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South Indian Filter
Few cups are as comforting as a traditional South Indian filter coffee. Made by combining a slow-dripped coffee decoction with hot frothed milk, this rich and aromatic brew - also known as Madras filter coffee - has been a morning ritual across South India for generations. At El Bueno, we brew ours with the Jacaranda Blend, chosen specifically for this method.
What you'll need
- South Indian filter set with plunger and lid
- 18g coffee (approximately 9 teaspoons), ground for South Indian filter
- 100ml water at 95°C (about 1 minute 30 seconds off the boil)
- Hot milk or hot water to serve
- Kettle, tablespoon, and cup
- Scales if you have them, otherwise eyeballing is fine
How to brew
1
Add 18g of coffee powder into the upper chamber of the filter.
2
Place the upper chamber over the lower chamber, where the decoction will collect.
3
Use the plunger to level the coffee grounds - rest it on top without applying any pressure.
4
Pour 100ml of hot water into the upper chamber, keeping the plunger in place.
5
Place the lid on and leave undisturbed for 9 minutes 30 seconds to 10 minutes while the decoction drips through.
6
Once ready, take 50ml of the decoction and combine with 60ml of hot milk or 50ml of hot water, depending on your preference.
7
Add sugar to taste.
A few tips to get the best from your cup
Use water closer to 95°C here - slightly hotter than most other methods. The filter takes time to drip through, and starting with hotter water helps maintain the temperature needed for a consistent extraction.
The plunger is only for levelling the grounds, not for compacting them. No pressure is needed - let gravity do the work.
Keep the lid on for the entire brew. Lifting it lets heat escape and can disrupt the drip rate and consistency of the decoction.
This recipe produces a strong decoction that can stretch to 2 or 3 cups. Any leftover decoction keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For the traditional frothy top, pour the prepared coffee back and forth between two vessels from a good height until bubbles form on the surface. It's a small step that makes a big difference to the experience.
