“Chukku kaapi” is a traditional coffee served in Kerala, a southern state of India renowned as the birthplace of Ayurveda. It is but natural that the most common spiced coffee hails from the “Land of Spice”.

For ages, our ancestors have believed in the therapeutic properties of spices and have used them as home remedies to cure common ailments (1). Over the years, modern science has backed them and reinforced the fact.

Chukku Kaapi or ginger-coffee is made by brewing coffee powder with dry ginger. As the monsoon hits the state and the temperature goes down, sore throat, cold, cough, flu are the most common occurrences here.

This unique decoction when taken is believed to boost your immunity and help treat these ailments (2). Often there are other spices that are also mixed with the coffee. They are black pepper, holy basil, and cumin. 

What is Chukku Kaapi: Herbal Ginger Coffee 

Chukku Kaapi, pronounced as Chook-Ku Kaa-pee, comes from the Malayalam word “chukku” which means ginger, and “kaapi” means coffee.

This herbal decoction has been in use for ages and has been created with ancient culinary wisdom.

This is also very popular in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu where it is famously known as “Sukkuu Kaapi”. In Tamil, ginger is known sukkuu, and that’s how it gets its name.

Chukku kaapi or ginger coffee has the goodness of ginger and the stimulating effect of coffee. It can provide great relief to cough, throat ache, cold, nasal congestion, and even indigestion and diarrhoea (3), (4).

The dry ginger plays a major role in promoting a healthy body and the rich aroma of coffee can instantly cheer you up. This coffee works best without milk. It is both healthy and invigorating.

Chukku Kaapi Recipe: How to Prepare Ginger Coffee at Home

As the southwest monsoon brings the monsoon rain or Edavapathi, the chilly mornings make most people crave a hot cup of coffee. And while the weather becomes cooler, the fever season starts too.

sick woman having ginger black coffee or chukku kaapi to treat cold and fever

Chukku kaapi can be the ultimate solution to both, providing warmth, energizing, and refreshing you while offering you the therapeutic solution for most monsoon related diseases.

Chukku Kaapi Recipe

Have a look at how you can make Chukku kaapi at home if you don’t have a pre-mixed herbal ginger coffee powder for it.

Ingredients:

  • Water – 2 cups

  • Dry ginger powder – 1 tsp

  • Black pepper powder – ½ tsp

  • Coffee powder – 1 tsp

  • Holy basil- 5 to 10 (as per choice)

  • Cumin seeds – ¼ tsp

  • Cardamom powder- ½ tsp

  • Palm jaggery – as per taste

The measurement of the ingredients will change depending on how many cups you want to make. The spice amount can also change as per your choice.

Instructions:

  • First, boil the water in a saucepan. 

  • Add the palm jaggery in the boiling water and stir it until it dissolves.

  • Once, that is done, put your spices such as dry ginger powder, cumin seeds, coffee powder, and black pepper. Let it boil in slow heat for some time so that the spices are nicely dispersed in the water.

  • Add your holy basil (tulsi) leaves and let the mixture be in slow heat for another 2 minutes.

  • Before taking it off the flame, add your cardamom powder and a pinch of salt.

  • Strain the coffee and it is good to go.

However, in recent days, manufacturers have made this process much easier for you.

Get Readymade Chukku Kaapi Powder/Herbal Ginger Coffee Powder

Now chukku podi or ginger coffee packets are available which come with all these spices. You just need to put a spoon in a cup of boiling water and let it brew for 5 minutes. Your aromatic, refreshing, healthy cuppa is ready for you.

In addition to dry ginger and coffee, there are various brands that also contains black pepper, cardamon, jaiphal (nutmeg), and palm jaggery.

Health Benefits of Chukku Kaapi

Most health benefits of chukku kaapi are because of the dry ginger and various spices present in it. Ginger ( Zingiber officinale) contains oleoresin that contains many bioactive components, which exert a variety of pharmacological and physiological activities (5), (6), (7).

Ginger comes from the same plant family as cardamom, galangal, and turmeric. The main component in it is “gingerols” which are the ketones responsible for the aroma. It is the main bioactive compound that has medicinal properties (8). It is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and is a strong anti-oxidant (9).

Let’s have a look at the benefits of this magical drink on us:

  • Its anti-bacterial property help as an antidote for throat infections (10)

  • Helps reduce congestion in the nose and chest (11)

  • Has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate inflammation of tonsils which can also lead to a sore throat (12)

  • Drinking ginger-coffee in the morning on an empty stomach can help boost your immune system because of its antioxidant properties (13)

  • It can also help prevent pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting as well as the ones related to chemotherapy (14)

  • It can relieve gastrointestinal distress by reducing gas, indigestion, and stomach cramps (15)

  • It helps eliminate toxins and decrease congestion 

  • It is shown to be effective in preventing skin rashes and irritation (16)

  • Some also believe in its ability to lower blood pressure (17)

How to Consume Herbal Ginger Coffee Remedy for Cold and Cough

As has been already mentioned in the section on how to make your own ginger coffee, make a cup for yourself, and have it in the mornings and evenings. It is better if you have it in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. 

The goodness of ginger, holy basil, black pepper, and cumin can help treat your cold and cough while their anti-inflammatory properties can soothe your throat and reduce the pain.

young woman sneezing and wiping nose due to cold

Precautions to Follow

Please do keep in mind, like every other thing, consuming in moderation is the key.

Do not exceed the daily consumption of ginger-coffee more than twice or thrice a day. Dry ginger can cause throat irritation and excess coffee can lead to insomnia.

How to Store Chukku Kaapi Powder

If you are making chukku podi (powder) at home, try to make it in bulk and store them in an airtight container. Keep it in a dark and cold place.

It can be made by dry roasting the ingredients, cooling them off, and grinding them into a fine paste. You may add palm jaggery for sweetness while brewing the powder in water.

The Final Note

Chukku kaapi or dry ginger coffee is a South Indian traditional beverage that is known to boost immunity and treat sore throat, common cold, cough, nasal congestion, and many more ailments.

It has been the trusted drink for ages amongst generations and is the best home remedy for a lot of health problems.

Ginger coffee twice a day can definitely keep cold and cough away.