My Recipe For Masala Coffee

While I was working on this post, I started to wonder who discovered coffee?? It is such an important part of my life- I had to know. I sort of had an idea that it started in Ethiopia and spread from there but didn’t know that it started as early as the 10th century! What an old tradition it is- when I started thinking how many conversations I have had over a cup of joe- it’s no wonder people love to gather over coffee! For me it’s the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I look forward to before I go to sleep. I don’t need to have my it as soon as I wake up- I like to savor it, sit down, relax and enjoy the delicious cup. I get breakfast ready for my daughter and take her to school in the morning- I then come home and make my coffee and breakfast. The whole time I am going through the morning mundane rituals, all I can think about is sitting down by myself and enjoying my big cup of goodness! I usually stick to one cup a day- once in a while- okay a few times a week, I indulge in a second cup.- it usually is a cup of cappuccino. I still dream of that perfect cup of cappuccino I had in Italy years ago and can’t wait to replicate that experience this summer when we go to Umbria! What would life be without the pleasures of good food and drink!!

I was talking about sometimes drinking a second cup- well, another favorite kind of coffee I have is Masala Coffee. Many moons ago I used to work as a hostess for an Indian restaurant and a waiter there introduced me to this concoction. It is made out of instant coffee but not just any instant coffee- it is one that is made in the south of India and it has chicory in it (The brand is Bru). It gives the coffee an amazing woody flavor.  This drink also has cardamom in it- which is usually in Masala Tea but you will be surprised how well it goes in coffee as well! I grew up drinking instant coffee in India. The northern part of India is mostly into tea and some instant coffee, but the south if heavily into brewed coffee- it’s delicious- I always have it when I visit a south Indian restaurant! In the north, we would boil a combination milk and water and then mix it with an instant coffee and sugar mixture.  It would be sweet, creamy and frothy- brings back lots of memories. Another way I have instant coffee is by adding cinnamon. It makes a delicious Mexican inspired coffee- it is truly delicious!  I guess sky is the limit when it comes to flavoring your coffee with different spices- cardamom and cinnamon are my favorite…

Try making this kind of coffee- it is a nice change of pace or a great addition to your daily repertoire. I bet it would be delicious chilled as well now that warm weather is upon us- I will try it and report back!

• 3 ounce water
• 3 ounce 1% milk
• 1 teaspoon half and half
• 3/4 teaspoon instant coffee (preferably Bru)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cardamom pod, crushed

In a small saucepan, add water, milk, half and half, instant coffee, sugar and cardamom. Bring to boil, mix well to make sure the sugar and coffee have dissolved. Serve with a savory and sweet snack.