Aside from being one of the top coffee-producing countries around the world, Brazil is rich in tradition and culture. Since coffee plays such a vital role in the country of Brazil, it comes as no surprise to learn that they are also one of the top countries for overall coffee consumption.
Visitors are often welcomed into homes with a cup of coffee in Brazil, and it’s typically served during business meetings in an effort to be more hospitable. In Brazil, it is traditional for many conversations to begin by sitting down at a table before serving a coffee cup. Aside from growing and consuming coffee, the citizens of Brazil also spent a great deal of time developing a variety of coffee-based drinks for everyone to enjoy.
Cafezinho is no exception. Cafezinho has a rich history of being the country’s favored drink as a traditional Brazilian coffee drink. Through the addition of unrefined sugar known as “rapadura”, also produced in Brazil, Cafezinho also requires milk or cream alongside coffee. More often than not, a finely ground espresso is used to brew up a mug of Cafezinho. Whether you purchase ground espresso or whole-bean espresso, you can also enjoy this traditional Brazilian favorite from the comfort of your own home. Today, we will show you how exactly to accomplish this all on your own by sharing our favorite Cafezinho recipe.
It’s Easy to Make Espresso
Making espresso at home does not have to be difficult, regardless of whether you’re in possession of a fancy espresso machine. There are other systems and methods in which you can make espresso without large amounts of storage space for a very small investment. Plus, the thought of grinding coffee at home should not cause you to shy away from enjoying cafe-style, espresso-based drinks from your own kitchen.
With an affordable burr grinder, you can select your desired level of ground, anywhere from coarse to fine.
You can choose from a French press, Aeropress, and Mako pot in order to make your own espresso. These items range from cheap to mid-range in price, with the Aeropress being on the more expensive side. But unless you are big into toting espresso on your next camping trip or are taking a cross-country trip, it’s rather unnecessary for home use.
A Mako pot is a fantastic option but since most units are crafted with aluminum, they do not work with induction-style ranges or cooktops. This is where the French press is enabled to shine for crafting a fine batch of espresso.
Cafezinho Ingredients
Because a French press does not utilize a paper filter, it is incapable of removing the oils associated with coffee when compared to other methods. Additionally, it does not incorporate serious steam-based pressure in order to create a thick end result. However, if this is what you have on hand, you can certainly use it to your benefit. If you have one of the other systems capable of brewing up a batch of espresso, you are more than welcome to follow the directions commonly included with said product.
- 4 tablespoons Espresso Beans
- 16 ounces Filtered Water
- 2 tablespoons Raw Sugar
(much like Brazilian tradition) - A splash of Milk or Cream
(to taste) - Burr Grinder
(on fine espresso setting) - French Press
- Water Kettle
(electric or stove top)
Making Cafezinho at Home
- Begin by grinding your beans on your burr grinder’s fine (espresso) setting. Grinding them each time you brew up a press ensures overall freshness and optimal flavor. Otherwise, you may utilize already-ground espresso from a local coffee shop or grocery store.
- Add your grounds to a pre-heated beaker. This can be done by holding your container under warm water, which prevents the singeing of beans. Begin bringing your water to a gentle boil, either in a microwave or a water kettle on the stove. Don’t let it go beyond 200 degrees.
- Bloom your beans with a splash of hot water, and allow it to set for 30 seconds.
- Slowly add the remainder of your hot water, and set a timer for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Slowly depress the plunger halfway before bringing it back up to the top. Depress once again, allowing 30 seconds to completely depress toward the bottom.
- Pour into your favorite mug, adding raw sugar and milk to taste. Enjoy!
Taste the Tradition of Brazil
While it is easy to assume that countries all enjoy coffee dressed up in a similar fashion, it is intriguing to learn about methods and names associated with each region’s specialty.
Following the Cafezinho recipe is a superb way to enjoy the taste of Brazil without round-trip fare. By high-quality sourcing ingredients, you are sure to enjoy an espresso-based drink you will want to make again and again. If you want to mix it up a little more, try sourcing coffee beans imported from Brazil, as well as raw sugar similar to that used by Brazilians. Using fresh milk or cream will also go to great lengths in crafting a traditional Cafezinho, so make sure to avoid convenient pre-made, chemical-laden coffee creamers.
With many single-origin coffee beans available at our fingertips, it is easy enough to obtain beans straight from the source. A single-origin Brazilian bean often provides hints rich in chocolaty flavors, mostly due to the nourishing growing environment, nutrient-rich soil, and various roasting methods. If you really want to kick it up a notch and taste Cafezinho how it was meant to be enjoyed, you definitely don’t want to pass up on the opportunity to brew a batch of Brazilian-sourced beans.