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Caffè d'orzo
Barley coffee
Caffè d'orzo: Italy's caffeine-free roasted barley coffee
In Italian bars you can always ask for "un orzo": a hot drink made from roasted barley that looks like coffee and has a toasty, slightly sweet taste but no caffeine. During the war, when coffee was scarce, families drank it every morning, and today it is given to children, pregnant women and anyone avoiding caffeine. It can be made in a moka pot, served in a small cup like espresso or in a large one with milk. Barley contains gluten. Chef's tip: don't press the barley into the moka basket like coffee; packed tightly, it blocks the water and the pot hisses.
- Total time
- 7 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp ground roasted barley (orzo)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp sugaropt
- ½ cup oat drink (optional)to make it creamy
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Fill the bottom of a moka pot with 1 cup water up to the valve. Spoon 3 tbsp ground roasted barley (orzo) loosely into the basket without pressing. Common mistake: packing it down; the water can't pass through.
Step 2: Put the pot on a medium heat and let it bubble up for 4–5 minutes, until the top chamber is full and gurgling.
5 minStep 3: Alternatively, simmer the barley in the water in a pan for 3 minutes, then leave for 2 minutes and strain through a fine sieve or coffee filter.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 15 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does caffè d'orzo take?
- About 7 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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