Traditional South Indian Filter Coffee or Kaapi recipe with a step-by-step and detailed recipe. This recipe will guide you to make this at home. It is one of the most famous coffee in South India that is drunk by so many people.
Serving coffee is a culture mainly in the states of South India like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Each and every person visiting the house is served a cup of coffee. However, the culture is no more restricted to these states, this coffee is liked by many. Moreover, let us get into more details of this.
What is Filter Coffee
Traditional South Indian Filter Coffee is a coffee drink that is prepared by mixing boiled milk, sugar, and coffee brew. The process of brewing by the percolation of finely ground coffee powder in a traditional Indian filter is known as Filter Coffee.
In South India, this is also known as Kaapi. This coffee is also referred to as unique names in different regions like Madras filter coffee, Madras kaapi, Kumbakonam degree coffee, Mylapore filter coffee, or Mysore filter coffee.
FAQs
Can we drink Filter Coffee on an Empty Stomach?
No, you should not drink it on an empty stomach as this may lead to acidity and may result in indigestion issues. You can have it after eating something as this will not create heartburn.
Can we make filter coffee with instant coffee?
You should stick to filter coffee powder for the authentic taste. Instant coffee will not give you that taste, aroma, and satisfaction if you want to have strong coffee.
Is it ok to drink Filter Coffee every day?
Yes, if you drink it within limits. Anything in excess is not good, so is coffee. Having a maximum of 2 cups per day is good as too much coffee can cause problems.
What kind of coffee should we use for filter coffee?
The best is to use the medium filter coffee powder as if it is too coarse, it will not release its flavor. However, if the coffee powder is too fine, then it will release into the coffee and will make it bitter in taste.
Can we make decoction ahead of time?
Yes, we can make the decoction ahead of time in double quantity and keep it for 2-3 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. So you can use it whenever you want to drink it. Simply pour hot milk and prepare a nice frothy coffee and have it.
Can we reuse the coffee powder for decoction?
Yes, we can reuse the coffee powder for decoction. However, when you do it for the second time it will be mild and not as strong as the first time when you do. But instead of wasting and throwing away, you can re-use it.
Does filter coffee taste different from instant coffee?
Yes, it tastes very different from instant coffee have. The process of preparations totally differs. Moreover, it depends on the coffee beans and the variety of coffee used.
What is Chicory Coffee?
Chicory Coffee is a beverage that is prepared using the roots of the chicory plant. This coffee tastes similar to coffee but has a nutty and earthy taste. However, since it is plant-based it is a caffeine-free alternative to regular coffee that can be addictive.
Preparation Method
South Indian Filter Coffee is brewed with a metal device that resembles two cylindrical cups,
- one of which has a pierced bottom that nests into the top of the tumbler.
- the upper cup has two removable parts.
- a pierced pressing disc with a central stem handle and a covering lid.
- the upper cup is loaded with freshly ground coffee.
- the grounds are then compressed with the stemmed disc into a uniform layer
Check the detailed pictures below to know this metal device
Step-by-Step Recipe of Filter Coffee
Ingredients:
This recipe will yield 3-4 tumblers
4 tsp ground coffee,
1 cup of water
2-3 tsp sugar, or as per the taste
1 cup full-fat milk
Method:
How to filter the coffee:
1. Firstly, Keep coffee powder, filter coffee steel device, and water ready.
2 Now place the top vessel of the steel filter on the lower one.
3. Add 4 tsp of ground coffee on the top vessel and place it in the vessel with the perforations.
4. Now place the disc with the handle on the ground coffee, pressing it lightly.
5. Boil water on the stove and pour it in the top steel vessel as shown in the picture.
6. Cover it with a lid and wait for 10 minutes.
7. Finally, after 10 minutes you will see the coffee decoction in the lower vessel.
Tumbler used to serve this coffee
Traditional this Coffee is always served in special steel tumblers known as Dabarah or Davarah, a wide metal saucer with lipped walls. Please see the picture below.
How to make Coffee :
8. Heat milk in a pan and bring it to a boil.
9. Now add 1 or 2 tsp sugar to the steel tumbler as shown in the picture.
10. Strain and pour hot milk into the tumbler and now add the coffee brew as shown below in the pictures.
How to serve this Coffee:
11. It is usually served in Dabarah after pouring back and forth several times with your hands.
A term related to the distance between the pouring and receiving cup leads to another name for the drink, “Meter Coffee”.
12. This is the traditional way as it helps in mixing sugar, milk, and coffee well.
13. It also allows you to cool down the piping hot coffee and when served you can drink this coffee sip by sip.
14. Finally, coffee is ready to serve, Have it immediately when it is hot and frothy.
Recipe Notes:
- Filter Coffee will taste much better when made with thick milk and not skim milk.
- Use hot water for brewing the coffee and hot milk to prepare this coffee.
- Pouring coffee from the Dawara to the tumbler 2-3 times will give a nice frothy filter coffee. This process will also help to melt the sugar.
- For making it vegan, You can use almond or coconut milk.
Other Beverages:
Banarasi Hajmola Chai
Ginger Tea
Almond and Saffron Milk
Masala Chaas
Apple Cinnamon Iced Tea
South Indian Filter Coffee
Ingredients
- 4 tsp ground coffee
- 1 cup of water
- 2-3 tsp sugar or as per the taste
- 1 cup full-fat milk
Instructions
- How to filter the coffee:
- Firstly, Keep coffee powder, filter coffee steel device, and water ready.
- 2 Now place the top vessel of the steel filter on the lower one.
- Add 4 tsp of ground coffee on the top vessel and place it in the vessel with the perforations.
- Now place the disc with the handle on the ground coffee, pressing it lightly.
- Boil water on the stove and pour it in the top steel vessel as shown in the picture.
- Cover it with a lid and wait for 10 minutes.
- Finally, after 10 minutes you will see the coffee decoction in the lower vessel.
- How to make the Coffee :
- Heat milk in a pan and bring it to a boil.
- Now add 1 or 2 tsp sugar in the steel tumbler as shown in the picture.
- Strain and pour hot milk into the tumbler and now add the coffee brew.
- How to serve this Coffee:
- Filter Coffee is usually served in Dabarah after pouring back and forth several times with your hands.
- This is the traditional way as it helps in mixing sugar, milk, and coffee well.
- It also allows you to cool down the piping hot coffee and when served you can drink the filter coffee sip by sip
Nutrition
Enjoy your Kaapi!
Finally, please do check these recipes from my blog:
Chocolate Milkshake
Kesar Badam Milk
Oreo Milkshake
