Spanish coffee called Café de Olla has a lot of history and tastes great. It smells good and is warm. It is made with dark coffee, cinnamon, and piloncillo, which is raw whole cane sugar. It has a sweet and spicy flavour.
Café de Olla is a warm and comfortable drink that is often served in earthen mugs. It’s great for cold mornings or as a pick-me-up in the afternoon. A big part of Mexican society, especially in the countryside, where it’s seen as a sign of friendliness and welcome.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 3-4 tbsp coarsely ground Mexican coffee (or any dark roast coffee)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1-2 pieces piloncillo (about 1/2 cup) or dark brown sugar (as a substitute)
- 2-3 cloves (optional)
- 1 slice of orange peel (optional, for extra fragrance)
Instructions
Water that is boiling and scents
If you want to use cloves, orange peel, and a cinnamon stick, put them in a medium-sized pot along with water. Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil while shaking it every now and then to break up the piloncillo. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes after it boils. This will let the cinnamon and sugar flavour the water.
Put in the coffee
Add the roughly ground coffee and stir. Let it cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. The amount of coffee grounds you use can change how strong the coffee is, but it’s usually made strong.
Strain the coffee
Once you’re happy with how strong the coffee is, take the pot off the heat. Take out the coffee grinds, cinnamon stick, and any other spices by straining the coffee into mugs.
Serve
Do not cool down your Café de Olla. For a real touch, you can add an extra cinnamon stick or a slice of orange peel on top. Some people like their coffee with a little milk or cream, but usually it is drunk black.
Also See: Pork Chops Al Pastor
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| – Fiber | 0 g |
| – Sugars | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Potassium | 116 mg |
| Caffeine | 95 mg |
What is piloncillo, and can I use something else instead?
Piloncillo is unrefined sugar that is often used in Mexican food. It comes in blocks that are shaped like cones. It tastes rich and sweet, like syrup. If you can’t find piloncillo, you can use raw sugar or dark brown sugar instead, but the taste might not be the same.
I don’t have a pot, but I want to make Café de Olla.
Some people use a pot to make coffee, but you can also use a French press or a coffee machine. To get the same result, heat the piloncillo and spices in the water first, then pour the hot water over the coffee grounds and let them steep.
Can I change how sweet Café de Olla is?
Yes, you can change how much piloncillo or sugar you use to suit your tastes. If you want your coffee to be sweeter, add more piloncillo. If you want it to be less sweet, add less.
Can I make Café de Olla that is cold?
Yes, you can put Café de Olla in the fridge and serve it with ice. The cold version isn’t as popular as the hot one, but it still tastes great. Make the coffee, let it cool, and then serve it with milk and ice.