals the aroma deeper.
The low thermal conductivity of ceramics must be taken into account when preparing coffee and remove the container from the heat before the foam reaches the edges.
A ceramic pot is very easy to care for. While it is difficult to clean a copper or cupronickel cezve from traces of coffee grounds, ceramic vessels are easy to clean and do not require special care.
The only drawback of such dishes is that they can break if handled carelessly. The properties of Turks depend on the manufacturing technology; this must be taken into account when choosing a product.
How to choose the right clay Turk
Today the market provides a large selection of cezves of different types and sizes. Clay Turks are widely represented by both artisans and factory production. Anyone who prefers factory-made cookware can be confident in the strength of the material and its quality. After all, they are all tested for fire resistance and have a guarantee of use.
Handmade Turks also find their buyers. Many people prefer the old method of making cezves because the soul and positive energy of the artisan is put into them. Therefore, the drink will have a more noble taste and aroma. Turks, made by hand, are also distinguished by individual decorative processing on the outside. You can choose them as a gift or for your own collection.
To choose the right cezve, you need to pay attention to the following:
- The shape of the dish should be in the form of a cone (with a narrow neck and wide bottom);
- The walls of the Turk must be thick enough (otherwise it can quickly crack due to temperature changes);
- There should be no damage, cracks or roughness inside;
- The handle should be at an angle, long enough and not hot.
How to brew coffee in a clay pot
To prepare a tasty and aromatic invigorating drink in a clay pot you need:
- Pour the required amount of ground coffee beans into a dry, clean cezve (the amount of coffee depends on the desired strength of the drink);
- Add water up to the narrowest part of the neck;
- Put on fire;
- Wait for the boiling point (but do not boil!) and let it brew for a couple of minutes.
It is worth noting that you should not bring the coffee to a boil three times (as when using copper cezves). It is enough to leave the freshly brewed invigorating drink for 3-5 minutes in the Turk to reveal all its taste characteristics.
Is it possible to brew coffee in a clay pot on a gas stove?
Due to the fact that clay is quite vulnerable to temperature changes, many people wonder whether it is possible to put a clay Turk on gas. If you place a special fire spreader on the stove, it will be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the bottom, and there will be no risk of damage to the cookware.
How to use a ceramic Turk
Ceramic material is not resistant to sudden temperature changes. To prevent the Turk from suddenly breaking, you must adhere to certain rules.
Ceramic Turk on a gas stove
If the gas stove burner is larger than the bottom of the ceramic Turk, then you need to use a flame divider. On an electric stove with a spiral heater, a disc adapter is useful. An induction surface requires an adapter with special ferromagnetic properties. Glass-ceramic surfaces are ideal for brewing coffee in a Turk because such stoves heat evenly and there is no need to use additional protective devices.
The casing should stand firmly on the surface.
The safety of the Turk can be ensured by first placing the cezve on the surface before turning it on.
A durable, heat-treated ceramic Turk can be placed directly on a gas stove over the fire.
A handmade ceramic Turk with convex elements can be protected from fire flames using a metal divider.
An electric stove with a spiral-shaped heating element does not distribute heat evenly. Therefore, a metal adapter is also used on this type of stove.
The ceramic coffee pot, removed from the flame, must be placed on a dry stand.
When cleaning, do not use abrasive materials, aggressive acids or harsh cleaners.
How to clear a cezve from burnt remains of a drink
- Pour warm water into the vessel.
- Stir and dissolve pre-ground laundry soap and soda ash in it.
- Boil the solution over low heat until all residues are removed.
- Pour out the water and rinse the cezve with boiling water, cleaning it with a gentle washcloth. Wipe the dishes dry with a soft cloth.
To wash a ceramic cezve in the dishwasher, you need to carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendation about whether special technologies were used in production. There is no clear prohibition against washing ceramics in the dishwasher.
Features of operation and care
There are some nuances regarding the care of a clay pot.
If you have an idea of the physical properties of clay, you can guess how to use such utensils correctly.
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Before using it for the first time, you must rinse the purchased clay pot well; it is better to boil water in it. You can also immerse it in a container of water and leave it there for an hour. Then rinse and wipe dry.
To wash a clay cezve, you cannot use detergents, as their residues get into the drink and can spoil the entire impression of coffee pleasure.
If you had to change the type of coffee, then before brewing it is better to rinse the coffee pot in hot water several times. This will help get rid of the trace and smell of the previous type of drink. Modern clay cezves have a special protective coating on the inside. It is enough to rinse such dishes with water.
On a note! Many true connoisseurs claim that you can completely get rid of the taste and aroma of the previous coffee variety in a clay pot only by brewing a new coffee variety several times.
It is better to start the process of preparing coffee in a clay Turk on gas with a small fire that does not extend beyond the bottom. In this case, it will be good when the stove is initially cold. After turning off the heat, the boiling will stop, but the coffee will continue to enrich in taste and aroma.
You should be careful and not expose the cezve to mechanical stress. Even a small blow can result in a trip to the store for new dishes.
Reviews about clay Turks
Alexandra, 32 years old:
I tried a clay cezve for the first time while in the field. It turned out to keep the coffee warm longer, the taste is no different from the drink prepared in a homemade copper pot.
Vitaly, 45 years old:
I always use a clay or ceramic Turk. The drink always turns out impeccable, the main thing is to know how to prepare it correctly.
Dmitry, 23 years old:
I could not thoroughly study the advantages of this type of Turks. Broke 2 days after purchase, accidentally dropped on the floor. Fragility is, of course, a big minus. Most likely I will now buy a copper Turk.
A clay cezve will help you get high-quality coffee, despite its cheapness and availability. Such a Turk retains heat longer, thereby better revealing the aroma and taste of a certain type of coffee. You need to know the features of this type of cookware and be able to use it correctly.
When brewing coffee in a clay pot, difficulties may arise that affect the quality of the drink and the integrity of the container. To avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to know how to use such cookware on different types of stoves.
Pros and cons of clay Turks
Turks made from clay have a number of advantages. Among them are:
- porosity of the structure, thanks to this the coffee is saturated with oxygen and reveals its taste to the maximum;
- environmental friendliness of the material. It is safe for human health;
- low thermal conductivity, due to which the vessel heats up evenly and cools slowly, which improves the quality of the finished drink.
In addition to their advantages, such Turks also have disadvantages. Among them are the fragility of containers and sensitivity to temperature changes.
During cooking, the clay retains the coffee aroma, which is why it is recommended to brew only one coffee variety in one vessel.
How to use
To brew a quality drink, you need to know how to properly use a clay cezve. The following tips will be useful for this:
- Before first use, the vessel must be thoroughly washed without using detergents - it is best to soak the container for 1 hour in clean water;
- to get rid of the smell of the previous type of coffee beans, the Turk should be filled with water and heated several times on the stove;
- During cooking, temperature changes must be avoided.
There are also recommendations for using clay cezves on various slabs.
On a gas stove
A clay pot for brewing coffee on a gas stove can only be used with a divider. This is due to the fact that temperature changes are dangerous for clay. They provoke the appearance of cracks on the surface of the vessel. If you use a divider, the cezve will heat up evenly and its integrity will not be compromised.
On electric
Coffee in a clay pot can be prepared on an electric stove. In this case, the radius of the burner should be covered by the bottom of the vessel by 70-80%. The heating must be inactive, otherwise the container may crack. To prevent coffee from running away, it should be removed from the heating element when the temperature of the liquid reaches 90 degrees.
On induction
A special feature of clay Turks is that they cannot be used on an induction hob without additional equipment. To brew coffee, you will need to purchase an induction adapter, which will help activate the heating and heat the vessel evenly. The best option is to use ferromagnetic adapters.
If you don’t want to buy such a device, you can make coffee in a clay pot using other items. In this case, you need to place a frying pan on the burner and fill it with sand. The Turk is immersed in the sand, and the coffee is prepared while it is evenly heated.
On glass-ceramic
A special feature of glass-ceramic plates is the fragility of their coating. Therefore, you cannot use metal Turks to make coffee on it. The best option would be to use a cezve made of clay or porcelain.
It is worth considering that clay products must have a thick, wide bottom to eliminate the possibility of overheating the burner and the vessel itself.
How to use
To brew a high-quality drink, you should know how to use a clay cezve correctly. To do this you will need the following tips:
- before the first use, the vessel must be thoroughly rinsed without using detergents - it is best to soak the container for 1 hour in clean water;
- to get rid of the aroma of the previous type of coffee beans, it is recommended to fill the Turk with water and heat it on the stove a couple of times;
- During manufacturing, temperature changes must be excluded.
There are also tips on using clay cezves on different slabs.
On a gas stove
A clay pot for brewing coffee on a gas stove can only be used with a divider. This is justified by the fact that temperature changes are unsafe for clay. They provoke the appearance of cracks on the surface of the vessel. If you use a divider, the casing will warm up moderately, and its integrity will not be compromised.
On electronic
Coffee in a clay pot can be prepared on an electric stove. In this case, the radius of the burner should be covered by the bottom of the vessel by 70-80%. Heating must be inactive, otherwise the container may crack. To prevent coffee from running away, it is recommended to remove it from the heating element when the water temperature reaches 90 degrees.
On induction
A special feature of clay Turks is the impossibility of using them on an induction cooker without additional devices. To brew coffee, you will need to purchase an induction adapter, which will help activate the heating and warm the vessel moderately. The best option is the introduction of ferromagnetic adapters.
If you don’t want to take such a device, you can make coffee in a clay pot using other items. In this case, you need to place a frying pan on the burner and fill it with sand. The Turk is immersed in the sand, and the coffee is prepared while it is evenly heated.
On glass-ceramic
A special feature of glass-ceramic plates is the fragility of their coating. Therefore, it is impossible to use metal Turks to make coffee on it. A good option would be to use a cezve made of clay or porcelain.
It is worth considering that clay products must have a thick, wide bottom to prevent the possibility of overheating of the burner and the vessel itself.
How to brew coffee in a clay pot
To prepare coffee in a clay pot that maximizes its taste and aroma, you can use the instructions below.
- The required amount of coffee powder is poured into a washed and dried container. It must be prepared before brewing a drink from high-quality roasted grains. The best option is medium-roasted raw materials.
- Then water is poured into the vessel. Its quantity should not exceed the level of the narrowest point of the cezve.
- The container is placed on the burner and warmed up. At this time, you need to constantly monitor the product so that it does not boil away.
- When foam appears on the surface of the drink, the Turk should be removed from the heat and let the drink brew for a few minutes.
If you need to get strong coffee, the heating procedure should be repeated 2-3 times. In this case, the coffee beans will give maximum flavor and aroma to the water. If you need to brew a “soft” drink, you should not reheat the liquid. In this case, it is enough to leave it in a hot Turk for 3-5 minutes. Due to the characteristic thermal conductivity of clay, the container will maintain temperature for a long time, which will allow the grains to reveal their taste and aroma.
If you want to brew Turkish coffee, you can use sand. This drink can be prepared on any stove. To do this, place a frying pan on the burner, and the diameter of its bottom must correspond to the size of the heating element of the stove. Next you just need to follow the instructions:
- Sand and a small amount of pebbles are poured into the frying pan.
- The bottom of the cezve is immersed in the sand in the center of the frying pan.
- The required amount of coffee powder is placed in the vessel and water is poured in.
- Then the heating is turned on.
- When foam appears on the surface of the liquid, the Turk should be removed from the sand.
- The heating procedure must be repeated 2-3 times.
- If necessary, sugar is added to the drink. This should be done after the coffee has been poured into the cup.
Coffee prepared in a clay pot can be used to make various drinks - Americano, latte, macchiato, cappuccino. In this case, you will need to take the main ingredients in various proportions and complement their taste with secondary components, for example milk, chocolate, syrup. Some recipes call for diluting the liquid with plain water.
Author: Alena Rogozinskaya
Of all the known types of utensils for making coffee, the clay Turk is perhaps one of the oldest options. Some are inclined to give the palm to the copper cezve, but it appeared in the Shah's palaces and in rich trading houses. Copper, like other metals, was in short supply; clay was more accessible. Therefore, simple Arab nomads and poor pilgrims used earthenware. Surely the discoverers of coffee, the inhabitants of glorious Ethiopia, used some semblance of modern Turks to prepare an invigorating drink from dried coffee berries.
Gradually, the nomadic lifestyle and the beginning of the persecution of the drink by religious leaders led to the fact that the utensils for brewing coffee decreased in size. Democratic clay continued to be used for its manufacture. The shape of the cezve changed approximately 500 years ago. It became taller and narrowed near the neck. This made it possible to obtain a more aromatic and strong drink.
Advantages of a clay Turk
The history of this utensil is quite comparable to the history of coffee itself, but how does it feel in our modern world?
Clay Turks remain in high demand among coffee fans, despite the existing alternative options. Cezves made of refractory clay are valued for a number of undeniable advantages.
Material structure.
Clay is a fairly porous material that allows oxygen to pass through well. It enriches the coffee being prepared and enhances the taste of the drink.
Natural origin.
The desire for environmental cleanliness has recently acquired the form of a sustainable trend. What could be more natural than earthenware? The material has been tested by hundreds of generations of our ancestors and is completely safe for humans.
Uniform heating.
Clay has a fairly low thermal conductivity and retains heat well. Due to this, the dishes heat up slowly and evenly. An even and gradual distribution of heat allows coffee to reveal its full flavor potential, which has a positive effect on the quality of the finished drink.
High heat retention coefficient.
The clay pot continues to warm the drink even after the brewing process is complete. The coffee seems to be languishing in a clay embrace. Therefore, the infusion becomes even stronger and more aromatic and acquires a deep taste.
Clay Turks are usually produced by hand or in small workshops. Cezves made in China and Turkey are often found. Craftsmen in these countries have been working with clay for many generations, so their experience can be trusted.
The cost of a clay Turk is very low; you can find very decent handmade dishes for 400-500 rubles. Although Turks made from the famous Yixing clay can cost much more.
Features of using a clay Turk
Using dishes made from natural materials must comply with certain rules.
- If you bought a clay Turk, then before using it you need to wash it well with water, without using detergents. Experts recommend that you then put the purchase in a deep bowl filled with water and leave for about an hour. After this, wipe the cezve dry. Your Turk is ready for use!
- The clay cezve has its own operational characteristics. The first of these is fragility. The dishes may be able to withstand a fall on linoleum, but contact with modern tiles will most likely become critical. Therefore, be careful!
- The second significant nuance of a cezve made from this material is based on its physical properties. The porosity of clay leads to high adsorption of odors and even tastes of the drink being prepared. A clay cezve absorbs the coffee aroma too well, so if you suddenly decide to change the type of coffee, the Turk will have to be washed for a long time and thoroughly and heated with clean water several times to remove the smell of previous brews. The widespread belief that only one type of coffee can be prepared in a clay pot is just an unscrupulous myth.
To completely eliminate the smell in clay dishes, you can fill the Turk with water and a small amount of soda, leave the dishes overnight, and in the morning pour out the solution and rinse first with hot and then with cold water.
Clay cezves today are often coated with a special glaze on the inside to minimize the absorption of odors. It is enough to simply wash such dishes thoroughly and rinse with very cold water.
How to choose a ceramic Turk
The characteristics depend on the characteristics of the material.
Clay Turks
Earthenware undergoes heat treatment, due to which it becomes fireproof and chemical resistant. Such products are not covered with glaze. The material fully retains its porous structure, so it allows air to pass through well, but also easily absorbs odors and particles of coffee oils.
If you want to fully appreciate all the properties of a rare variety of Arabica or Robusta, the dishes will have to be thoroughly washed several times and additionally heated with clean water.
From clay
Glazed ceramics
Before firing, such a Turk is coated with glaze - a glassy material that protects the ceramic from mechanical damage and smoothes the surface structure. A thin coating protects the clay walls from contact with the environment, so they do not absorb foreign odors.
Advantages of products made from glazed ceramics:
- suitable for preparing any types of coffee;
- resist staining;
- do not oxidize and do not enter into chemical reactions.
There are no traces of coffee left on the smooth surface after brewing; it can be easily washed in hot water with ordinary dishwashing detergent.
Glazed
A glazed ceramic pot is a great way to experiment with different mixtures and treat yourself to a flavored drink with an unusual taste.
