What is Cafe de Olla? A Traditional Mexican Coffee Drink

If you’ve ever been to Mexico or visited a Mexican restaurant, you may have come across a unique coffee drink called café de olla. This traditional Mexican coffee has been enjoyed for generations and has become a beloved part of Mexican cuisine.

Café de olla is made by brewing coffee with cinnamon, cloves, and piloncillo, a type of raw sugar. The coffee is traditionally prepared in an olla de barro, a clay pot that gives the coffee a distinct earthy flavor. The drink is served in jarritos de barro, small clay mugs that are also used for other Mexican beverages.

Preparation and Ingredients

If you’re interested in making Café de Olla, here are the ingredients and steps you’ll need to follow.

Recipe Essentials

The primary ingredients for Café de Olla are water, cinnamon sticks, piloncillo (a type of brown sugar), and ground coffee. Some people also add star anise and orange peel to the mix. You’ll also need a saucepan, a strainer, and cheesecloth to strain the coffee.

Cooking Method

To make Café de Olla, bring water, cinnamon sticks, and piloncillo to a boil in a medium pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add coffee grounds and bring to a boil again. Turn off heat and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer to remove the coffee grounds and spices.

Nutritional Information

A serving of Café de Olla typically contains around 60-80 calories, depending on the amount of sugar added. The drink is low in fat and protein but high in carbohydrates due to the sugar content. While it’s not the healthiest beverage, it can be a nice treat to enjoy on occasion.

Café de Olla has an earthy flavor with warming spices. It’s a perfect drink to enjoy during cold weather. You can also add spirits like rum or Kahlúa to create delicious cocktails. If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge and enjoy it cold or reheated later. Overall, Café de Olla is a delicious and unique coffee beverage that you should definitely try making at home.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Beverage Options

Café de Olla is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are some variations to try:

• Iced Coffee: Chill the coffee and serve it over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
• Latte: Add steamed milk and a drizzle of honey for a cozy latte.
• Mexican Spiced Coffee: Experiment with different spices like nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom to create your own unique blend.
• Cocktails: Use Café de Olla as a base for cocktails. Try adding rum, tequila, or Kahlua for a boozy twist.
• Cold Brew: Brew Café de Olla using cold water and let it steep in the fridge overnight for a smooth and refreshing cold brew.

Shopping Tips

If you want to make Café de Olla at home, here are some shopping tips:

• Mexican Grocery Stores: Look for Mexican grocery stores in your area. They will likely carry the traditional ingredients like piloncillo and cinnamon sticks.
• Clay Pots: If you want to make Café de Olla in a traditional clay pot, you can find them at specialty kitchen stores or online.

Leftover Utilization

If you have leftover Café de Olla, don’t let it go to waste. Here are some ideas for using up the leftovers:

• Chocolate: Use the coffee as a base for a Mexican hot chocolate. Add cocoa powder, milk, and a pinch of chili powder for a spicy twist.
• Marinade: Use the coffee as a marinade for meat. The spices will add a unique flavor to your dish.
• Syrup: Reduce the coffee down to a syrup and use it to sweeten desserts like ice cream or brownies.