Café de Olla, meaning 'pot coffee' in Spanish, is a beloved traditional Mexican coffee beverage that dates back to the Mexican Revolution. This comforting drink was originally prepared by women who accompanied the soldiers, using clay pots to brew coffee with cinnamon and piloncillo, an unrefined cane sugar.
The key to an authentic Café de Olla lies in its ingredients and preparation method. We use dark roast Mexican coffee beans, ground coarsely for a French press. The coffee is brewed with cinnamon sticks and piloncillo, creating a sweet, spicy, and deeply satisfying drink. The traditional clay pot, or 'olla,' imparts a subtle earthy flavor, but a regular saucepan works well too. This recipe captures the essence of Mexican coffee culture, offering a warm embrace in every sip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Discover why Café de Olla will become your new favorite coffee indulgence:
- Rich, complex flavor: The combination of dark roast coffee, cinnamon, and piloncillo creates a uniquely satisfying taste.
- Easy to prepare: With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can enjoy this authentic Mexican coffee at home.
- Perfect for cold mornings: The warm spices and comforting sweetness make it ideal for chilly days.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the sweetness and spice levels to suit your taste preferences.
- Cultural experience: Immerse yourself in Mexican coffee tradition with every sip.
Authentic Mexican Café de Olla
Equipment
- Medium saucepan or clay pot
- Wooden spoon
- Fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth
- Pitcher or mugs for serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup coarsely ground dark roast Mexican coffee
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup piloncillo sugar (or dark brown sugar)
- Optional: 1 star anise
- Optional: Orange peel
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan or clay pot, combine water, piloncillo sugar, and cinnamon sticks. Add star anise and orange peel if using.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Remove from heat and add the ground coffee.
- Stir gently and let the coffee steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a pitcher or directly into mugs.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with a cinnamon stick.
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