Mastering The Kopi Tubruk Coffee (Step-By-Step)
Ready to try your hand at making Kopi Tubruk? Well, it's a simple method. You don't need any fancy equipment, just a few basics and a bit of patience. So here’s what you’ll need:
Equipment
- A Spoon: For stirring.
- A heat-proof glass or mug: Traditional Kopi Tubruk is served in a glass, but any sturdy mug works.
Ingredients
- Ground coffee: Opt for a coarser grind if you prefer less sediment, but traditionally, it’s quite fine. Personally, I love using Kapal Api—an Indonesian coffee brand that delivers that bold, slightly smoky taste perfect for Kopi Tubruk.
- Hot water: About 200-250 ml, just below boiling (around 90-95°C works well).
- Granulated sugar: This is optional, but a teaspoon or two can balance the bitterness.
Instructions
- Add the Coffee to Your Glass: Place about 2 tablespoons (or 10-15 grams) of ground coffee into your glass. The amount can be adjusted based on how strong you like your coffee. However, Kopi Tubruk is traditionally pretty robust.
- Pour in the Hot Water: Carefully pour the hot water over the coffee grounds. You want to pour slowly, letting the water mix thoroughly with the coffee to release its natural oils and aroma.
- Stir the Mixture: Give it a good stir to make sure the grounds are fully saturated. This step also helps the coffee grounds settle to the bottom more easily once you’re done stirring.
- Add Sugar (Optional): If you’re adding sugar, now’s the time. Just add your preferred amount, give it another gentle stir, and let it sit for a moment to allow the flavors to blend.
- Let It Sit: The key here is patience. Let the coffee sit undisturbed for about 3-5 minutes. This allows the grounds to settle at the bottom, giving you a cleaner sip (or at least as clean as Kopi Tubruk can get).
- Sip Slowly and Enjoy: This coffee is meant to be enjoyed slowly. Take in the strong, earthy flavor with each sip, and remember not to gulp too quickly—those grounds are still lurking at the bottom!
Notes
I love the calming sense and simplicity of this coffee method. And once you've made it a few times, you might just find yourself hooked.