Indian Filter Coffee Recipe with Milk
Learn to make authentic Indian filter coffee at home. A rich, frothy, aromatic coffee brewed the traditional South Indian way using a metal filter and served with frothed milk, perfect for a comforting start to your day.
South Indian Filter Coffee, also known as Filter Kaapi or Madras Coffee, is a traditional South Indian beverage made with freshly ground coffee beans and chicory. Brewed in a South Indian coffee filter, this aromatic drink blends a strong coffee decoction with frothy hot milk and a hint of sugar for a perfectly balanced cup. Loved for its rich aroma, bold flavor, and creamy texture, this authentic South Indian coffee recipe is a staple in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala households. Whether you enjoy it in a dabara set or a steel tumbler, this homemade filter coffee brings the true taste of Indian-style filter coffee, a comforting morning ritual cherished by coffee lovers across India.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Coffee Powder: Use freshly ground South Indian filter coffee blend containing 70–80% coffee and 20–30% chicory for the authentic taste. You can substitute it with any strong roast coffee powder if chicory blend isn’t available.
- Water: To brew the decoction in the coffee filter. Always use filtered or boiled water for a clean taste.
- Milk: I use whole milk to make coffee as it gives a creamy and rich texture. You can substitute milk with low-fat milk or plant-based options like almond or oat milk for a lighter version.
- Sugar: Traditional filter coffee uses white sugar, but you can substitute with jaggery powder, coconut sugar, or brown sugar for a healthier twist.
How to Make Filter Coffee
- Prepare the Coffee Filter. Place coffee powder in the filter and and press it gently for even brewing.
- Pour Hot Water to Brew Decoction. Add hot water over the coffee powder and let it drip slowly to extract a strong coffee decoction.
- Heat the Milk. Warm milk in a pan until it turns frothy but make sure it doesn’t boil.
- Mix Coffee and Milk. Combine decoction and hot milk in a tumbler, sweeten as desired.
- Create Froth. Pour between tumbler and dabara to create a creamy froth.
- Serve the South Indian Filter Coffee. Enjoy coffee immediately in a traditional steel tumbler.
Serving Suggestion
Serve hot South Indian filter coffee in a traditional stainless-steel tumbler and dabara set. Pair it with breakfast dishes like idli, crispy dosa, vada, or upma for a comforting and complete South Indian meal. The strong aroma and creamy texture make it perfect for mornings or relaxed evening breaks.
Frequently asked questions
This can happen if the coffee grind is too coarse or if too little coffee powder is used. Use medium-fine grind for best results.
It’s made using ground coffee mixed with chicory, brewed in a metal filter to produce a strong decoction, then mixed with hot milk and sugar.
Yes, you can use a French press or Moka pot as an alternative, though the flavor and intensity may slightly differ.
It usually takes 10–15 minutes for the water to pass through the coffee grounds and collect as a strong decoction.
Whole milk or full-fat milk gives the best frothy and creamy result, enhancing the coffee’s texture and richness.
Recipe Card
Indian Filter Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- 1 South Indian coffee filter
- 1 Small pan
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Tumbler and davara
- 1 Milk frother or whisk
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp South Indian filter coffee powder
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Milk full cream preferred
- 2 tsp Sugar adjust as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Filter: Add the coffee powder to the upper chamber of the South Indian coffee filter and gently press it down with the plunger.
- Add Hot Water: Pour hot water over the coffee powder and close the lid. Let it slowly drip into the lower chamber to form the strong coffee decoction.
- Boil Milk: In a saucepan, heat the milk until it begins to froth slightly but does not boil over.
- Mix Coffee and Milk: In a tumbler, pour some decoction and add hot milk according to your preferred strength. Adjust sugar to taste.
- Create Froth: Pour the mixture back and forth between a tumbler and dabara (or two cups) a few times to aerate and create a rich, frothy top.
- Serve Hot: Serve immediately in a traditional dabara set or steel tumbler for the authentic South Indian experience.
Notes
- Adjust coffee and sugar quantities as per taste.
- Use freshly ground coffee for best aroma.
- Can substitute full cream milk with low-fat or plant-based milk.
