How to Make Cafezinho (Brazilian Coffee Recipe)

If you’ve ever been to Brazil, then you already know how much Brazilians love their coffee. More specifically, they love Cafezinho. Ready to learn how to make Brazilian coffee?

Cafezinho is wildly popular in Brazil. So, what is Cafezinho? Really, the only significant difference between regular coffee and Brazilian coffee (or cafezinho) comes down to sugar.

Making traditional Cafezinho requires more sugar than your average cup of joe. And it requires a specific kind of sugar called Panela. Panela is a raw, unrefined cane sugar produced and consumed throughout Latin America.

If you’re excited just thinking about making your own Cafezinho, Panela is fairly easy to get your hands on. Try Just Panela Unrefined and Organic Cane Sugar.

Cafezinho & Brazilian Culture

Yes, Brazil loves it’s coffee.

Walk into pretty much any restaurant or cafe in Brazil, and they will immediately ask you if you want some coffee. The word Cafezinho is actually a Brazilian welcome that means “coffee with friends.”

Brazilians often greet – or welcome – others by bringing them a cup of high-quality Brazilian coffee. Pretty awesome, huh? Way better than a fist bump.

How to Make Cafezinho

You don’t need much to make Cafezinho. First, you’ll need to get your equipment ready. And the only equipment you need to make Cafezhino is:

• 1 Pot for Boiling Water
• 1 Serving Glass
• 1 Coffee Filter

Cafezinho Ingredients

The list of ingredients for Cafezinho is just as simple as the list of equipment. For a delicious Cafezinho, these are the only ingredients you need:

• 5 Cups of Filtered Water
• 5 Tablespoons of High-quality, Finely Ground Coffee
• 3-4 teaspoons of Panela
• Cream or Milk (optional!)

Process

Once you’ve got all your equipment and ingredients ready, it’s time to brew!

1. Add your water and Panela to your pot. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
2. Once a rolling boil is reached, remove from heat and add in your coffee grounds. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Filter the mixture into your serving glass.
4. Add milk or cream if you wish.
5. Serve/drink immediately.

What Type of Coffee is Best for Cafezinho?

You can use pretty much any type of coffee to make Cafezinho. So, if you have a favorite, go-to coffee you prefer to use at home, by all means use it. The choice is yours.

However, here are some recommendations to keep in mind:

Cafezinho drinkers typically look for bold, complex flavors. So, consider using a single-origin coffee with a medium or dark roast. Again, the choice is yours. If you have a favorite origin and roast, go for it!

If authenticity is your thing, Brazil has several delicious coffee brands. Some favorites include:

• Cafe Pilao – Strong, slow-roasted, full-flavored, and made with beans from some of the best planting regions in Brazil. Try the best-selling medium roast.
• Buffalo Buck’s Coffee – Buffalo Buck’s is a popular micro roasting coffee house known for it’s medium-bodied coffee from the Cerrado region of Brazil. They roast in small batches to seal in the flavor, and ship within 24 hours of roasting.
• Volcanica Brazil Peaberry Coffee – Volcanica’s Pure Brazil Peaberry Coffee is known for its smooth flavor, delightful aroma, and full, rich body. Nutty and sweet with hints of raspberry.

Whatever coffee you choose, just make sure it’s finely ground. Or make sure you use a grinder that can give your beans an espresso consistency, ensuring that your coffee has the most flavor. This affordable Cuisinart Grinder is a solid bet with its 18-position grind selector.