5 Ken-Tex coffees to try

Rodgers and I love to drink coffee. If you've hosted our family at your house, you know how important this is to us. Likely, we walked into your house and said, "Thanks for letting us stay here. Do you drink coffee? And if not, do you at least have a coffee maker? And if not, who do we know that we can borrow a coffee maker from?"

Here are some coffee recipes inspired by our experiences, in Kenya and in Texas. (Spices can be added to coffee grounds before brewing.)

Mombasa White Coffee

Brew the coffee with milk instead of water. But don't do this in a coffee maker - you don't want milk in there. Use a coffee press. Or use the Kenyan method: heat milk with coffee grounds in it, then strain them out. Then, add tons of sugar.

This was one of the hard things for a coffee drinker to get used to. When we ordered coffee, it was offered black or white. I want black coffee with a tiny bit of milk. But they make it either all milk - yes, brewed with milk - or all water. There was one place that would give me a half and half, though. Now we know a few restaurants that have cappuccino machines and make real espresso drinks, and we order anything besides coffee at the other places.

Malindi 

Add to coffee grounds: 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Brew coffee.
Serve topped with whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, and a swirl of chocolate syrup.

Inspired by Java House's Malindi Macchiato. I adore this drink.

Kahindi

This is just coffee - medium to bold roast black coffee.

This is how we drink it in our house every day! Actually, I've got a cup of this at my elbow as I type.

Lamu Kahawa Tungu (or Lamu bitter coffee)

Add to coffee grounds: 1/2 tsp ground cardamom and 1/4 tsp ground ginger. Brew coffee.
Drink it black from a small cup. Serve with a side of dates.
Tip: Add sugar to make it kahawa tamu (sweet coffee).

I tried kahawa tungu and kahawa tamu in Lamu a couple of years ago. The wazee brewing the coffee couldn't believe I could handle it without any sugar at all. The first day, they insisted I drink tamu. The second day, they consented to half and half. Even a half cup of kahawa tamu was way too much sugar for me. But the spices are great!

Mi Cafè Tejano

Serve coffee in a big mug with:

• Splash of cream
• Swirl of caramel syrup
• Swirl of chocolate syrup

When we're home in Texas, we spoil ourselves.