How to Coffee

Illustration Credit: Sana Kewalramani

For almost every college student, a day is rather incomplete without the invigorating smell of freshly brewed coffee. On ordinary days, Saxbys and Starbucks have been your best friends. But, as we wander through highly uncertain times amidst the lockdown, those are no longer viable options. Through my research for this article, I  was absolutely amazed by the wide variety of coffee recipes that exist around the globe. Using the humble cocoa beans at its base, different cultures around the world combine numerous ingredients together to weave unique coffee recipes that tell their own tales. 

Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona Coffee is a rich, velvety fusion of just four simple ingredients – instant coffee, sugar, hot water, and milk. Also familiar as Pheti Huin coffee (or beaten coffee) in Hindi, Dalgona Coffee is currently a viral trend on social media. It looks absolutely gorgeous and delicious but actually very straightforward to make.

How to Make It:

• Take equal portions of instant coffee, sugar and hot water
• Beat the mixture until it becomes creamy or foamy
• Place the creamy coffee mixture on top of milk
• Top it off with cocoa powder or whatever makes you happy!

The Affogato

While some people debate whether the Affogato is a drink or dessert, I say enjoy it as long as it tingles your taste buds! The Affogato, which translates as “drowned” in Italian, is a classic Italian combo of espresso and gelato where the humble coffee beans are beautified by a wonderful scoop of ice cream.

How to Make It:

• Place 2 small scoops of gelato (or regular ice cream) in a coffee cup
• Pour a shot of espresso (or 3 tablespoon of strong coffee) into the cup
• Top with chocolate chips, caramel sauce or whatever whets your morning appetite.

Ca Phe Trung

Now, get ready for something much different from your regular coffee! Ca Phe Trung is commonly known as Vietnamese egg coffee. When you try it for the first time, this unique coffee recipe can turn your morning coffee-making experience into an exciting adventure. 

How to Make It:

• Brew a cup of dark coffee (typically three teaspoons of coffee powder)
• Extract the yolk of one egg and add it to two teaspoons of condensed milk
• Beat the egg yolk and condensed milk mixture until it becomes frothy 
• Add a tablespoon of the coffee while you beat the mixture
• Place the frothy egg yolk and condensed milk mixture on top of the remaining coffee

Qahwa

Coffee is energizing on its own; but, add spices like cardamom and cloves in the mix and you have one of the most rejuvenating morning drinks imaginable. Further, add saffron and rose water to it, and you have got yourself a roller-coaster of flavors. Qahwa is the Arabic word for coffee and is typically served in a dallah, which is a traditional Arabic coffee pot.

How to Make It:

• Add ground, green coffee beans into boiling water
• Add one crushed cardamom pod and five cloves into the 
• Add saffron and rosewater to taste
• Filter the coffee with a strainer and enjoy!

Honestly, it is a treat in itself to learn about coffee which will tantalize your morning coffee cravings. As you try your best to cope indoors, a little twist in your morning coffee might help you enliven your spirit.