November 30, 2022
Coffee has traveled far distances from its origins in the Ethiopian Plateau. From Ottoman coffee roasters to European explorers and modern-day farmers worldwide, coffee has grown to become a shared experience for people in all corners of the globe.
Today’s rich diversity in bean variety and blends has been explored by culinary publications, research institutions, and coffee companies, but there also exists a rich diversity in coffee recipes.
As coffee made its way into various cultures, it was inevitably transformed and customized using local ingredients. Here are nine unique recipes from across the globe that highlight all of coffee’s delicious possibilities.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee
Westerners often like a cup of coffee with their morning eggs, but this Vietnamese recipe incorporates some of the eggs into the brew.
Egg yolks and condensed milk are whipped together until it forms a thick consistency like cake batter. You can test your custard’s consistency by placing a small spoonful of the mixture on top of a glass of water. If the custard floats, it’s good to go.
Vietnamese coffee is typically made with Robusta beans and a metal filter known as a phin, but feel free to brew your coffee to your taste. A
pour over coffee is usually the closest equivalent to the traditional Vietnamese recipe. Once your coffee is ready, carefully spoon your egg custard onto your brew and enjoy.
Cafecito
In Miami or the streets of Havana, a cafecito means one thing and one thing only: Cuban coffee. This recipe calls for rich espresso, traditionally made using a Stovetop Moka. As you brew your espresso over medium heat, leave the top lid open and keep an eye out for the first few drops of coffee.
As the coffee brews, pour a quarter cup of white sugar into a spouted vessel like a mug or measuring cup. Once the first few drizzles of espresso begin to fill your Stovetop Moka, immediately pour a splash of the concentrated coffee over the sugar.
Return the Stovetop Moka to the heat and let it finish brewing. Next, begin to whip the espresso and sugar with a spoon to create a foam. It will feel very coarse at first, but continue stirring. After a minute of constant stirring, a beige foam will foam. Spoon the foam into six espresso cups and pour your brewed coffee on top. Afterward, enjoy with a pastry.
Cafe De Olla
This Mexican coffee recipe is sweet, spicy, and a delicious start to every morning. It also happens to be very easy to prepare. Fill a medium pot with roughly six cups of water and bring it to a boil. Next, carefully add 1-2
cinnamon sticks, one
star anise, and six ounces of piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) to the boiling water. Piloncillo is commonly found in Latin American food aisles or Mexican grocers but can be substituted with brown sugar.
Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the piloncillo has fully dissolved, and then lower your stove to medium heat. Next, add six tablespoons of
ground coffee to the pot and brew for five minutes. Strain your cafe de olla and enjoy all of its spiced, aromatic flavors.
Mazagran
Few coffee drinks are intended for summertime, but the mazagran is perfect on a sunny day. This lemon coffee drink originated in northern Africa, invented by the French, but is now very popular in Portugal. Brew espresso on your espresso machine or Stovetop Moka and sweeten it with the sweetener of your choosing. White sugar,
honey, or agave are all suitable options.
After sweetening your coffee, allow the double shot to cool before pouring it over ice. If you’re worried about the ice diluting your brew, make coffee ice cubes ahead of time and use those instead. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto your iced coffee and enjoy it poolside.
Moroccan Coffee
This recipe throws some of the spice cabinet into your coffee brew. Using a
coffee grinder, ground your coffee beans with small quantities of spices to create an intensely flavorful cup. Common ingredients in Moroccan coffee include
black pepper,
cardamom,
nutmeg, and
cloves, with exact amounts varying depending on the portion size and specific recipe.
Once the spice and coffee mixture has been thoroughly pulverized, brew your cup in a
French Press or using the Pour Over method instead of an electric coffee machine. Electric machines can get damaged if coming into contact with ingredients besides ground coffee. Your Moroccan coffee mixture can also be made in bulk ahead of time but should be stored in dry, cool environments that are free of direct light.
Greek Frappé
Whipped coffee has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, but the Greek Frappé has been a classic in its native country for decades. Each component of this recipe can be adjusted for personal taste, making it an easy one to master at home.
Pour your preferred quantity of instant coffee and white sugar into a
spouted vessel with some water. A good rule is to add just enough water to cover the coffee, and then add an extra tablespoon. Using an electric frother, whip the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it becomes a thick, foamy texture. Pour the thick coffee over a glass of ice and top off with cold water. If you want your frappé on the creamier side, feel free to substitute the water with cold milk.
Yuenyueng
Hong Kong is known for its milk tea, and yuenyueng is the perfect marriage between this tradition and coffee culture. For this recipe, you’ll only need to combine drip coffee, milk tea, and ice. Brew four tablespoons of the
black tea of your choosing and mix with a can of condensed milk for texture and sweetness. Next, pour a 1:1 ratio of drip coffee and milk tea over ice, and enjoy.
