Here in North America, spiced coffee isn’t exactly a standard part of coffee recipes. In other parts of the world, however, it’s very common. In the Arab world in particular, coffee is often enjoyed with other ingredients – for example, as coffee with cardamom.
So, what can this exotic spice do, and how can you best incorporate it into your cup of joe? Keep reading, and I’ll share some tips and recipes for spicy Arabica coffee.
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What Are the Ingredients for Cardamom Coffee?
Cardamom belongs to the ginger family and has a spicy-sweet aroma that falls somewhere between ginger, cinnamon, and speculoos cookies. You know – those thin, Belgian Biscoff cookies you can’t just eat one of.
According to Turkish-Arabic tradition, the small pods are said to help balance the characteristic acidity of a classic mocha-style brew. To achieve this, you’ll need:
Cezve for strong Turkish coffee (or a small, stainless steel saucepan)
Very finely ground Arabica beans with a dark coffee roast profile
Cardamom pods (lightly pressed) or ground cardamom seeds
Strainer
Sugar (optional, to taste)
How Do I Prepare Coffee With Cardamom?
If you’ve ever used a cezve or ibrik, you’ll be able to make spiced coffee in no time. The real secret is to add the cardamom directly to the ground coffee. Here’s how you do it:
Add 12.5 ounces (370 milliliters) of water, 4 heaped teaspoons of finely ground coffee and 1 cardamom pod to the cezve
Heat until the coffee foams
Add 4 more cardamom pods
Remove the cezve from the heat briefly
Repeat the boiling process twice
Pour the coffee through a strainer into the cups
Add a little sugar if desired, or serve with sweet pastries
Turkish, Arabic and Israeli Cardamom Coffee: Tips for Variations with Cinnamon and More
If Turkish coffee isn’t your thing, feel free to prepare filter coffee using a coffee maker or French press. Just mix the spice directly into the ground coffee. Another option is to use a moka pot, which will produce exceptional results.
Of course, you may be tempted to pull a shot of cardamom espresso using your best home espresso machine. However, I wouldn’t recommend mixing the cardamom in with the ground coffee in the portafilter. Doing that could damage your machine. Whether you’re using a semi-automatic or a fully automatic espresso machine, you’ll be better off mixing the cardamom with your espresso once it’s in your cup.
If spices alone aren’t enough to satisfy you, various cultures offer perfect sweeteners: add a little honey to what’s known as “Berber coffee” and top it off with milk or cream. Or combine spice and sweetness in a coffee-cocoa drink.
Can’t get enough spice? Then complement the cardamom pods with cloves, ginger, rose water, nutmeg or saffron threads. Heck, some cultures even add salt from time to time.
Even More Ideas: Two Modern Cardamom Coffee Recipes
As you might have guessed, cardamom is one of my favorite spices. So, I’ve decided to treat you to a couple of my current favorite cardamom coffee recipes. You’re welcome!
Cardamom Latte Recipe
Trust me, a cardamom latte done right is a taste of heaven on earth. As I mentioned above, don’t put ground cardamom in your portafilter, because it could wreak havoc on your machine’s innards. So, you can expect a little extra “texture” in your latte because the cardamom won’t dissolve. Personally, I don’t mind this, but I always have Mauricio check my teeth before I go out in public!
Ingredients
Double shot of espresso
2 tablespoons of warmed honey
6 ounces (177 milliliters) whole milk
1-2 teaspoons finely ground cardamom seeds
Ground cinnamon (optional)
Method
Pull a double shot of espresso into your latte cup, directly over the warmed honey.
Thoroughly whisk the espresso and honey.
Whisk the milk and cardamom together in a steaming pitcher, then heat and froth using your machine’s steam wand. Make sure to thoroughly purge the steam wand afterward.
Pour a little of the frothed milk into your cup and swirl gently. Then continue to fill the cup until full. Extra points for latte art.
Sprinkle the top of your latte with a little extra cardamom and/or cinnamon.
Cardamom-Spiced Iced Coffee Recipe
This is my very favorite iced coffee recipe right now. It’s super simple, super versatile and very exotic. It takes a little while to prepare, but trust me, you’re gonna love this.
Ingredients
8 ounces (237 milliliters) brewed coffee
6 ounces (177 milliliters)
1 tablespoon cardamom pods
1/4 teaspoon rosewater
Ice cubes
Method
Brew coffee and chill. You can use drip coffee, cold brew, espresso … whatever you want!
Using the back of a spoon, crush the cardamom pods until they open. Don’t pulverize ’em, though!
Add the milk and crushed pods to a saucepan and heat gently for around 20 minutes until very fragrant.
Next, add the rosewater and continue to heat for 5-10 minutes. Be very careful with rosewater – using too much will completely overpower the other flavors.
Strain the milk to remove the cardamom pods, then chill it in the fridge until completely cold.
Add ice cubes to your favorite coffee glass, then fill halfway with the chilled coffee.
Top off with the spiced milk, stir and start sipping.
What Are the Best Beans for Cardamom Coffee?
Grown in the mountains of Yemen, mocha coffee beans are in a class of their own – and they truly shine when you prepare them in the way they’ve been brewed for centuries. Still, beginners who prefer a milder blend overall can start with any darker roast. Besides, it can be hard to get hold of Yemen coffee these days.
Since you add the spices to balance the coffee’s acidity, you can feel free to try beans with a bit more brightness. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about your digestion or stomach, a mild and smooth Brazilian coffee will do nicely. Overall, though, feel free to experiment until you find the perfect beans for your cardamom coffee. Check out my guides to the best espresso beans and best coffee beans on Amazon for inspiration!
Final Thoughts: Spiced Coffee Is Culture in a Cup
If you want to start understanding other cultures, a good place to start is by checking out their coffee recipes. By the way, if you’re not a fan of adding cardamom to your coffee, the pods also enhance countless delicious dishes. And again, this is a valuable way of appreciating any country’s customs and culture.
So, if you don’t have any cardamom pods in your pantry, pick some up next time you’re at the grocery store.
I’m curious to hear your tips: What do you add to your coffee drinks? Are there any other traditional ideas for creating a unique flavor? Let me know in the comments!
FAQ about coffee with cardamom
When making cardamom coffee, it’s best to err on the side of caution to begin with. Start with one or two pods or around half a teaspoon of crushed seeds per cup.
Cardamom adds a complex flavor and aroma to your coffee, as well as a deeply satisfying warmth.
Flavors that go well with cardamom coffee include citrus, honey, sweetened milk and cinnamon.
Folks with gallstones, known allergies and those on blood-thinning or diabetes medication should all avoid cardamom.
