Brew a bold and flavorful Lebanese Cardamom French press coffee. Everyday beans meet cardamom Arabica for an energizing cup at home.
This recipe is my go-to when I’m craving something a little more elevated than my usual French press coffee. By mixing Lebanese-style cardamom-flavored coffee with everyday beans, you get a cup that’s quick, easy, and packed with an extra boost of ‘energy’.
What Is Lebanese Cardamom French Press Coffee?
In the Middle East, coffee is traditionally made using a rakweh coffee pot, where finely ground beans are boiled in water and served in small espresso-sized cups. The grounds settle to the bottom, and the coffee is sipped slowly. Often, cardamom pods are added to infuse the brew with an aromatic and flavored depth.
My French press version blends that same bold, cardamom-infused flavor with the convenience of French press brewing. The only extra steps are sourcing the cardamom-flavored Arab coffee (found in international or Middle Eastern grocery stores), weighing out the ratio of your preferred ‘everyday’ beans to Arab coffee, and brewing as you normally would. I personally use a medium-dark roast bean for my daily coffee and pair it with a finely ground 100% Arabica Lebanese-style cardamom coffee. It’s a delicious balance of bold, aromatic, and deep taste.
Ingredients
For 1 cup of coffee:
- 10 g medium-dark roast coffee beans, ground medium-coarse
- 5 g Lebanese-style cardamom Arab coffee (finely ground)
- 225 g (1 cup) hot water at 200°F / 93°C
- Sweetener of choice (optional)
- Milk or whitener of choice (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Equipment needed:
French press, kitchen scale, spoon, timer, kettle, thermometer
- Measure your coffee. For 1 serving, use 10 g of your everyday medium-coarse ground coffee and 5 g of finely ground Lebanese cardamom coffee. Adjust the ratio to taste (see Tips section below).
- Combine the grounds & add hot water. Place both coffees into your French press. Pour 225 g of water at 200°F (93°C) into the press. Stir gently to mix the grounds.
- Steep. Cover with the lid and let it brew for 5 minutes.
- Press slowly. If you feel resistance, lift the plunger, stir gently with a spoon or swirl the French press, then press down again until fully lowered.
- Serve. Pour into a cup and add sweetener and milk as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Tips for the Perfect Lebanese Cardamom French Press Coffee
- Start with a 2:1 ratio of your everyday beans to Arab coffee for balance. Ratio can be adjusted: 1:1 is stronger, 3:1 is lighter.
- Expect some sediment. The fine grounds may settle at the bottom, just like traditional Arab coffee — it’s part of the experience!
- Mind the filter. The fine grounds can clog the press; if that happens, gently stir or swirl before pressing again.
- Use fresh, quality beans. Medium-dark roast everyday coffee works beautifully, but experiment with your favorite roast.
