Filter Coffee is a coffee that is unique to India and loved by millions. Filter for coffee is the differentiating factor that makes this coffee stand out in taste from the rest! Here I am sharing the traditional filter coffee recipe with step by step pictures.
Filter Coffee is known by different names like filter kaapi, degree coffee etc. Making south indian filter coffee isn’t a big deal but to get the perfection sure comes only by practise. This popular coffee is served in many restuarants, hotels, also in street side shops.
I am totally an instant coffee lover but can have this once in a while. It is always ammas department as she loves it and says she can’t proceed her daily chores without her morning dose. Edited to add : Now I have become a fan of this coffee too .
Check out my kumbakonam filter coffee here.
About Filter Coffee
Filter Coffee is a coffee made by mixing boiled milk with decoction that’s prepared with a coffee filter and served in a metal tumbler & dabarah. It is perhaps the lifeline of most of the families in South India to start the day with. While a perfect coffee can light up the day, getting addicted to it and slightest difference in taste might pull your day! Also known as kaapi, it has marked its presence in lot of homes particularly at homes in retirement even though it is slightly difficult to prepare than the instant ones. The very taste of it along with vada / bajji / bonda or with Sweet & Kaaram (SKC) can make a Hi-Tea party just perfect!
Filter coffee is served in metal dabarah & tumbler set and my mom has a very lovely collection of them in steel and brass. Gugu can identify the taste of the filter coffee and prefers it to the instant coffee. The taste of this coffee purely depends on the quality of coffee powder, so choose a good one.
Dabarah and tumbler: Filter coffee is served authentically in a metal dabarah / davara and a tumbler set. Commonly it is served in stainless steel dabarah and tumbler at homes. Copper and aluminium sets are also available in the market. Pouring coffee to and from in dabarah & tumbler gives a frothy top which makes it more appealing.
Filter Coffee Ingredients
- Filter Coffee Powder: Coffee powder that is available in stores is fine for making this coffee. In the market we have Peaberry (PB) variety commonly with 20% added chicory gives a good filter coffee. Coffee powder of most of the brands, Café day, Narasus, Cothas, Kannan Jubilee, Levista, Chickmagalur, Padma Coffee, Gayathri Coffee sell them fresh in the above mix. All of them can make a good aromatic, tasty hot coffee! My suggestion is try each of them which is available in small quantities with different levels of chicory and purchase that brand regularly which suits your taste most!
- Milk : Good if you have access to fresh milk. Store bought milk is also fine. I have tried with both fresh milk as well as tonned milk for making this coffee.
- Secret Ingredient: Add a very little pinch of salt to make it even better! I learnt this from my hubby who learned this from a popular restaurant which is famous for filter coffee.
Filter for coffee
Filter for coffee is shown in the picture below and we make decoction for this coffee with the filter. You will need this to make this tasty hot beverage.It has two compartments and a disc for pressing. The upper compartment holds the ground coffee powder and it has holes that let the brewed decoction drip into the lower compartment. The lower compartment collects the strong decoction. The disc is used for making the ground coffee powder even in the upper compartment and aids in pushing the ground powder & water to the lower compartment.
Learn the making and enjoy making it every day!
If you have any more questions about this filter coffee do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe
Filter coffee | How to make filter coffee
Equipment
- Coffee Filter
Ingredients
For the decoction:
- 3 tsp coffee powder
- 1 cup water
For the coffee:
- 1/4 cup strong decoction adjust according to the strongness you want
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp sugar
Note* : This decoction can make around 2-3 cups of coffee depending on the strongness you want your coffee to be.
Instructions
- First add 3 tsps of filter coffee powder to the filter container. Allow water to boil.Add the boiled water.
- Add the top chamber of the filter. As you see the decoction drops and gets collected in the lower part of the filter as shown. After adding water close and keep it undisturbed for 10mins until all the decoction drops down.
- Add sugar in the serving tumbler. Then add decoction may be 2- 3 tsp(depends on how strong you need your coffee to be). Boil milk.
- Then strain milk in the same tumbler. Pour from the dabarah to the tumbler for once or twice until frothy.
- Filter coffee is ready serve it hot and frothy. We always serve filter coffee in a set of dabarah tumbler as shown in the pics.
Notes
- Once the decoction is added to the milk and coffee is made, do not heat. If you want to heat then place the coffee tumbler inside a container which has boiling water.
- Always froth the coffee by pouring back and forth into the davara tumbler and then serve.
- Make sure to buy good quality coffee powder.
- Add more sugar if you like.
- Add coffee decoction as per your taste, add little more if you like your coffee strong.
- You can refrigerate the decoction for 2 days.
- We can take even 2 decoction by adding in little more water once the 1 st decoction is taken and used. The 2nd decoction is not very strong.
- If you use decoction stored in fridge, heat the decoction separately by placing it inside a container which has boiling water.
How to make Filter Coffee
- First add 3 tsps of filter coffee powder to the filter container. Allow water to boil. Add the boiled water.
- Add the top chamber of the filter. As you see the decoction drops and gets collected in the lower part of the filter as shown. After adding water close and keep it undisturbed for 10mins until all the decoction drops down.
- Add sugar in the serving tumbler. Then add decoction may be 2- 3 tsp(depends on how strong you need your coffee to be). Boil milk.
- Then strain milk in the same tumbler. Pour from the tawara to the tumbler for once or twice until frothy.
Filter coffee is ready serve it hot and frothy. Serve it in a set of tawara tumbler as shown in the pics.
Expert Tips
- Once the decoction is added to the milk and coffee is made, do not heat. If you want to heat then place the coffee tumbler inside a container which has boiling water.
- Always froth the coffee by pouring back and forth into the davara tumbler and then serve.
- Make sure to buy good quality coffee powder.
- Add more sugar if you like.
- Add coffee decoction as per your taste, add little more if you like your coffee strong.
- You can refrigerate the decoction for 2 days.
- We can take even 2 decotion by adding in little more water once the 1 st decoction is taken and used. The 2nd decoction is not very strong.
- If you use decoction stored in fridge, heat the decoction separately by placing it inside a container which has boiling water.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
Serve filter coffee hot in the morning and evening authentically in a metal dabarah & tumbler set. It goes well with a sweet and Kaaram (Savory) and widely called as SKC (Sweet Kaaram Coffee) at hotels & south indian homes! It also goes well with Vada, Bajji, Bonda, Paneer 65, French fries also as an accompaniment for a Hi-Tea.
When you are busy to find time for preparing this coffee in your routine, be sure not to miss it in the weekends! We deserve something special in weekends! Don’t we?
Decoction storage: Prepare decoction such that it is consumed in whole after preparation. 3 tbsps of coffee powder will yield about 2-3 cups of coffee depending on how strong the coffee you want it to be. If you are left with excess decoction, it can be stored for a day when refrigerated. When you are using it you have to heat it by placing in hot water in order to retain the flavour or if it is too much work, you can heat decoction directly but aroma & flavour might be lost.
FAQs
1. What is filter coffee?
Filter Coffee is a coffee made by mixing boiled milk with decoction that’s prepared with a coffee filter and served in a metal tumbler & dabarah.The coffee powder is made by roasting and grinding coffee beans.
2. How to make filter coffee?
a. Add filter coffee powder and boiled water in the upper compartment.
b. Place the disc, close the lid and leave it undisturbed for 15-20mins for decoction to collect in the lower compartment.
c. Add 2-3 tbsps of decoction & sugar to boiled milk to make aromatic & tasty filter coffee.
3. What is the difference between filter coffee and instant coffee?
As the name suggests instant coffee is made instant coffee is made instantly by adding boiled milk to instant coffee powder / granules while filter coffee is made by mixing boiled milk with decoction prepared using a filter. Even the coffee powder is different for both.
4. Is filter for coffee necessary for making this coffee? Where can I get it?
Yes obviously – It is mandatory for making filter coffee and it is available commonly with vessel merchants and online with Amazon, Flipkart, etc.
5. Is the entire decoction used to make one cup of coffee? What can I do with excess decoction?
3 tbsps of coffee powder will yield about 2-3 cups of coffee depending on how strong the coffee you want it to be. You can refrigerate the decoction for a day, however when you are using it you have to heat it by placing in hot water or if it is too much work, you can heat decoction directly but aroma & flavour might be lost.
Cilantro
Absolutely loved the first click, Chuda Chuda Coffee. Just had mine and can`t resist looking at the pic. I make filter coffee daily and I am not a big fan of instant coffee.
sangee vijay
Its been years i had this strong filter cofee, looks…perfect tempting pictures…loved your pictorials too 🙂
Reva
Wow.. this is superb Sharmi..:)) Loved it.. My favourite..
Reva
Anzz
Looks super delicious. Quite tempting since I just gave up coffee..! The first click is amazing, the steam is so evident… a cup of hot coffee..!!
My event- Valentines Day Special
Aarthi
wat a flavourful coffee…
Aarthi
http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com/
Priya's Feast
🙂 my all time fav….luvly pic..
simply.food
What a lovely authentic gadget.
Radhika
Loved the clicks Sharmi especially the steam wafting. amazing.
Tickling Palates
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Pushpa
WhooooW!!!! Am a big fan of filter coffee….missing it so much….Sharmi , Will i get this filter in Kannan Departmental store?
Kurryleaves
i can have this any time a day….amazing clicks,,,love the first and the second last one the most…lovely…
An Open Book
ah such a fav of mine..it comes nowhere close to the cafetiere version i have every day
Suma Gandlur
I don't drink coffee but your pictures are truly tempting.
Vanamala Hebbar
looks super…nice pics
Sushma Madhuchandra
Filter coffee is a must for my lazy afternoons. I put my decotion everyday & love it 😀
Shabitha Karthikeyan
What a coincedence..I was planning to do this post this week !!! I'm not a coffee lover..that too coffee in the US arghhhh. So gave up coffee..But I found a filter coffee powder here which so much like our style and was planning to do this ..Very nice pics !!!
vanaja
which coffee powder is beat in US?
Alpana
Very tempting…….though I'm not a big fan of coffee but this makes me feel like I shd a cup right now. Beautiful pics.
Nalini's Kitchen
Wow!!such a flavorful filter coffee,makes me drool…….
Hema
Love the 'aavi parakkum' coffee, nice clicks, going to have my coffee rightaway..
Cham
I never drink coffee outside of my home because of instant flavor. I am purely addicted to filter coffee but from past few years I moved to tea 🙂 Like the click!
Sobha Shyam
i like filter coffee especially which we used to get in small hotels at my place…nice post Sharmi..
Suja
Love the click..flavorful and refreshing
Vardhini
I have one of these, but I use it only when we have guests 🙂 nice clicks.
Vardhini
Event: New "U" – Healthy Eats
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Namitha
Love it !
Mythreyi
I can totally co-realte to you, Love the steam coming from the glass in the picture…
Oh Dear! I just woke up, and you are making me to have this right now..:-)
-Mythreyi
Yum! Yum! Yum!
Torviewtoronto
yummy looking coffee fabulously taken picture
Gayathri Kumar
Beautiful snaps…
Maayeka
love the coffee!!perfectly done pictorials and beautiful clicks..great post dear!!!
manjooo
that is perfect!!!
uma shankar
superb photos!
DEESHA
wow .. what a post .. I love filter Kaapi .. love the last pic especially
chd
Sharmi
You have posted this post at right time for me. I do not drink coffee and tea. My husband need only filter coffee. Moreover next week i have to make coffee for nearly 20 to 25 members. Can you share me the percentage of coffee powder . Normally at my home 80 and 20 ratio. I would like to know your coffee and chocory ratio. So that you are helping me a lot.
Thanks in advance
Sharmilee! :)
You can use 10-12 tsp of coffee powder, water and milk around 5-6 cups. I have just rounded off, you can adjust according to your taste. But do you have a filter that can hold so much? Else you can make it in batches and refrigerate it. Hope this helps!
Prathima Rao
I can almost get the aroma of freshly brewed coffee here!!!
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
Ramya
Oo my..I am already feeling refreshing by looking at the kaapi clicks!! Lovely clicks as always
faseela
wow….lovely filter coffee….
TheYummyMorsel
I saw your post while sipping my morning coffee! Wow, filter coffee!
TheYummyMorsel
I saw your post while sipping my morning coffee. Wow! filter coffee. Photos is perfect with the bubbles on top.
Srimathi
I am looking at this post on Sat morning and this post makes me want to go make the coffee instantly. Perfect clicks.
divya
Wow! Looks fantastic! I am drooling all over it 🙂
Chitra
i lovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee coffee a lot…its a gr8 refreshing drink for me 😉
Nimi
Classic post Sharmi, I loved the steam in the photograph!
Priya
Omg, feel like having that super tempting filter kaapi.
Roshni
love the post. lovely clicks… just noticed that in the tumblar, there are letter engravings… My mom's tumblar and dawara also have such engraving which are very common in our homes.. just remember the visits to steel patra kadai as kid where the guy will do engraving after you buy 🙂 First time in your blog.. happy to follow you…
jeyashrisuresh
I love to have filter kapi any time of the day. Nicely explained with great clicks
rekhas kitchen
I can not imagen my day with out coffee. looks so tempting.
Premalatha Aravindhan
My day will not start without this…Now a days am audited to filter coffee:)Very nice post…
Mahek
Hummm….
waiting to have a cup…
I love filter coffee..and your pictures make me want to run to the kitchen…
Nisa Homey
Sharmi, your first picture is making me want more coffee.
Coral Crue
wow! i had always wanted to see how this works out and this is like a live demonstration almost with pictures and all…really cool blog!
fujiia
Hello, I'm just visiting from Knapkins.com, intrigued by your filter kaapi. I know of American drip coffee, espresso, coffee from a French press, an Italian press, Turkish coffee, instant coffee, but I have never heard of South Indian filter coffee. The utensils are beautifull. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
Laure
thrishala jain.k.s.
coffee is my life.. elixir.. love the way u have demonstrated with the temting pics!
Pappu
Looks luvely . Just decided today to cut down on filter coffee to one a day .but after ur pics, iam tempted to give my resolution a bye bye 🙂
babitha costa
sharmis,ur step by step procedure is very helpful,i too love filter coffee but it won't come coorect,must try it.i am following ur indian expresso coffee from the day u showed,it is absolutely tasty
Shema George
wow..ur pics are making me feel like drinking some filter coffee
Lifescoops
Turmeric n Spice
aww brings back memories….looks awesome
ajith
i generally use a piece of cloth insted of the filter .. it also wrks.. just incase filter is not available..
ajith
i have seen that when u use a filter, the coffee strains keep coming so i switched to the cloth..
Regi M
Very nice preparation!
KhaugaliDeals
I really like this blog about Coffee Making..Thanks for sharing with us great blog.
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Ramya K.S.
Hi sharmilee , suggest me the coffee powder too.
SHARMILEE J
I used a brand we get here…you can try out narasus or any filter coffee powder
Ramya K.S.
Gonna make filter coffee for the first time
Lavina
Hi Sharmi, I love filter coffee and an avid drinker. Could you please throw more light about the ratio of the chicory and coffee powder. I love vasantha bavan and saravana bavan coffee. Could you please provide more information on that
SHARMILEE J
Sure will let you know if I come across that info….
Dr Shivani Mediratta
Hi.in my filter water ran out very fast as soon I poured in upper chamber. What could have been the reason.
SHARMILEE J
Do you have the filter holes big? Even if it passes faster no issues unless and until your decotion is good and thick enough….
Unknown
Hi
Do you put in the plunger thing after or before adding the water? does it make a difference?
Thanks! Great photos!
SHARMILEE J
Yes I usually put it after adding water…it helps in dripping easier and faster
Tanushree Sasi
Hey Sharmi,
I love filter coffee very much, but I do not have a filter and since I am not in India and did not find a filter in the local Indian store here, could you please tell me if there is a way to make coffee with the same taste. I did manage to get Narasus coffee powder though.
Thanks in advance,
Tanu
ajith
Hi Sharmi.. Started using a Percolator to make the decoction…. its easier cause its more instant. its available in Amazon…..
ajith
To use the percolator i usually add less water then boil it without the filter. later on i add the filter part.. its easier cause i don't have to wait for the decoction to be made.
Sruthi M
the early morning aroma makes my day, even outside india i dont hesitate to spend some extra time making milk and sugar filter coffee.i am currently using jayanthi coffee for almost 5 years, my friends get it to me from india which has 15% chikory. I love the aroma.