You’re at work. You’ve got your favorite Turkish coffee grounds… but no stove in sight. Just a lonely microwave humming in the corner of the break room. Can it save the day? Can you actually pull off a proper cup this way?
Well, maybe. It’s not traditional, and it’s definitely not ideal. But if you follow a few key steps, you can get surprisingly close.
Here’s your no-nonsense guide on how to make Turkish coffee in a microwave, and how to make it taste like more than just a desperate attempt.
Can You Make Turkish Coffee in a Microwave?
You could make Turkish coffee in a microwave, but don’t expect miracles.
Turkish coffee is all about slow heat, fine grounds, and that iconic layer of foam. A microwave, on the other hand, is fast, aggressive, and doesn’t care about tradition. So, can it still work? With the right tweaks, yes. But it’s a workaround, not a replacement.
You won’t get the same depth of flavor or that beautiful crema on top. The foam is the first casualty here. Still, if you’re craving that strong, rich cup and a cezve isn’t an option, the microwave can get you close enough to satisfy the urge.
How to Make Turkish Coffee in a Microwave
Alright, let’s get into it. If you’re going to make Turkish coffee in a microwave, you need to slow things down. Here’s how to make it work:
- Grab a microwave-safe cup or small bowl
Something ceramic or glass. Nothing metal, obviously. This will act as your makeshift cezve.
- Measure your water
Use your coffee cup to measure out cold water. One cup per serving. Pour it into your bowl.
- Add the coffee and sugar
Add one heaping teaspoon of extra-finely ground Turkish coffee per cup of water. Sweeten to taste now and don’t stir it in later.
- Stir once. Just once
Mix everything gently so the grounds and sugar dissolve into the water. Once it’s mixed, no more stirring.
- Microwave in short bursts
Start with 15-20 seconds on medium power. Stop, check for bubbles or foam around the edges. Repeat this step until you see the foam starting to rise. This might take a couple of rounds.
- Watch it like a hawk
As soon as the foam starts climbing, pull it out. If you let it boil over, it’s game over. No foam, no magic.
- Pour carefully
Let the grounds settle for a few seconds. Then slowly pour the coffee into your cup. If there’s foam, scoop it in first with a spoon before pouring the rest.
What should you do when you get home and only have an electric stove? Check out this guide on how to brew a good cup of coffee using electric stove. And if you don’t have a cezve, here are the best alternatives.
Better Alternative
If you’re really craving Turkish coffee but all you have is a microwave, here’s a much simpler (and honestly more reliable) option: instant Turkish coffee.
It’s not the same as brewing it the traditional way, but it gets surprisingly close. And the best part? You don’t need a stove, cezve, or even foam skills. All you need is hot water, which the microwave can handle just fine.