5 Latino Ways to Make Coffee and Up Your Game

Colombia: Cafetera (Coffee Pot)

Colombia is famous for its smooth and balanced coffee, often brewed using a cafetera or coffee pot. This method involves placing ground coffee in a metal filter, pouring hot water over it, and letting it steep for a few minutes before pressing down the filter to separate the grounds. The result is a rich and aromatic coffee with a medium body and pleasant acidity.

Costa Rica: Chorreador de Café (Coffee Dripper)

In Costa Rica, the chorreador de café is a traditional and charming way to brew coffee. It consists of a wooden stand with a cloth filter cone attached to it. To make coffee, place the cloth filter over a cup, add ground coffee, and slowly pour hot water over the grounds, allowing the coffee to drip into the cup. This method produces a smooth and clean-tasting coffee with a hint of sweetness.

Mexico: Cafecito (Small Coffee)

In Mexico, a popular way to enjoy coffee is by brewing a cafecito, which translates to "small coffee." This involves brewing a strong espresso-like shot of coffee using a stovetop espresso maker or a traditional espresso machine. The cafecito is often served in small cups and enjoyed with a touch of sugar for sweetness.

Brazil: Café Coado (Filtered Coffee)

Brazilian coffee culture revolves around café coado or filtered coffee. To make café coado, pour hot water over ground coffee in a paper or cloth filter, allowing the water to drip through and extract the flavors. This method produces a clean and smooth coffee with a medium body and vibrant aroma, perfect for enjoying any time of day.

Guatemala: Café de Olla (Pot Coffee)

Café de olla, or pot coffee, is a traditional Guatemalan coffee brewed in a clay pot with ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, and panela (unrefined cane sugar). The coffee is brewed slowly over low heat, allowing the spices to infuse the brew with warm and aromatic flavors. Café de olla is typically enjoyed hot and is a comforting drink during cooler weather.

Next time you want to brew yourself a little coffee, consider trying one of these Latin American methods and try something different! The flavor will be well worth it.