Kumbakonam Filter Coffee (Tamil Nadu Decoction Coffee)
Kumbakonam Filter Coffee is the iconic South Indian Tamil Nadu drip-brewed coffee — finely ground coffee-chicory blend is decoction-brewed in a brass percussion filter, then mixed 1:3 with frothy hot milk (boiled and aerated). Served in steel davara-tumbler. The Kumbakonam (Thanjavur district, TN) style is considered the gold standard. Note: recipe ingredients list "pakhala bhat" which is an Odiya fermented rice water — likely a data error; traditional filter coffee uses ONLY coffee decoction water.
Ingredients
- Pakhala Bhat (Odisha Fermented Rice Water) — 1 cup (whole)
- instant coffee powder — 1 tbsp (ground)
- sugar (optional) (whole)
- Milk — 1 cup (whole)
Method
- To begin making the Kumbakonam filter Coffee recipe, first prepare the decoction using a Coffee Filter or Preethi Zest Filter Coffee Maker.Into the coffee maker, add 2-1/2 tablespoons filter coffee powder and 1 cup of water.
- This will be enough decoction for 2 servings of coffee.While the coffee is getting brewed, boil 1 cup of milk and bring it to a boiling point.The final step is to make the Kumbakonam filter coffee.
- Into the coffee tumbler, add the sugar, coffee decoction and then finally pour in the boiled milk.
- The ratio of decoction to milk is completely up to you but the common practise is to add decoction into the tumbler quarter of the way and rest of the tumbler is filled with milk.
- Mix the coffee using the tumbler and davara and serve hot.Serve the Kumbakonam filter Coffee Recipe along with Ven Pongal Recipe and Sakkarai Pongal Recipe, South Indian Coconut Chutney.
Common questions
- How many calories in one plate of Kumbakonam Filter Coffee (Tamil Nadu Decoction Coffee)?
- 210 kcal per plate.
- How much cooking time?
- 30 min — 5 min prep, 25 min cooking.