How to Make Indonesian Kopi Tobruk

Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Kopi tobruk is coffee prepared in utter simplicity. Indonesian supermarkets sell a wide selection of pre-ground specialty coffees, but your preferred brand of regular grind will do just as well. Sometimes referred to as “mud coffee,” it is one of the most common forms of coffee available in Indonesia. When in Indonesia, knowing how to make your own coffee kopi tobruk is the better alternative to drinking the local instant 3-1 coffees which are sweet or too sweet, or to buying expensive coffee at the fancy coffee shops. Also, it is not uncommon to find a container of ground coffee at the breakfast table of your Indonesian hostel or resort. That's for making kopi tobruk and not for making instant coffee.

Steps

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Beer mugs are common in Indonesia but they serve as tea mugs. Teas are often over-watered and flavorless so they need to drink a lot of it, but that’s another story. Add sugar to the kopi tobruk if you wish.
^{[1]
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Research source} Do not allow it to go into a roiling boil as this will cause the water, as subsequently your coffee, to taste flat. Pour enough water to fill your mug to about a centimeter from the brim.

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This will give the coffee grounds time to settle to the bottom.
Discard the dregs afterwards, but not into the sink as this will eventually clog your sink's P-trap.^{[2]
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How coarse should the beans be ground?

Community Answer

For this method, very fine (powder) is best. Otherwise the grounds float on the top and don't extract.

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