Here’s a fun little fact about Mexican coffee beans: Over five million or so bags of coffee produced in Mexico is consumed half themselves before selling the rest on, mostly to the USA. Organic coffee is a Mexican specialty and, with most of their beans grown on small farms, you can be assured of a consistent quality without any of the mass-farming additives to dilute the taste. Although the majority of their Arabica coffee beans are grown in the Vera Cruz region of Mexico, it’s the Altura farms in areas like Oaxaca that wow the taste buds of coffee aficionados. That’s why they keep most of it for themselves!
Mexican Coffee Recipe
In Mexico, this is called “Cafe de Olla”. For a special treat, try adding two ounces of Kahlua coffee liqueur to the completed coffee and top with a little whipped cream.
Mixing your spices before you brew can add flavor so easily. This is a particularly sweet way to serve up a cup of coffee, with generous amounts of brown sugar.
Ingredients:
* 2 cups water
* 1/4 cup coarsely ground coffee
* 1 Tablespoon brown sugar or piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar)
* 1 cinnamon stick (4 or 5 inches long)
Put water in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add all ingredients and continue to boil for at least 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand for 5 to 10 more minutes.
Strain and serve.
Now for a dessert style Mexican Coffee, try this recipe:
For a taste reminiscent of a nearby well-known island coffee, try a 100% Oaxaca Pluma coffee and note the smooth flavor, the light body and the slightest hint of nut. Maybe, even a whiff of chocolate in the aroma.
Mexican coffee recipe:
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup chocolate syrup (or 1/3 cup cocoa powder)
* 6 cups boiling water allowed to cool for three minutes
* 2 teaspoon brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 cup ground coffee beans (ground coarse for press pot) – Mexican preferably!
* whipped cream to garnish
Combine the milk, vanilla, chocolate and sugar in a saucepan and heat gently whilst stirring together. Don’t let it boil.
Meanwhile, add the coffee grounds and cinnamon in a French press coffee maker and add the near boiled water to make coffee as usual.
Add the coffee to milk saucepan and mix together. Serve in cappuccino glass cups and add whipped cream and cinnamon sticks to garnish.
Then take the rest of the day off for a siesta.
