A good copper cezve is made of thick copper, lined with tin inside, narrow at the neck and sized to the number of cups you make. Copper conducts heat quickly and evenly, which helps the coffee warm slowly and build a thick foam. A tin-lined copper cezve is safe to use.
Why copper?
Copper conducts heat about 25 times better than stainless steel. Heat spreads across the base and sides quickly, so the coffee warms evenly instead of overheating in one spot. In Turkish coffee the foam forms as the coffee heats slowly without boiling, and copper makes that easier. Thick copper holds heat more steadily than thin.
Is a copper cezve safe?
Yes, if it is lined with tin. The tin keeps acidic food and drink from touching the copper. The lining can wear over time; once copper shows through inside, have a coppersmith re-tin it. Don't brew coffee in unlined copper.
What size do I need?
We use about 70 ml of water per cup, and the foam needs some room to rise. Cezves are usually sold by total volume:
| Total volume | About | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 100–150 ml | 1 cup | Single serving, heats fast |
| 200–250 ml | 2 cups | The most popular size |
| 350–420 ml | 3–4 cups | For guests; harder to foam with little coffee |
One cup in a large cezve foams poorly, because the coffee spreads into a thin layer. Choose the size you will use most.
Which stoves?
A copper cezve works on gas, electric and ceramic hobs and in hot sand. Copper isn't magnetic, so it won't heat on induction by itself; you need an adapter plate.
Care
- No dishwasher; wash by hand in warm water.
- Clean the inside with a soft sponge; steel wool wears the tin away.
- Never leave it empty on the heat; tin melts at about 232 °C.
- Dry it straight after washing.
- When the outside darkens, polish it with lemon and salt, or vinegar and salt.
“A good cezve makes foam easier, but it can't replace fresh coffee. Together they make the best cup.”
— Roaster Lab
Our cezve
| Volume | 414 ml (3–4 cups) |
| Material | Solid copper, tin-lined inside |
| Made in | Türkiye, by hand |
| Handle | Removable wooden handle |
| Stove | Gas, electric, sand (not induction) |
| Delivery | Usually 3–5 business days |
See our copper cezve. Brewing steps are in our cezve guide, and foam problems in why Turkish coffee won’t foam.
