So you want to make Turkish coffee, but you don’t have any traditional equipment. Only good intentions and a little creativity. You look around your kitchen, and there’s a French press sitting right there. You might wonder, can I make Turkish coffee in a French press?
No, you can’t make Turkish coffee in a French press. This comes down to grind size and brewing methods. But let’s take a deeper look and explore some better options.
Why You Can’t Make Turkish Coffee in a French Press
Here are the 3 main reasons why you can’t make Turkish coffee in a French press.
Grind Size
Turkish coffee is ground extra fine. It resembles flour or powder. The French press, on the other hand, is designed for a coarse grind.
If you add Turkish coffee to the French press, when you actually do the pressing, some coffee will go through the filter, and some will stay at the bottom. All in all, you’ll end up with a terrible cup of coffee.
Brewing Process
Turkish coffee is boiled slowly in a small pot over low heat. This is done to extract all the flavor from the extra-finely ground coffee and to create foam, which is a signature part of the experience.
A French press uses steeping, not boiling. There’s no way to produce the foam or mimic the texture Turkish coffee is known for. Even if some foam appears when you pour and mix the water, it disappears once you press it.
Serving Style
Turkish coffee should include the grounds in the cup. They settle at the bottom and give you that strong finish.
The French press is designed to separate coffee grounds. As mentioned before, the grind size is different, so the filter won’t catch all the grounds. But the pressure will still leave a lot of residue.
These are the main reasons why you can’t make Turkish coffee in a French press. And honestly, don’t try it. It’s terrible. No matter how many times I’ve tried, it has ended badly every single time.
What Can You Use as an Alternative?
When it comes to alternative methods, almost anything works better than a French press. For example, you can use a regular pot or even a small saucepan.
However, for the best taste, you should definitely use a cezve, which is the traditional brewing tool.
See what else works when you want Turkish coffee but don’t have the traditional pot.
Final Thoughts – How to Make Turkish Coffee in a French Press?
You can’t. Not really. Turkish coffee is all about texture, foam, and that extra-fine grind. A French press just isn’t built for that. It can’t recreate the brewing style, the flavor, or the feel.
If you’re serious about making real Turkish coffee, get yourself a cezve. If you don’t have one, use a small pot as a temporary fix. Just don’t expect a French press to do the job. It’s great for a lot of things, but this just isn’t one of them.
FAQ
Why does grind size matter so much for Turkish coffee?
Turkish coffee uses ultra-fine grounds, like powder. This is key to getting the thick texture and proper foam. A French press is made for coarse grounds, so it’s the wrong match.
Is there any way to get foam with a French press?
Not really. Foam in Turkish coffee comes from boiling slowly, not from pressing or steeping. A French press can’t replicate that process.