Filter Coffee / Authentic South Indian Kaapi

5 from 59 votes

Filter Coffee / Authentic South Indian Kaapi

Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavors of Kaapi, also known as filter coffee, the most common and beloved beverage in South Indian households. For many South Indians, a strong cup of filter coffee is an essential part of their daily routine, providing a refreshing and invigorating start to the day. Made with a special blend of coffee and chicory, brewed using a traditional metal filter pot, and served with frothy hot milk in a steel tumbler and davara, Kaapi is a true delight.

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Gluten Free, Hindu, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 125kcal

Author: Shilpa Kerur

Equipment

Ingredients

3 tablespoon coffee powder
¾-1 cup water (depending on the size of the filter pot)
1½ cups whole milk
2 teaspoon sugar (adjust as per taste)

Instructions

Making the decoction:

Assemble the top and bottom compartments of the coffee filter pot. Add the coffee powder to the top compartment.
Put the disc (plunger) on top of the coffee powder and press gently.
Meanwhile, take water in a saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil.
Carefully pour boiling water on the disc in a thin stream.
Cover the lid of the filter pot and the decoction brew and drip slowly to the lower compartment. This will take 10-15 minutes.
The water will drip from the top compartment and the decoction is collected in the lower compartment of the filter pot.

Making Kaapi:

Take milk in a saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat.
Take two tumblers (or cups) and add one teaspoon of sugar to each tumbler.
Add the required amount of decoction (3-4 tablespoons depending on preference). For a lighter coffee, add less decoction and for a strong coffee, add more.
Pour hot milk to the tumbler in a thin stream.
Pull the coffee a few times to make it frothy by pouring it back and forth in the tumbler and davara (bowl).
Serve hot immediately.

Notes

When placing the disc (plunger) in the filter pot, do not apply a lot of pressure. Place the disc and press gently to flatten the powder. If you press too hard, the decoction will take a long time to steep.

Do not heat the decoction over direct heat, as it changes the taste and makes the coffee bitter. To reheat any leftover decoction, place it in a tumbler and put it in hot water for a few minutes.

Nutrition