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Kopi tubruk
Kopi tubruk: Javanese coffee poured straight onto fine grounds and sugar, left to settle and drunk unfiltered
From the warung kopi of Yogyakarta and Solo to the night-shift stalls of Surabaya, kopi tubruk is the everyday coffee of Java: powder-fine robusta and sugar spooned into a glass, hit with boiling water, stirred once and left alone while the grounds sink. It comes out black, thick and strong, with a toasty, slightly chocolatey bitterness and often plenty of sugar, drunk early with fried snacks and again late at night over long talk. The grounds sit as a muddy layer at the bottom and stay there. The common mistake is drinking or stirring too soon: the cup is gritty and harsh. Wait four or five minutes, until the crust on top sinks and the surface turns clear and dark, then sip gently and stop before the sludge. It is ready when the foam has collapsed and a thin oily sheen shows on top. This is a strong, high-caffeine coffee; one glass is plenty, and it is not for children. Some sellers add a slice of ginger or a pinch of cardamom. Chef's tip: grind the beans as fine as for espresso or finer; coarse grounds float and never settle.
- Total time
- 7 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 1
Ingredients
For one glass
- 2 tbsp very finely ground dark-roast robusta coffeeabout 12 g
- 2 tsp sugarJavanese style is sweeter; adjust to taste
- ¾ cup water
Optional
- 1 fresh ginger slice (optional)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Spoon 2 tbsp very finely ground dark-roast robusta coffee and 2 tsp sugar into a heatproof glass, and add 1 fresh ginger slice if you like.
1 minStep 2: Bring ¾ cup water to a rolling boil and pour it straight over the coffee from a little height so the grounds swirl up.
2 minStep 3: Stir once or twice to wet all the grounds and dissolve the sugar, then put a saucer on top.
1 minStep 4: Leave untouched until the crust on top sinks and the surface turns clear and dark.
4 minStep 5: Sip slowly from the top without stirring, and leave the last finger of sludge in the glass.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 40 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 9 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kopi tubruk take?
- About 7 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 1 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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