Dry Ginger Coffee (Sukku Malli Coffee) – 100g

Sukku malli is the drink Tamil homes have reached for on rainy evenings and on the morning after a cold for generations. Dry ginger and coriander form the base, with pepper, long pepper, chitharathai and cardamom for warmth, and a little palm candy already ground in for balance.

To prepare: add one teaspoon to a cup of water, boil it well, strain and drink hot. It takes milk if you prefer, though most people drink it plain.

Despite the name there is no coffee bean and no caffeine in it, so it can be drunk late in the evening.