Cafe de olla: The Mexican coffee that's better than your morning coffee

Cafe de Olla is a delight not only for its flavor but also for its aroma. It is a sweet coffee prepared with various spices, ideal for serving with sweet bread. Cafe de Olla is traditionally made in a clay pot, but a thick-bottomed pot also works.

How to Make Cafe de Olla

Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add water, orange peel, cinnamon, piloncillo( brown sugar), and cloves(optional). Bring to a slow boil, stirring to dissolve the piloncillo, for about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, add the ground coffee, mix, and cover the pot. Let steep for 5 minutes or longer if you want more flavor. Strain the coffee through a fine-mesh strainer into cups and serve.

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Recipe

Easy Cafe de Olla

by Camila Benitez

Cafe de Olla is a delight not only for its flavor but also for its aroma. It is a sweet coffee prepared with various spices, ideal for serving with sweet bread. Cafe de Olla is traditionally made in a clay pot, but a thick-bottomed pot also works.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 10

Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

• medium saucepan
• Strainer
• Measuring cups

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 5 cups (1-¼ liter) water
• ▢ ⅔ cup ground dark roasted coffee , medium to coarse grind
• ▢ 75 g (⅓) piloncillo or brown sugar, to taste depending on how sweet you like
• ▢ 1 large Mexican cinnamon stick
• ▢ 1 whole clove
• ▢ 1- star anise
• ▢ one 3- inch piece orange peel

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add water, orange peel, cinnamon, piloncillo (or brown sugar), and cloves, and star anise. Bring to a slow boil, stirring to dissolve the piloncillo.
• For about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the ground coffee, mix and cover the pot. let steep for 5 minutes or longer if you want more flavor. Strain the coffee through a fine-mesh strainer into cups and served.

Notes

How to Store and Reheat

To store: It can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

To reheat: In a saucepan over low heat until thoroughly heated; do not boil. After that, remove it quickly to serve.

Make-Ahead

You can prepare the mixture by mixing cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange peel in advance. Store the mixture in an airtight container until ready to use it. You can brew the coffee in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you're ready to serve, reheat the coffee and mix it with the spice mixture and piloncillo.

You can prepare the piloncillo or brown sugar syrup in advance by dissolving the sweetener in water over low heat until it forms a syrup. Let it cool and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. You can also freeze the coffee in ice cube trays and use them to make iced Cafe de Olla. This is a great way to make Cafe de Olla ahead of time for a summer gathering.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Easy Cafe de Olla

Amount per Serving

Calories

30

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

0.03

g

0

%

Saturated Fat

 

0.003

g

0

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.004

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

0.01

g

Sodium

 

8

mg

0

%

Potassium

 

21

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

 

8

g

3

%

Fiber

 

0.2

g

1

%

Sugar

 

7

g

8

%

Protein

 

0.1

g

0

%

Vitamin A

 

1

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

0.03

mg

0

%

Calcium

 

14

mg

1

%

Iron

 

0.1

mg

1

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.