It’s that time of the year again—when the sniffles, sneezes, and allergies take over our homes. Last week, all of us at home were down with a cold, and nothing felt better than a hot cup of Chukku Kaapi or hot and sour Tomato Rasam.
What is Chukku Kaapi?
Chukku Kaapi is a traditional South Indian herbal coffee that combines chukku (dry ginger), coffee powder, black pepper, and jaggery. The word “Chukku” refers to dry ginger, a key ingredient known for its warming and medicinal properties. In South India, we call coffee “Kaapi.” Unlike regular coffee, which people drink for its caffeine kick, Chukku Kaapi brews for its health benefits, especially during the cold and flu season.
While many versions of this herbal coffee exist, but this recipe stands out because of the addition of Panikoorka. Known as the Mother of All Herbs, Panikoorka is a medicinal herb. It is also called Indian Borage, Karpooravalli (Tamil), Doddapatre (Kannada), and Patta Ajwain (Hindi). Panikoorka carries powerful medicinal properties that naturally help relieve cold, cough, and flu symptoms.
Why Panikoorka in Chukku Kaapi?
Panikoorka is a well-known home remedy for respiratory illnesses. It has been a staple in my home garden forever. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a must-have ingredient when treating seasonal colds and congestion.
For kids, I simply boil a pot of water with a couple of Panikoorka leaves, and they drink it throughout the day to help with congestion and immunity. When added to Chukku Kaapi, along with other spices and herbs it enhances the drink’s medicinal value, making it even more effective in fighting colds, coughs, and flu symptoms.
Chukku Kaapi
Chukku Kaapi recipe with Panikoorka (Mother of All Herbs) - A powerful herbal coffee infused with dry ginger, black pepper, cumin, and jaggery for natural healing. Try this easy recipe today!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp coffee powder
- 2 Panikoorka leaves (Mother of All Herbs, also known as Indian Borage) or a handfull of Thulasi (Holy Basil) leaves
- 1 tsp chukku powder (dry ginger powder)
- ½ tsp crushed black pepper
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp jaggery (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add chukku powder, crushed black pepper, cumin seeds, and Panikoorka leaves (or Thulasi leaves, if using). Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Stir in the jaggery and let it dissolve completely.
- Add coffee powder and let it steep for another minute.
- Strain the mixture into a cup and enjoy the soothing herbal coffee.
Why You Should Try This Version of Chukku Kaapi
Traditional Chukku Kaapi is well-known for its warming and healing properties, but this version takes it a step further with Panikoorka. This powerful medicinal herb helps:
- Relieve congestion and sore throat
- Reduce cough and flu symptoms
- Boost immunity and fight infections
- Improve digestion and soothe inflammation
So, the next time you feel a cold creeping in, skip the store-bought syrups and brew yourself a cup of Chukku Kaapi with Panikoorka. Trust me, your throat (and your soul) will thank you!
Have you tried Panikoorka in your home remedies? Share your thoughts and variations in the comments or tag me @platefullofyumm!