Filter Coffee

The Madras filter coffee is nearly an institution - one that most thorough bred Tamilians cannot do without. The wafting aroma of freshly brewed filter coffee heralds the new day in most South Indian homes. The ubiquitous coffee filter can be found in the kitchen occupying pride of place, creating a thick decoction that is mixed with the right amount of hot milk and sugar.


The secret to creating the decoction of the right consistency lies in the quality of the ground filter coffee powder as well as the boiling hot water that is added to it. Boiling hot water allows the rich flavor of the coffee powder to be released into a thick decoction
Ingredients to make 1 cup coffe decoction (to make 2-3 cups coffee with milk)

Coffee powder - 2 tbsp
Water - 1 cup
Sugar - 1 tsp per cup or according to taste
milk - 1 to 1 1/2 cups Method to make coffee decoction:

Heat water.
Put the coffee powder in the top filter part. Put the stick filter on the coffee powder.
When the water gets hot, pour it carefully on the stick.
Cover the filter. It will take about 8-10 minutes for all the water to pass through coffee powder.
Now your coffee decoction is ready to use.
How to make coffee with the decoction
Heat milk.
Take some(about 1/4th) coffee decoction in a cup.
Add milk and sugar according to taste. Stir.
Serve immedietly.
If you like coffee very hot, heat the coffee and milk mixture but do not let it boil.
Tips:

You can make the decoction and use it when you need within a few hours.
Make the decoction thicker by adding more coffee powder or by reducing the water you add.
The taste and thickness will depend on the quality of coffee powder, the amount of chicory used in coffee powder, the freshness of the coffee powder, the quality of the milk etc. So experiment with these till you get your desired taste.