Transport yourself to the vibrant streets of Costa Rica with our authentic Café Chorreado recipe. This beloved traditional drink embodies the essence of Costa Rican culture, offering a rich and aromatic blend of locally sourced coffee, sweetened with rich, raw cane sugar. The preparation of Café Chorreado is an art form, steeped in tradition and passed down through generations, evoking a sense of warmth and community with every sip.

In this recipe, we'll guide you through the steps to create your own Café Chorreado at home, so you can experience the flavors of Costa Rica wherever you are. Prepare to awaken your senses and embark on a journey of pure indulgence with each velvety-smooth sip of this exquisite Costa Rican delicacy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of high-quality Costa Rican coffee beans
• 2 cups of water
• 1-2 tablespoons of raw cane sugar (optional, to taste)

Equipment:

• Chorreador (traditional wooden coffee maker)
• Coffee grinder
• Kettle or pot for boiling water
• Coffee mug or cup

Instructions:

1- Start by grinding the Costa Rican coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency. This grind size is optimal for the drip method used in Café Chorreado.

2- Heat the water in a kettle or pot until it reaches just below boiling point, around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).

3- Set up your chorreador by placing the wooden stand over your coffee mug or cup. Make sure the cloth filter is securely attached to the metal ring and positioned within the chorreador.

4- Place the ground coffee into the cloth filter, distributing it evenly.

5- Slowly pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds, just enough to saturate them. Allow the coffee grounds to "bloom" for about 30 seconds, releasing their flavors and aromas.

6- After the initial bloom, continue pouring the hot water over the coffee grounds in a steady, circular motion. The water should drip through the cloth filter and coffee grounds, extracting the rich flavors of the coffee.

7- Adjust the flow of water as needed to maintain a consistent drip rate. Aim for a total brewing time of around 3 to 4 minutes.

8- Once all the water has dripped through the coffee grounds, remove the chorreador from the cup. Discard the used coffee grounds.

9- If desired, sweeten your Café Chorreado with raw cane sugar to taste. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

10- Serve your freshly brewed Café Chorreado hot and enjoy the authentic flavors of Costa Rican drip coffee.

11- For an added touch of tradition, pair your Café Chorreado with traditional Costa Rican breakfast items like gallo pinto (rice and beans) or pastries like bizcochos (sweet bread).

12- ¡Buen provecho! Enjoy your taste of Costa Rica with this delicious Café Chorreado brewed using the traditional method of the chorreador.

Nutritional Values:

Nutritional values for the ingredients in the recipe:

High-quality Costa Rican coffee beans (per 1 cup):

• Calories: Approximately 2 (as coffee beans are very low in calories)
• Total Fat: Negligible
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 0.5 grams
• Protein: Approximately 0.1 grams

benefits:

• Rich source of antioxidants, which may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Contains caffeine, which can improve mental alertness and enhance cognitive function.
• May have potential health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Water (per 2 cups):

• Calories: 0
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams

benefits:

• Essential for hydration and maintaining bodily functions.
• Supports digestion, nutrient absorption, and toxin removal.
• Helps regulate body temperature and lubricate joints.

Raw cane sugar (per 1 tablespoon):

• Calories: Approximately 49
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 12.6 grams
• Protein: 0 grams

benefits:

• Provides a quick source of energy due to its carbohydrate content.
• Contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium.
• Adds sweetness and enhances flavor in foods and beverages.

Please note that the nutritional values for coffee beans and water are negligible, as they contain very few calories, fat, carbohydrates, or protein. The nutritional values provided for raw cane sugar are based on an average tablespoon. Adjustments should be made according to the actual amount used in your Café Chorreado, as it is optional and added "to taste."