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Home » Type » Drinks » Cardamom-Spiced Mocha

Cardamom-Spiced Mocha

August 2, 2009 by Faith 18 Comments

Cardamom in coffee might sound strange, but cardamom is typically added to Turkish and/or Arabic coffee.  Cardamom is related to ginger, and it has a eucalyptus-like aroma and a warm flavor similar to cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, but with lemon-citrusy undertones.  Not only does it add a very complex flavor to coffee, but according to The Herb & Spice Companion, there is some evidence suggesting that cardamom reduces the effects of caffeine in coffee.

 

I really like the use of cardamom in mocha because all of its flavor complexities pair well with the various flavor notes in the cocoa powder.  And it’s even better when complimented with a square of your favorite dark chocolate.  ;)

 

I’m going to send this recipe to Nutmeg Nanny for this week’s Blogger Secret Ingredient…coffee! 

 

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Cardamom-Spiced Mocha

 

(Yield:  2 servings)

 

2 c hot water

3 – 5 TB medium-coarse ground coffee (depending on taste)

1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp brown sugar or turbinado sugar

2 cardamom pods

Splash of milk (optional)

 

Bring the water up to a boil; shut off the heat and let the water cool for 3 minutes.  The cardamom pods can be lightly crushed (using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a large knife – similar to crushing garlic) or ground (using a coffee grinder, blender, etc.); grinding them will give the mocha a more intense cardamom flavor. 

 

Add the coffee to a French press and once the water cools, bloom the coffee grounds by adding just enough water to cover the coffee.  Now add the rest of the water, along with the cocoa, sugar, and cardamom, and stir 5 times. 

 

Place the plunger on top of the French press so that the coffee stays hot, but do not press the plunger down; let the coffee brew like this for 3 – 5 minutes.  Slowly push the plunger down.  Serve the mocha with a splash of milk if desired.

Crushed Cardamom Pods
Crushed Cardamom Pods

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Filed Under: Drinks, Gluten Free Tagged: Cardamom, Cocoa Powder, Coffee

Comments

  1. Matt (No Meat Athlete) says

    August 6, 2009 at 4:01 pm

    Yum! I’m a HUGE coffee fan, though I’m trying hard to cut back to about 3 cups a week. This sounds delicious; I love the idea of drinking coffee the way they do elsewhere. And even better, it’s made in a French Press.

    Great post!

    Reply
  2. Figtreeapps says

    August 4, 2009 at 10:29 am

    First of all I LOVE your photos!! We have a great spice store near by, Ill pick up some cardamom this weekend,thanks for the great idea!Figtreeapps

    Reply
  3. Parita says

    August 4, 2009 at 4:58 am

    Thats sounds heavenly combo! I will try this tonight!

    Reply
  4. Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says

    August 4, 2009 at 4:04 am

    Sounds excellent! I love the idea of cocoa powder and cardamom in this delicious coffee drink!

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    August 4, 2009 at 1:57 am

    vat a great combo faith!! yummyumm love this mocca :)

    Reply
  6. Lubna Karim says

    August 3, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Wow…….that cup refreshes me…..

    Reply
  7. Reeni says

    August 3, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I really like cardamom – this looks delicious!!

    Reply
  8. Dawn (foodnfit) says

    August 3, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    Mmmm I could really go for a cup of this right now!

    Reply
  9. Jen @ MaplenCornbread says

    August 3, 2009 at 10:29 am

    YUM! I adore cardamon but have never used it in a coffee drink before. Sounds great!

    Reply
  10. holly the healthy everythingtarian says

    August 3, 2009 at 6:39 am

    cardamom is the BEST! mmmmm…so spicy and yummy!

    Reply
  11. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    August 2, 2009 at 11:12 pm

    I love the sound of aromatic cardamom in a mocha! Thanks for a great idea! :D

    Reply
  12. theungourmet says

    August 2, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    Yum! I bet this is so terrific. Where did you find if whole like this???

    Reply
    • admin says

      August 3, 2009 at 10:44 am

      theungourmet, I found the cardamom pods at a small Arabic grocery store, and believe it or not, they were only $2.99 for about half a pound! In the past I’ve also purchased other spices very inexpensively there (I bought cumin for $6 for about a pound!). I’ve also seen cardamom pods at other ethnic stores.

      Reply
  13. Selba says

    August 2, 2009 at 6:23 pm

    I can imagine how nice the scent of cardamom in the coffee… ah… beautiful :)

    Reply
  14. Sophia says

    August 2, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    Wow a cup of this should warm me right up to my toes!

    Reply
  15. peachkins says

    August 2, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    I haven’t tried using cardamom in my coffee.Heck, I even haven’t seen cardamom in person..lol!

    Reply
  16. Rosa says

    August 2, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    What a delightful drink! A wonderful flavor combo!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  17. [email protected] says

    August 2, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Oooh, I’ll bet this is good. And with the cute little square of dark chocolate? Outstanding.

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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