Café De Olla is a beloved Mexican coffee that's as rich in flavor as it is in tradition. It's made by brewing medium roast Mexican coffee grounds in a traditional clay pot, called an 'Olla De Barro'. This method gives it a unique, earthy taste that sets it apart from other coffees.
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The coffee is sweetened with Piloncillo, a dark brown sugar, and spiced with cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. These ingredients create a warm and slightly spicy flavor that perfectly complements the robustness of the coffee. It's a comforting drink that's especially popular during the chilly winter months and festive occasions like Christmas.
This classic beverage is a staple in Mexican culture, found in local eateries, authentic restaurants, and household kitchens, especially during festive seasons and cold weather.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Café De Olla, you'll need a few staple items. Here's a list of what you'll need, all of which are easily available at most grocery stores:
- Mexican Coffee Grounds: Opt for a medium-roast to capture the authentic flavor. If unavailable, any medium roast coffee will provide similar results.
- Piloncillo/Panela: Use this dark cane sugar for a rich sweetness. If it’s not available, substitute with jaggery or palm sugar, which you can find in Indian grocery stores.
- Spices: Mix in cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to spice the coffee. Feel free to adjust these to taste; cinnamon is essential, but you can skip star anise and cloves if preferred.
- Water: Brew with filtered water to ensure the highest quality of your coffee.
How to Make Café De Olla at Home?
Making Café De Olla is simple and straightforward. Follow my step-by-step guide, complete with photos and a video, to easily recreate this traditional Mexican coffee in your own kitchen. Let’s get started!
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Café De Olla
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Ground Coffee, medium roast, use Mexican coffee grounds for authentic taste
- ¼ cup Dark Brown Cane Sugar, Piloncillo/Panela, I've used crushed dark brown cane sugar here
- 1 Mexican Cinnamon Stick
- 2 Cloves
- 1 Star Anise
- 4 cups Water
Instructions
Making Cafe De Olla
- Start by adding water to a saucepan. Add Mexican cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and Piloncillo (dark brown sugar).
- Heat the mixture until it boils and the sugar dissolves. This usually takes 2 to 3 minutes with crushed brown sugar, but whole Piloncillo/Panela may take longer. Stir occasionally to help the sugar dissolve evenly.
- Once the sugar has melted, turn off the heat and add the ground coffee, stirring well to combine.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the coffee steep for 3 to 5 minutes. For a stronger flavor, you can steep it longer, up to 8 minutes.
- Finally, remove the coffee from the heat and strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cloth into a serving glass. For an extra touch, garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Serving
- Enjoy this Café De Olla (Mexican Spiced Coffee) as a perfect companion to your breakfast or as a relaxing evening drink. It's especially comforting in winter, serving as a warm treat to keep the chill away.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Olla De Barro: This traditional Mexican clay pot is essential for capturing the authentic flavor of Café De Olla, as it imparts an earthy note to the coffee. I didn't have one, so I used a regular saucepan, which also works well to create a similar spiced coffee experience.
- Piloncillo/Panela: This unrefined dark brown cane sugar adds a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the coffee. If you can't find Piloncillo or Panela, jaggery or palm sugar are excellent substitutes available in Indian grocery stores.
- Spices: Traditional recipes call for Mexican cinnamon sticks, but adding star anise and cloves can deepen the flavors and enhance the drink's authenticity. Feel free to customize the spices to match your taste preferences.
- Mexican Coffee: For the most authentic flavor, use Mexican coffee grounds. If these aren’t available, any medium roast coffee grounds can achieve a similar taste profile.
- Grind Size: If you’re grinding your own coffee, aim for a coarse grind similar to that used for French press coffee. This ensures that the coffee flavors are well-extracted without becoming bitter.
- Sweetness Adjustment: After brewing, you can adjust the sweetness level to your preference. Some might prefer it less sweet, especially if they’re trying Café De Olla for the first time. This allows everyone to enjoy the coffee just the way they like it.
- Steeping Time: Tailor the steeping time to how strong you prefer your coffee. For a lighter brew, steep for 3 to 5 minutes, but if you prefer it stronger, aim for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Reusable Filters: If you prefer, consider using a cloth filter as traditionally used in Mexican kitchens. It can help strain out fine particles better than a metal filter, providing a clearer coffee.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Storage Suggestions
Café De Olla is best enjoyed fresh and hot for the optimal taste. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, they can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. For a delightful summer option, serve the chilled coffee over ice to transform it into a refreshing cold brew.
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