If you're looking to add a little variety to your morning routine, cardamom coffee is a simple yet flavorful option. This spiced coffee drink combines your familiar morning coffee with the warm taste of green cardamom. It's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients and adds a unique twist to your usual brew.
Cardamom coffee traces its roots to parts of the Middle East and India, where the cardamom spice is often used to enhance flavor and aroma. In many cultures, serving cardamom with coffee is a sign of hospitality. It's especially common in variations of Turkish coffee, where ground cardamom is added directly to the coffee grounds before brewing. The result is a rich, aromatic drink that's both comforting and distinctive.
If you've spent time on this site, you probably know that I live by coffee! It's literally one of the highlights of my day. If you're in the mood, check on some of my other coffee recipes, such this copycat recipe for Chick-fil-A Iced Coffee. For a special treat to go along with either drink, considered Malaysian Coffee Buns.
Ingredients
This recipe is simple and straightforward, using three main ingredients to create a flavorful cup of coffee.
Green cardamom pods - These small, pale green pods contain tiny black seeds that are packed with flavor. When crushed or ground, they release a warm, citrusy, and slightly sweet aroma that pairs beautifully with coffee. You can also substitute cardamom from the spice section (see variations section, below).
Ground coffee - Use your favorite medium or dark roast. If you grind whole coffee beans yourself (highly recommended!), you can add the cardamom seeds during the grinding process to blend the flavors more thoroughly.
Water - Just off-boiling water is ideal for steeping the coffee and cardamom together, whether you're using a French press or another brewing method.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This is a really easy recipe, as it only takes a few simple steps. Here's a general overview before you dive into the full recipe below.
Step 1
Start by opening the cardamom pods and removing the seeds inside. Discard the husks.
Step 2
If you're grinding your own coffee, add the cardamom seeds to the grinder with the beans and grind them together to a coarse texture.
Step 3
Add the ground coffee and cardamom to your French press, then pour hot water over the top. Let it steep for about four minutes without pressing down the plunger.
Step 4
Once the brewing time is up, slowly press down the plunger and pour the coffee into your mug.
Variations
You can take your cardamom coffee the same way you take any other coffee. Add hot milk (or almond milk or oat milk if you prefer) and white sugar or other sweetener of your choice.
For a delicious cardamom latte, use a milk frother and add frothed milk to your brewed cardamom coffee. The warm milk softens the spice and makes for a smooth, comforting drink. It tastes a bit like a chai tea latte.
If you prefer your coffee cold, pour it over ice for iced cardamom coffee! Or you can infuse cardamom flavor into homemade cold brew coffee by adding crushed cardamom pods to the grounds before steeping.
Equipment
You don't need any special equipment to make cardamom coffee, but a few basic tools will help. A French press is ideal for steeping the coffee and cardamom together, but you can also use a drip coffee maker or pour-over setup with some adjustments. A sharp knife is helpful for opening the cardamom pods, and if you're using whole coffee beans, a grinder lets you blend the cardamom and coffee together for better flavor. A kettle or microwave-safe container works for heating the water.
Storage
If you have leftover ground cardamom, store it in an airtight container away from heat and light. Freshly ground cardamom loses its aroma quickly, so use it within a few days for the best taste. Ground coffee should also be kept in an airtight container, preferably in a cool, dark place, and used within a couple of weeks for optimal freshness.
Top tip
A good tip for success is to adjust the amount of cardamom and coffee to suit your taste. Start with a small amount, such as from three whole pods, and then increase it if you choose. Likewise, depending on your preferences and the type of coffee you use, you may wish to use adjust the amount of coffee brewed per cup.
FAQ
Yes, you can use cardamom powder if whole pods aren't available. Use about ¼ to ½ teaspoon for a single serving. Just keep in mind that the flavor won't be quite as fresh or complex as when using freshly ground seeds.
Medium to dark roast coffees work especially well, as their bold flavor complements the warm, citrusy notes of cardamom. Lighter roasts may get overshadowed by the spice.
Yes, you can add the cardamom (ground or seeds) directly to the filter basket along with your coffee grounds. Just be sure to scale the recipe based on how many cups you're making.
Cardamom doesn't add caffeine, so this entirely dependent upon the coffee you choose. Decaf coffee still has some caffeine, but not nearly as much as regular coffee.
Recipe
Cardamom Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- 1 French press see notes for other options
- 1 knife
- 1 coffee grinder optional
Ingredients
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 3 tablespoons ground coffee
- 12 ounces water
Instructions
- Using a knife, carefully cut along the long edge of each cardamom pod to expose the seeds inside. Remove the seeds and discard the husks.4 green cardamom pods
- If grinding whole coffee beans, add the cardamom seeds to your coffee grinder at the same time. Grind at a course setting. (If you are using ground coffee, simply add them whole in the next step.)3 tablespoons ground coffee
- Heat the water in the microwave or on a kettle on the stovetop. Ideally the water should be just shy of boiling.12 ounces water
- Add the ground coffee and cardamom seeds to a French press, and top with hot water. Allow to brew for 4 minutes with the plunger in the "up" position. After the time has passed, press down the plunger, then pour the coffee into a coffee mug.
- Add sugar or cream to taste (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
Be careful, when cutting open the whole cardamom pods, not to let the knife slip and cut your hand. When adding the hot water, do so carefully so you avoid burns. And as always, wash your hands completely before cooking!
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