RecipesColombiaCafé con Panela

Café con Panela

A traditional Colombian coffee sweetened with panela, offering a complex, rustic flavor profile.

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy

🧂 Ingredients

  • 4 cups (approximately 950 ml) Water
  • 100g (about 1/2 cup packed, or 1/4 of a standard block) Panela
  • 4 tablespoons (about 20-24g) Finely ground Colombian coffee

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the panela syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and panela. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the panela has completely dissolved. This should take about 5-7 minutes. The liquid will become a rich caramel color and slightly syrupy. Do not boil vigorously.

    ⏱️ 7 minutes
  2. 2

    Brew the coffee: Once the panela is dissolved, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the finely ground coffee directly into the hot panela-water mixture. Stir gently to ensure all coffee grounds are submerged.

    ⏱️ 1 minute
  3. 3

    Simmer and steep: Reduce the heat to low and let the coffee steep for about 4-5 minutes. Do not let it come to a rolling boil, as this can make the coffee bitter. The aroma of coffee will become prominent.

    ⏱️ 5 minutes
  4. 4

    Strain and serve: Carefully strain the coffee through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into individual mugs or a serving carafe to remove the coffee grounds. Serve immediately while hot.

    ⏱️ 2 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

  • Panela provides a unique molasses-like sweetness and depth of flavor that granulated sugar cannot replicate.
  • Adjust the amount of panela to your personal preference for sweetness.
  • For a stronger coffee flavor, use slightly more coffee grounds or a finer grind.
  • The rustic nature of this drink means some fine sediment might remain, which is traditional.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a splash of milk or cream for a richer, creamier version.
  • For a bolder taste, use a darker roast coffee.
  • A pinch of cinnamon or a clove can be added during the steeping process for added spice.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving

CaloriesApproximately 40-50 kcal per serving (depending on panela sweetness)
Protein0g
Carbs10-12g (primarily from panela)
Fat0g
Fiber0g

🏷️ Tags

Café con Panela Recipe - Colombia | world.food