Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee is a strong and flavorful South Indian filter coffee made using fresh decoction and thick milk. It’s known for its bold taste and that special way of preparing which is still followed in many Tamil households, especially in Kumbakonam side. This coffee is made with love and little patience, and that’s what makes it feel so homely and comforting.

The slow dripping decoction, the milk boiled gently till thick, and that back-and-forth pour in tumbler and davara – every small step adds something to the taste. It’s not just a coffee, but more like a peaceful start of the day. The smell itself will pull you to the kitchen and make you want one hot tumbler in hand.

Jump to:

• About Kumbakonam Degree Coffee
• Kumbakonam Degree Coffee Ingredients
• Similar Recipes
• How to make Kumbakonam Degree Coffee Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving and Storage
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Kumbakonam Degree Coffee

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee is very famous for its strong and original flavour. It is made using pure coffee powder and thick creamy milk. The word “degree” here means pure first quality milk, which is boiled and used in coffee. This coffee is very popular in hotels and mess in Tamil Nadu, especially in small towns and villages.

It is served in the traditional “tumbler and davara” set, which keeps the coffee hot and adds to the feel. The method of making this coffee may take little time, but the taste is really worth it. A good degree coffee has a perfect blend of bitterness, sweetness and creaminess.

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee concentrates much to the purity of undiluted milk used in the preparation of the coffee than the coffee powder.They actually use a lactometer to check the purity of milk and that the reason they have named it as degree coffee, also called as meter coffee.

Another explanation for degree coffee is that chicory beans were used to make the coffee. The South Indian pronunciation of chickory became chigory then digory and finally degree. The right way to make Kumbakonam Degree Coffee is to first add sugar, top it with decotion and finally pour milk, then pour  between tawara tumbler to serve the coffee frothy. Also milk is boiled in double boiler, this way the milk will remain hot at the same time it will not get burnt at the bottom and also get thick while boiling.

Many people love this coffee not just for taste but also for the feeling it gives – warm, comforting and fresh. This is not instant coffee, it needs some love and patience to prepare. But once you taste the real Kumbakonam style, it’s hard to enjoy any other coffee. The aroma itself will make you crave for one more cup.

I still remember waking up to the smell of freshly brewed filter coffee filling our kitchen. I would wait eagerly for my turn to sip that hot, frothy tumbler made by amma with so much care.

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee Ingredients

• Filter Coffee Powder – Use fresh ground, strong roast filter coffee powder. Better the powder, better the flavor and strength of the decoction. Try to store it in airtight box so it doesn’t lose the smell or taste.
• Boiling Water – Take clean, just boiled water for making decoction. The water should be really hot and bubbling when you pour it in the filter, only then it will pull full flavor from the powder.
• Milk – Always go for full cream milk or cow’s milk which is thick. That’s what gives the rich and creamy texture. Boil the milk well and keep it hot using hot water method. Don’t heat directly again after boiling.
• Sugar – Add as per your taste. Some like little more sweet, some like strong and less sugar. You can even try jaggery or palm sugar if you want little traditional taste.

Similar Recipes

• Filter Coffee
• Iced Coffee
• Espresso Coffee
• Cold Coffee
• Black Coffee
• Dalgona Coffee

How to make Kumbakonam Degree Coffee Step by Step

1.Choose good quality filter coffee powder. Take your coffee filter.

2.First add 3 teaspoons of filter coffee powder to the filter upper container,Set aside. Now boil water.

3.Place the stick inside then add boiled water. Close with the lid and set aside undisturbed for 15-20 minutes until all the decoction drops down.As you see the decoction drops and gets collected in the lower part of the filter.

4.Boil milk first then place it inside a bigger container which has boiling water. Let it boil until you start preparing the filter coffee.

5.Add sugar in the serving tawara. Then add the coffee decoction. Mix once

6.Then strain milk. Pour from tawara to the tumbler for once or twice until frothy. Serve hot!

Filter coffee is ready serve it hot and frothy.We always serve filter coffee in a set of tawara tumbler as shown in the pics.

Expert Tips

• Use fresh powder – Try to use coffee powder that’s freshly ground or recently opened. Stale or old powder will not give good taste or strong decoction.
• Boiling – Milk should be boiled till it’s slightly thick. Then keep it inside a bowl of hot water so that it stays hot till serving. Never heat directly again after mixing with decoction.
• Straining – After boiling, a layer of cream (malai) forms on top. Always strain it before adding to coffee, else it will not taste smooth.
• Don’t overboil – Once you mix decoction and milk, don’t keep on direct heat. Just warm using hot water method or it may split or lose the aroma.
• Decoction – Do not shake or tap the filter while decoction is forming. Allow it to drip slowly. This will give strong and thick decoction, which is the base of good coffee.
• Use right ratio – For stronger coffee, add more decoction and less milk. For mild coffee, add more milk. Adjust it as per your taste. Don’t follow exact measurement blindly.
• Serve in davara set – Pouring coffee from tumbler to davara and back makes it foamy and also mixes everything evenly. This is how traditional filter coffee is served and enjoyed.

Serving and Storage

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee should always be served hot and fresh. Pour it from tumbler to davara two or three times for that nice foam on top. It is best enjoyed early morning with biscuits or in the evening with some savory snacks like murukku.

If you have extra decoction, you can store it in a small container and keep in fridge. It stays good for a day. Reheat by placing the container in a bowl of hot water. Don’t boil directly as it may spoil the taste.

FAQS

1.What is meant by Degree Coffee?

It’s a type of filter coffee made using strong decoction and thick first-quality milk. The word “degree” means the milk is pure and not watered down.

2.Can I use instant coffee powder?

No, this one needs proper South Indian filter coffee powder. Instant coffee won’t give that taste or smell.

3.Is it okay to store decoction in fridge?

Yes, can store for one day. Just make sure you heat it using hot water method, not directly on stove.

4.What kind of filter should I use?

Better to use brass or stainless steel filter. It drips slow and gives thick decoction which makes the coffee taste nice.

5.How to make the coffee more strong?

Simple, add more decoction and little milk. Also using fresh roast powder will make it more flavourful.

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