Café De Olla

Cafe de Olla in glass coffee cups with few ingredients and biscuits around.

Café De Olla is a traditional Mexican coffee cherished for its unique combination of sweetness, strength, and mild spice. Popular during the morning or in the evening, it provides a cozy warmth that's particularly cherished during the festive season and cold winter months.

Course Coffee, Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 56

Author Sangeetha Vel

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

US Customary - Metric

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.

Notes

Here are some tips to perfect your Café De Olla:

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

Visit the Recipe

Want to view the full post? Simply scan the QR code with your camera and tap the link.