South India – especially Tamil Nadu – is famous for it’s filter coffee. Usually the coffee powder is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans along with 15 to 20% chicory. Our coffee is freshly roasted by Veloria Coffee from a blend of Brazilian and Ethiopian beans with chicory.
Making the decoction
First step of making the coffee is to make the decoction. For this you need a Filter Coffee Maker (you can buy this on Amazon). We typically use 1/2 cup (8 tbsp) of coffee for a strong decoction. Add the coffee powder to the top part of the filter and tamp it down as shown in the video. It should be a bit tightly packed or the decoction will be very watery. Fill to the top with boiling water and cover tightly. It typically takes around 15-20 minutes to brew the decoction.
Making the Coffee
Once the decoction is made, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or enjoy it right away with scalded milk. For each oz of decoction, you should add 3 oz of hot milk. Adjust according to how strong you want it. A bit of sugar enhances the flavor significantly. Pour the decoction into the traditional dabra. Pour the hot milk over it and froth it as shown in the video.
