How To Make South indian Filter Coffee
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 124kcal
South Indian filter coffee is a traditional Indian style coffee that is made using a special filter. A coffee decoction is brewed which is mixed with hot milk and sugar to create a perfect cuppa. Here is how to make South Indian filter coffee in a true South Indian traditional way.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons finely ground coffee powder or 3 tablespoon for medium or 2 tablespoon for light coffee.
- ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar plus more to sweeten the coffee as per your taste.
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 cups boiling hot milk
Instructions
Set Up The Filter
- Start by cleaning an 8.5 fl oz (250 ml) filter nicely. The pores in the upper cup should not be blocked with previous coffee.
- Fix the upper cup of the filter over the lower container.
Make The Decoction
- Add coffee powder to the upper cup of the filter and spread it evenly using your fingers or a spoon.
- Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of granulated sugar over the coffee. This step adds a slight caramelization.
- Press the coffee powder gently with the plunger (umbrella-shaped attachment). Do not press too hard; otherwise, the coffee powder falls from the pores to the lower container.
- Top with warm water (not boiling hot water) until the filter is almost full. Cover with the lid and keep the filter on the counter to let the coffee percolate.
- It will take 3-4 hours for the coffee to percolate nicely and create a thick decoction. You can use the decoction after 15-20 minutes also but it will not be very thick.
- Discard the leftover coffee, or use it to make another batch.
Make The Filter Coffee
- Add 2 tablespoon decoction to a tumbler.
- Top with boiling hot milk.
- Add sugar to your taste to the tumbler.
How To Drink South Indian Filter Coffee
- Typically filter coffee is served in a brass or stainless steel tumbler and dabarah (container, cup) to cool the coffee.
- Using your fingers carefully, lift the tumbler by the rim, as the coffee will now be piping hot.
- Pour the hot coffee into the davara from the tumbler from a little distance. This process cools down the coffee and forms a nice froth on top.
- Now pour the coffee from the container back into the tumbler, again from a bit of height.
- Repeat this process a few times until the coffee has reached the perfect sipping temperature. Serve it in the tumbler setting on the davarah.
- Note – If uncomfortable, skip the pulling process and mix the sugar using a spoon.
Notes
Try to get finely ground coffee powder. If the coffee is ground coarsely, you will get a thin decoction.
I use a small brass coffee filter (8.5 fl oz, 250 ml) for making 3 cups of coffee at a time. But you can use a larger filter and brew more decoction.
You can make a big batch of decoction and refrigerate it for up to 3-4 days. Use it as required.
DO NOT use instant coffee powder to brew filter coffee.
For the best result, keep a close watch on water temperature, brewing time, brewing process, grind size, etc.
It is best to brew the decoction the previous night and make the coffee in the morning.
Adjust the amount of coffee decoction and milk, depending on how strong coffee you want.
You can use jaggery instead of sugar as a healthy alternative.
If using colder decoction, heat it until warm. Do not boil; otherwise, it will turn bitter. Then mix with hot milk and serve.
Although iced filter coffee is not traditional, you can add some ice cubes and make yourself an iced cold coffee.
Nutrition
Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 450mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 264IU | Calcium: 195mg | Iron: 1mg