Indian filter coffee
Indian filter coffee is a coffee drink made by mixing frothed and boiled milk with an infusion obtained by percolating finely ground coffee powder in a traditional Indian filter. The drink, known as Kaapi, is a phonetic implementation of the South Indian word for "coffee". The drink is also known as Madras filter coffee, Madras kaapi, Kumbakonam degree coffee, Mylapore filter coffee, or Mysore filter coffee. Outside of India, the term "filter coffee" may refer to drip brewed coffee, which is a distinct form of preparing coffee.History of Indian filtered offee:
Indian filter coffee was popularized in Indian coffee houses run by the Indian Coffee Board since the mid-1940s. It became a drink consumed by millions after the birth of the more popular Indian coffee houses in the mid-1950s.
Indian filter coffee migrated overseas to Malaysia and Singapore in the early 20th century, where Kopila (pulled coffee) is a close cousin of Madras filter coffee which was introduced by yards/meters at roadside neighborhood coffee shops originally run by Indian Muslims.
Beans of Indian filter coffee:
Coffee has been grown in India since the 1600s, when Muslim saint Baba Budan first brought coffee to India from Yemen. The most commonly used coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. They are grown in different states in southern India, such as Karnataka (Kodagu, Chikkamagalur and Hassan), Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris district, Yercaud and Kodaikanal), Kerala (Malabar region) and Andhra Pradesh (Araku Valley).
Indian filter coffee powder:
The beans are usually medium roasted and ground and mixed with roasted chicory. The final coffee powder composition is usually equal parts Plantation A and Peaberry, with 10% to 30% chicory added to create a distinct aroma, thickness and color in the final brew.
South Indian filter coffee maker:
South Indian filter coffee is brewed with a metal device that resembles two cylindrical cups, one of which has a perforated bottom that nests on top of a "tumbler" cup, leaving enough space underneath to hold the brewed coffee. The upper cup has two removable parts: a perforated pressing disc with a central lever handle and a lid. (A similar device is used to brew Vietnamese coffee.)
The upper cup is filled with freshly ground coffee. The grounds are then compressed (tamped) by a disc that has been ground to the grounds into an even layer across the perforated bottom of the cup. The coarser the coffee is ground, the more it must be tamped to get the same amount of extraction. With the pressing disc remaining in place, the upper cup is nested on top of the glass. Boiling water is poured in. The lid is placed on top, and the utensil slowly drips the brewed coffee into the bottom. The tumbler retains the hot water longer, allowing the water to dissolve and extract more of the coffee grounds.
Indian filter coffee recipe:
Traditionally, coffee is consumed by adding 1-2 tablespoons of brewed coffee to a cup of boiling milk, with a dash of sugar added. Coffee is drunk from a glass (although there is an English name for this vessel, it seems to be the most common one used for this type of vessel), but is usually cooled first in a dabarah (also known as a davarah in some regions): a thick-walled metal saucer.
Coffee is usually drunk after pouring it back and forth between the coffee pot and the cup in a huge arcing motion. This serves several purposes: to thoroughly mix the ingredients (including sugar); to cool the hot coffee to a sipping temperature; and most importantly, to aerate the mixture without introducing additional water (such as using a steam wand to froth cappucinos). An anecdote related to the distance between the pouring and receiving cups led to the appellation of another drink, "Meter Coffee".
Coffee Culture:
Coffee is a cultural hallmark of all the South Indian states of India, such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala. Any visitor is usually offered a cup of coffee or tea. Coffee was first introduced to South India by Baba Budan in the 17th century and became very popular under British rule. Until the mid-20th century, traditional households used granulated sugar, and used raw sugar or honey in their coffee. Filter coffee is currently enjoying a high profile in 90s culture around the world.
