Masala Café Au Lait

vegetarian | contains dairy
start to finish: 8 minutes 
serves two (425 ml coffee)

Make this with freshly ground coffee beans and a French press coffee maker. Cardamom and nutmeg provide added character, but because nutmeg has a potent flavour, be stingy with it. The water to milk ratio is 1:1, and thus this is a stronger, less milky coffee than a latte. 

See the video below.

Ingredients: 

5 to 6 tablespoons coarsely ground coffee beans (about 35 grams) 
2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
½ scant teaspoon grated nutmeg (or ground nutmeg)
1 cup boiling water
1 cup milk (2% m.f.)
sugar, to taste

Utensils:

• French press 

• 1-litre small saucepan

• fine-mesh strainer (optional)

• milk frother or balloon whisk (optional)

Method: 

1. Add the freshly ground coffee, cardamom and nutmeg to your French press carafe. 

2. Let your boiling water rest for about 30 seconds so its temperature drops slightly. Next, pour ¼ to ⅓ cup of water over the coffee and let it bloom for 30 seconds. Add the remainder of the water. Let the coffee steep for 3-4 minutes. 

3. While the coffee brews, heat the milk in a small saucepan on MEDIUM-HIGH. As soon as the milk starts to steam intensely, remove from the heat. 

4. Return to your French press and gently push the grinds down with the plunger. Pour the coffee into two latte mugs (use a strainer if desired). 

5. Add sugar, to taste, and stir. 

6. Pour the hot milk directly into each mug, or froth the milk first using a small handheld frother or balloon whisk for a café-style beverage. 

Tip: A strainer will filter out any grinds or spice remnants that get past the mesh screen on the press’s plunger to yield a smoother drink. Meanwhile, paper coffee filters have the benefit of removing oils and lipids from boiled coffee, stuff that could increase your LDL cholesterol.