Brewing coffee in a jezva is a method that has been known since the time of the Ottoman Empire and remains popular in many countries. The jezva is often referred to as the oldest method of brewing coffee in the world. Its design and use have remained almost unchanged for centuries. In the right coffee pot, the coffee turns out thick, rich, with a vibrant flavor profile and aroma. Quality whole bean coffee or freshly ground coffee before brewing is not the only factor that affects the final taste of the drink: it’s also important to choose the right cookware for brewing.
Materials for Jezvas
The choice of material is significant as it affects the flavor of the drink, heating speed, and overall coffee preparation. There is an incredible variety of materials used to make jezvas. Silver is the best option, but its cost is too high for most consumers. Let’s talk about the most common options:
- Copper - Copper pots have uniform heat conductivity and usually have an inner coating of food-grade tin, which prevents oxidation.
- Brass - Brass pots have slightly different heat-conducting properties and are less popular.
- Ceramic - Ceramic jezvas heat more slowly but retain heat well.
- Cast Iron - Cast iron pots have excellent thermal accumulation properties but are heavy and require special care.
- Stainless Steel - A practical and durable option, though less effective at bringing out the coffee’s flavor characteristics.
The shape of the jezva influences the quality of coffee brewing and the formation of the coffee "tablet" during brewing. This is also known as the coffee foam or crema. All jezvas can be roughly divided into three types: scoop-style, souvenir-style, and proper ones.
Mass-market Jezvas vs Proper Jezvas
Mass-market jezvas are made from stainless steel and unevenly conduct heat. These pots typically have a large capacity (400-800 ml). Users often put too little coffee for such a large volume of water, making the coffee taste watery and bland. Also, due to the lack of narrowing at the top, coffee foam forms poorly, leading to broken crema when pouring into a cup.
Souvenir-style jezvas have a narrowed top. Because of this, the coffee tablet can become overly sealed, leading to over-extraction and uneven brewing. That is, the top part of the jezva will be over-brewed, while the bottom part remains under-brewed.
Proper jezvas have an optimal size for one cup and a slight hourglass-shaped narrowing that helps form better coffee foam. The narrow neck makes the drink more concentrated and aromatic, while the high-quality material distributes heat evenly across the surface of the jezva.
Choosing the Right Coffee Pot Based on the Heating Source
The choice of the pot depends not only on the material or shape but also on the heat source you’ll be using. Different heating sources affect the speed and evenness of coffee brewing, so it’s important to choose the right model. For example, for induction stoves, special pots with magnetic bottoms are needed, while for traditional sand brewing, copper models are best. Here are some key recommendations depending on the heating type:
- Gas stove: It’s better to choose copper or brass models.
- Induction stove: Stainless steel models or specially coated copper ones are best.
- Electric stove: A good choice would be pots with thick bottoms that distribute heat evenly.
Charcoal (or sand) heat: This traditional method works best with copper or ceramic jezvas.
Caring for Your Jezva
To ensure your pot lasts long, it’s important to properly care for it. Do not leave coffee residue in the pot for long. Wash it by hand, without using harsh detergents. For copper and brass models, use special cleaning agents to prevent oxidation. Do not overheat it on a high flame, as this can lead to uneven heating and damage the material.
For those who want to enjoy the true taste of coffee, it’s also important to choose quality coffee. After all, a good jezva is just part of the process. You can buy whole coffee beans or pre-ground coffee, depending on whether you have a coffee grinder to grind the beans fresh before brewing. And depending on the brewing method you prefer.
If you want to unlock the flavor potential of your beans fully, it's important to consider the material, shape, heating source, and your personal preferences.
