Cafe Touba tastes like a traditional cup of French Roast coffee, but with a twist. It is named after the city in Senegal, where it was invented and produced.
Cafe Touba is primarily made in West Africa-Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana.
Origins
Made with fresh coffee beans and flavored with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and pepper, there’s a big debate about whether Touba is actually coffee or a dish. It’s made with ground coffee beans, not brewed like traditional coffee.
However, what started as a religious tradition of Sufis (Muslims who practice mysticism) is now a secular drink that everyone in Senegal enjoys, from the most religious Muslims to non-Muslims.
When Sheik Amadou Bamba returned from exile in Gabon, his followers found that he drank coffee daily and always mixed in a bit of Selim pepper. This way, Cafe Touba was born—the Sheikh’s special blend of coffee. He even gave specific instructions on how to brew it—reciting prayers before and after preparation.
Making Cafe Touba
This recipe requires you to prepare the spices in advance, like Mexican spiced coffee (cafe de olla) and coffee with cinnamon. But instead of simmering them in milk, you’ll toast them in oil—adding a smoky flavor.
There are two methods to prepare the Selim pepper: you can either toast the entire pod for a few minutes in a pan or in the oven and grind it up in a spice grinder. Another option is to separate the seeds from the pods, a process made easier if you toast the pods first. The resulting seeds are a delicate addition to coffee and offer a unique experience.
For a 40g dose of café Touba, most recipes ask for 10g of Selim powder. I’ve found that brewing it in a Chemex produces excellent results.
Ingredients
- Coffee beans (ground medium-fine)
- Selim pepper pod
- Nutmeg
- Coriander Seeds
- Cardamom pod
- Ground ginger
- Avocado oil
Instructions
- First, grab a medium saucepan, coat its bottom with enough avocado oil, and let it slowly heat on medium flame.
- Slightly roast the Selim pepper pod until it starts releasing its aroma. Once the pod is toasted well, remove its seeds and place them into a food grinder.
- Remove the cardamom seeds from their pods and place them in the grinder. Next up, add the coriander seeds and let the grinder do its magic!
- Once the spices are ground, toast them in the saucepan until they are fragrant. Make sure also to add shredded ginger and nutmeg this time.
- Now, the toasting process is over. It is finally time to brew our coffee for this recipe. AeroPress is an excellent choice here. All you have to do is add medium-fine grind coffee along with your ground spices and hot water.
- Once added, stir all these ingredients together for 30 seconds. Place the plunger on top of the AeroPress and gently push it down to create a vacuum.
- Voila! That’s it! Finally, it is time to press the coffee into your mug and enjoy!
FAQs
Can we Add Sugar to Cafe Touba?
Of course, you can add sweetener to Touba coffee. Brown sugar goes exceptionally well with this spiced coffee, but honey, agave, or sugar substitutes are also good options. Be sure not to add too much sweetener, or your coffee will be too sweet.
Can we Add Whole Milk to Touba Coffee?
Yes, you can add steamed milk. The spices in Touba coffee work well with any kind of milk or milk alternative. Many people say that whole milk tastes best, but oat milk is also a great substitute.
Are there any Health Benefits of Drinking Touba Coffee?
Senegalese use Touba coffee as a medicinal drink excessively. The combination of the anti-oxidant properties of the coffee and those of the Guinean pepper (Selim pepper) make it invigorating. In addition, it is also a natural antidepressant.
Is there any Alternative to Selim Pepper?
If you can’t find Selim pepper in the market, pumpkin pie spice is a good substitute.
Conclusion
Café Touba is a great way to add a bit of Senegalese cuisine to your coffee routine. The strong, aromatic brew goes well with desserts like sombi (Senegalese coconut rice pudding) or spiced Nigerian doughnuts.
If you are feeling like trying something unique and healthy, don’t forget to give Cafe Touba a try.
