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La Greca: Dominican coffee and morning mochas

2/2/2013

10 Comments

 
Before there existed the Keurig and Mr. Coffee single-serving coffee makers and with their fancy coffee packets and many-flavored pods, where the touch of a button will supposedly deliver the perfect mug of your favorite morning vice, there was an old-school method for creating the perfect cup of joe: La Greca. 
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This little beauty is a Dominican household staple. With just three pieces, its about as simple as it gets. No coffee filters, no pods. Just pure and simple old-fashioned goodness. 
(P.S. Please forgive the not-so-prettiness of our Greca. It has been used fondly and frequently for years now and all the love has left its mark)
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Step 1: Fill the bottom piece with water. 
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Step 2: Set the middle piece on top of the bottom pieces and scoop in two spoonful's of your favorite brand of coffee (Santo Domingo brand is the most popular in these parts).
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Step 3: Add a dash of cinnamon. Ok so this part isn't really a Dominican thing, I just found that it tastes amazing. 
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Step 4: Screw on the top piece, turn on your burner, and plop the whole thing right down on top. Now all you have to do is wait. 
Or if you are like me, you can take this time to turn your perfect cup of coffee into the perfect morning mocha.  . 

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All you have to do is grab your Almond milk (of course you could use real milk too, but we're trying to keep this a nice a low calorie beverage, plus I love the slightly nutty flavor it gives) and fill a mug half full, then warm it in the microwave for about a minute. 
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By this time, your Greca should be steaming, the tell-tale sign that you've just brewed a wonderful mug of goodness and it's all set to go. 
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Fill the rest of your mug with your just-brewed coffee and two heaping spoonful's of cocoa powder. We want this baby nice and chocolaty. 
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Lastly, sweeten to taste. For me, that's one teaspoon of raw sugar for just a hint of sweetness. 
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Your mocha is best enjoyed outdoors in the morning sunshine where you can watch as the world comes alive. It also goes well with stacks of paper that need grading and late-night movies with friends. Up to you :)
Have a beautiful day!
10 Comments
amber link
2/2/2013 09:13:28 pm

This looks so yummy! I was just talking to Fabian about how I am hooked on my greca, rich coffe in 5 minutes and no waste :)

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Molly link
2/3/2013 07:32:54 am

Grecas are the best! I don't know why they haven't caught on in the U.S.

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Tomas link
3/5/2013 07:41:27 am

They are the BEST!
They are too ugly for fussy Americans!

Molly link
3/5/2013 11:39:28 am

So true!

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Yamile
4/28/2013 12:10:53 am

There are lots of grecas that look way better than the "traditional" model, I was raised in DR and my mom always had the pretty italian made ones you can buy at Casa Cuesta, and I've seen lots of those here in Miami

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Simone Herrera link
3/6/2014 06:39:40 am

Molly, this is awesome : )

Very detailed (down to the well worn Greca) and very well articulated!
I will be following your blog from here on out : )

Simone

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Dominican Dave
4/21/2016 12:46:11 pm

Why are they called "greca" ?

Reply
MC
9/26/2021 09:37:38 am

Greca is a brand name that has become the commonly used name for any coffee maker in the DR.

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Patricia Rodriguez
6/3/2023 05:51:47 am

Where can I find one of these grecas? Same material. I have a few but they are aluminum they don't look as strong as this one.

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Mercedes De La Cruz
9/10/2023 05:23:24 am

Molly, I will follow you from now on thank you

Reply



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    Hola! My name is Molly and I was recently hired through the travel abroad company CIEE as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for the PUCMM, a university located in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Hopefully this blog will give future travelers an insight into teaching abroad, while also helping me log my adventures and stay in touch with friends back home. 

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