Café Touba (Senegalese Spiced Coffee)
In short: Strong coffee simmered with Selim pepper and cloves, then strained and sweetened, a peppery, smoky cup that Senegalese vendors pour all day. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 22 kcal
Café Touba is Senegal's spiced coffee, made by brewing ground coffee with grains of Selim, a peppery, smoky African spice, and a few cloves. It is strong, aromatic and usually served very sweet in small cups from street vendors and at gatherings. The spice gives it a flavor somewhere between pepper and smoke. This home method uses a saucepan and a cloth or paper filter, and a substitute for Selim is given below.
Instructions
- Mix the ground coffee, crushed Selim pods and cloves together in a small bowl.
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the coffee mixture and stir once.
- Lower the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Do not let it boil over.
- Remove from the heat and rest for 2 minutes so the grounds settle.
- Pour through a cloth or paper filter into small cups. Stir in sugar to taste and serve very hot.
Tips
- Selim is also sold as djar, Guinea pepper or Moor pepper. If you cannot find it, use a pinch of ground black pepper and one extra clove, though the smoky note will be milder.
- Brew in a cezve or small pot and filter through a clean cotton cloth, as street vendors do, for a clearer cup.
Questions and answers
Does Café Touba taste like regular coffee?
It tastes like strong coffee with a peppery, slightly smoky edge from the Selim. The sugar and cloves round it out.
Can I add milk?
Yes. It is most often drunk black, but a splash of hot oat or soy milk also works if you like a softer cup.
Is Selim pepper hot?
No. It adds aroma and a mild peppery bite, not the heat of chili. Use less if you want a more subtle cup.
How long does it take to make Café Touba (Senegalese Spiced Coffee)?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Café Touba (Senegalese Spiced Coffee)?
About 22 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 22 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
