Monday, May 9, 2011
Perfect Espresso
The espresso forms an integral part of most drinks on a coffee house menu, and therefore it is imperative that the espresso be perfectly poured.
The perfect espresso starts with sourcing the best flavour beans. Italian beans are recognised as being the best, with a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans. Coffee is grown in many different regions of the world and various flavours can be achieved by different beans. Once the desired beans have been located the following factors are important in creating the best tasting espresso.
The grind
The coffee should be ground to a consistency that is neither too fine nor too coarse. Grinds that are too fine will cause the coffee to be over extracted when poured and result in a bitter/ burnt taste. Coffee beans that are grind too coarse will make the coffee weak tasting.
The coffee weight
The weight of the ground coffee for a single espresso should be 7 grams with a margin of usually 1 gram either way. A commercial grinder can be adjusted to ensure that the correct measure of coffee is dispensed with each pull. Even if the grinds are correct, an inaccurate measure of coffee will result in an incorrect pour.
The pour time
Having achieved correct coffee grind consistency and measure of 7 grams, the coffee should be extracted for 20 seconds from an espresso machine. This pour time in some coffee houses has a margin of between 20 seconds to 30 seconds, however 20 seconds is the ideal pour time for correct tasting espresso. Similarly to the grind consistency, a long pour can result in the coffee being burnt and bitter tasting. A quick pour is under extracting the coffee taste. The pour of the coffee to 20 seconds should achieve a 30ml pour of espresso.
How To Choose The Best Coffee Maker Or Espresso Machine For You
Coffee lovers have come a long way since the days when retired NBL players were plugging coffee makers on television. In the late 1990's what America thought was just a Seattle fad like grunge music and the ever re-occurring "torn jeans" fashion statement turned out to be an evolution of Java worship that would make Juan Valdez proud. Today, the ordinary "cup of Joe" born from a percolating coffee pot is but memory for coffee connoisseurs and practically unheard of by the younger generation born into the hip and trendy coffee-house scene.
It's not surprising that with all the Mochachinos, Caramel Latte's and Cappucino Royales tempting us around every corner these days, that Americans have become spoiled and good old Taster's Choice isn't cuttin' it! It's also not a shocker that smart coffee drinkers are fed up with having to pay up to $7 bucks a pop to get a "Grande" version of something that can be easily recreated at home for pennies. Thank you Seattle for your introduction to fabulous coffee creations and also for inspiring the new wave of home espresso machines and deluxe coffee makers.
Espresso Machine Or Coffee Maker?
Fancy Coffee Drinkers - If you haven't been paying attention to what's happening behind the Starbucks counter when you order you mint mocha caffe' latte' you may not notice that the base of your steamy frothy drink is just regular coffee. It's only the ingredients added and preparation involved that make it the delicious masterpiece you're willing to pay $5.95 for. A quality coffee maker, a good roast of freshly ground beans, a few household ingredients and a little creativity you can make ten of them for that price; in the comfort of your home.
Strong Coffee & Espresso Lovers - Bean enthusiasts who can't get enough caffeine and enjoy the deep effervescence, rugged taste and instant kick of a dark strong roast can appreciate a small espresso machine for the home. They are as easy to use as a coffee pot with the capability of making one or two portions at a time. Most models come equipped with a coffee press and steamer to prepare milk for Cappuccino.
Frappuccino & Iced Coffee Fans - Which ever type of coffee maker you choose, be sure to invest in a good blender if you like mocha smoothies, frappuccino and iced coffee. All you have to do to recreate these coffee-house favorites is throw your coffee or espresso into a blender and ice, ice cream, chocolate or caramel syrup and give it a whirl. That's what Starbucks does.
Restaurant Coffee Maker Upgrades - If you're a restaurant owner, there's no better time than now to get on the Seattle coffee bandwagon -- if you haven't since 1992. It's not a fad, and the coffee craze is here to stay. Coffee preparation has become a gourmet art and coffee drinking has evolved to proportions beyond return.
So thank you Seattle. For improving the way America drinks coffee, listens to music and for bringing back the flannel shirt.
Cappuccino Secrets: Creating the Perfect Foam
Most places that serve cappuccinos in the United States have not trained their baristas in the art of properly frothing milk. The foam that they create is usually a dry, tasteless, large celled collection of bubbles that sit on top of the espresso like a meringue.
With a little care, you can create steamed milk that is velvety smooth like the texture of wet shaving cream. The bubbles will be so small that you can barely see them! This is the way it's supposed to be, because this way, it will blend with the espresso, creating a harmony of the flavors instead of a dry, tasteless cap floating on top. Let's Begin.
First off, it's important to start with cold milk that's just out of the fridge. Pour the milk into the steaming pitcher until it is just about 1/3 of the way full. Milk will double to triple in volume after the frothing process. A stainless steel pitcher works best. It will dissipate some of the heat, allowing more time to infuse air into the milk before the milk gets too hot.
For a home made cappuccino, you'll have to learn the art of creating a perfect foam.
Also use a thermometer to get the milk to the correct temperature of 145 degrees. There are many thermometers made for this purpose that will clip onto the side of the pitcher for convenience.
The Technique:
Purge the steam wand onto a damp towel by releasing the valve for a few seconds. Be very careful not to burn yourself, the steam will be extremely hot. This purging will get all of the water out so you don't get it in your milk.
Next, submerge the wand into the milk and quickly turn the steam on full power. Avoid letting the tip of the wand come out of the milk. This will cause splattering and create large, tasteless bubbles.
Adjust the wand so that it is pointing off center in order to get the milk to flowing in a rapid, circular motion. Maintaining this fast, circulating vortex is vital.
Then, slowly lower the pitcher until the tip of the wand is just below the surface of the milk (keeping the circulation going). When you can hear a hissing noise, similar to bacon frying, you have reached the perfect position for the wand to inject air into the milk.
Try to maintain this hissing noise while keeping the milk rotating. You will have to slowly lower the pitcher as the milk volume rises in order to keep the wand tip just under the surface.
By keeping the milk flowing in a rapid circle, any large bubbles that are accidentally created will be rolled into the milk and eliminated. Continue steaming until the milk reaches 145 degrees. Be careful not to get the milk too hot, it will scald giving it a bad taste.
That's pretty much it! If you have a few large bubbles, you can try to get rid of them by tapping the bottom of the pitcher lightly on the counter. Serve immediately and enjoy some of the silkiest frothed milk you have ever tasted!
One more thing, now that you know how to properly steam the milk, notice how few coffee houses have baristas that take care in this process. Very few use thermometers and end up scalding the milk, or leaving it too cold.
Most will just leave the pitcher sitting there while the wand blows into the milk. Some will use an up and down motion, but this does absolutely nothing for creating tiny, velvety bubbles. It's the rolling action of the milk that's needed.
If you find a barista that shows this skill of frothing milk, then stay with him! He's been trained and probably takes pride in what he does.
The Art Of Coffee Making - Best Tips
Coffee is consumed more than just about any other beverage in the world, and the choices that you have are almost limitless. Flavored, regular, Columbian or Arabica beans, hot, iced, latte or espresso, there are so many different ways that you can prepare the perfect cup of coffee. You may be astounded at actual amount of choices that you have.
You can purchase your coffee ground or whole bean, however for the freshest flavor, it is recommended that you purchase whole bean because coffee looses its flavor slightly after it is ground. It is also recommended that you store your coffee beans in a cool dark place however not in the freezer.
Along with the choices that you have in choosing the perfect coffee, you may also be astounded at the many methods of brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
Percolator, automatic drip, single cup, multi cup and gallons at a time are just some of the choices that you have when you brew your coffee. There are many different coffee brewers on the market today and many people think that you have to have an expensive coffee station with fancy attachments that do everything under the sun to brew the perfect up of coffee. When in reality, it is all in the preparations that you use to brew your coffee.
There are guidelines that you can follow to brew the perfect cup of coffee every time, and the amount of coffee that you use differs with the type of coffee you purchase, and most coffee stations have the capacity to brew twelve cups of coffee at a time.
Water - ALWAYS use cold spring water to brew your coffee
Flavored coffee - use 3/4 cup of fresh ground flavored coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot of coffee
Regular coffee mild roast - use 3/4 cup fresh ground coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot of coffee
Regular coffee medium to dark roast - use 1/2 cup of fresh ground coffee beans for a twelve-cup pot coffee
There are many ways to prepare your coffee, whether you like it black or with cream and sugar, the perfect cup of coffee is not the difficult to make.
Learn About Different Coffee Types
In the United States, we consume a great deal of coffee. Most people can't imagine starting their day or finishing a meal without a cup of coffee. But we never give a thought to how coffee beans are produced, harvested and shipped. We just drink it and take all of that for granted. But maybe we should think about fair treatment for coffee workers.
In many areas of the world, coffee workers are treated unfairly. Large plantations hire laborers at paltry wages and then expect them to work long, backbreaking hours in the sun. Plantations that are part of Fair Trade Coffee have agreed to respect coffee workers' rights. They agree to meet certain minimum standards for working conditions and worker compensation.
The organization behind Fair Trade Coffee tries to educate the coffee consumer so that he will be encouraged to buy products that are not being produced by exploited laborers. Fair Trade Coffee encourages consumers not to buy products they do not certify, and they will not certify a product if it comes from a producer who has unfair conditions.
The concept is that American coffee drinkers will not want to support a company that mistreats its workers, any more than the American consumer wants to buy clothing that is produced in sweatshops. Excellent products for your coffee, your cappuccino or your espresso are available from producers who treat their workers fairly.
As a matter of fact, some people have referred to exploitative plantations as "sweatshops in the fields". And even the small farmer who sells his coffee bean to big exporters is treated unfairly since he gets very little pay for the coffee, even when rates are high. This leads to poverty and destitution in the countryside.
If you believe that it is wrong to support organizations that do not treat their workers fairly, it is time for you to start paying attention to Fair Trade Coffee labels. You can find very good quality coffee that is endorsed by this organization.
You can go to the Fair Trade Coffee website, and you will find a list of producers who are part of their agreement and have been certified to be fair to their workers. Dean's Bean brand is just one example of how you can enjoy your cup of morning mocha while you make sure that the people who worked so hard to bring it to you are not being treated unfairly.
Types of Italian Coffee
Types of coffee
There are two main types of Italian coffee: caffe and caffe hag. Caffe is a strong coffee, similar to espresso, and has caramel-colored foam on top. Caffe Hag is the decaf version; it may also be labeled as decafinato. You can order these types of coffee any time of day. Drinks like cappuccino are not drunk by Italians after 11 AM, so if you see people drinking them in the afternoon it is likely a tourist bar.
Alterations
You can change how your Italian coffee is made by ordering a caffe lungo or a caffe ristretto. A caffe lungo is a long coffee, where there is more water added to make the coffee weak and bitter. It is also known as caffe Americano. Caffe ristretto is restricted coffee, where less water is added. The drink should be more concentrated, but not bitter.
Additions
If you enjoy Italian coffee or espresso there are numerous additions that you can add to it to personalize it to your tastes. These include:
o Caffe con panna - espresso with whipped cream
o Caffe con zucchero - espresso with sugar. In most places you will add sugar yourself, but in southern Italy you may have to order it sense zucchero if you do not like sweet coffee.
o Caffe corretto - coffee with a drizzle of liquor, often cognac or grappa.
o Caffe latte - Espresso with hot milk. However, if you are not at a tourist bar this could be milk or steamed milk.
o Caffe macchiato - coffee with just a stain of milk added to it.
o Cappuccino - a shot of espresso with steamed milk and foam.
o Latte macchiato - steamed milk stained with espresso.
Specialty Coffees
If you are thinking of something different but still want to try an Italian coffee, here are a couple suggestions:
o Bicerin - this Italian coffee is traditional in the area near Torino, and cannot be found outside of the Piemonte region. It features dense hot chocolate, espresso, and cream layered together.
o Café della casa - this is "house coffee" and would be the specialty of that particular coffee bar.
o Caffe freddo - cold or iced coffee
o Caffe shakerato - this is a combination of espresso, sugar, and a lot of ice (and in some cases a bit of chocolate syrup) shaken until frothy
No matter what your coffee tastes include, there is sure to be an Italian coffee that will suit them and give you a unique coffee drinking experience.
Best Espresso and Espresso Machine Terms
Espresso or Caffè espresso is a concentrated traditional Italian coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee with an espresso machine. Espresso is the base for other drinks, such as lattes, cappuccino, macchiato, mochas, and americanos.
A latte or caffe latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk.
A cappuccino is an Italian coffee drink prepared with espresso, hot milk, and steamed-milk froth.
Macchiato or Caffe macchiato is a coffee drink, made out of espresso with a small amount of milk.
Americano or Caffe Americano is a style of coffee prepared by adding hot water to espresso, giving a similar strength but different flavor from regular drip coffee.
Mocha or caffe mocha is similar to a latte but with chocolate added.
Now here are some other terms you may need to know.
Barista is Italian for bartender. These are what the coffee house employees are called who prepare and serve the various espresso-based drinks.
The demitasse cup is where most of these drinks start. This is a preheated cup that the Barista uses for their espresso pull.
Pull this may also be called a shot, this is the amount "pulled" from the machine to form a shot of espresso.
Espresso machine is needed to create espresso from coffee beans. There are a wide variety of machines available that can make the process from manual, semi-automatic, automatic to super-automatic. The super automatic even has a coffee grinder.
Grinder is what you need to create fresh coffee and espresso grounds. Espresso needs finer (or longer) grinding than coffee.
Blade grinders produce heat from friction which for coffee aficionados would lessen or taint the natural flavor. Although many people own this affordable grinder.
Burr Coffee Grinders keep the flavor and aroma of the coffee beans intact. Even better is the conical burr grinders which create consistently sized grind for the coffee or espresso which makes it great for tamping.
Tamp is compression of the espresso grounds for use in the espresso machine.
Steam wand is used to steam or froth liquids. Steamed and frothed milk is used in several different espresso based drinks.
Latte art is a showcase at some coffee houses. By carefully pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso a trained barista can create a pattern or design. The art is further created by drawing a stir stick or similar through the foam to create designs. They may also sprinkle confectioners sugar or cinnamon or add syrups like chocolate syrup to help create a design.
The Secret To Finding The Ultimate Italian Espresso Coffee
Knowing if you've found the ultimate Italian espresso coffee begins with knowing about espresso. How can you tell if you've found something if you don't know what it should be like?
So, let's begin at the beginning.
What is an Italian espresso?
Italian espresso coffee is a beverage prepared with approximately one-and-a-half ounces of very finely ground coffee beans, which are dark roasted and oily in appearance. This coffee is produced with an espresso machine which ?forces? the brewing process using very hot water under high pressure.
The result is a bitter-sweet coffee with a topping of crema, or froth.
Main characteristics of espresso
Because espresso is forced, this process produces a specific feel, taste, aroma and density. Espresso coffee is ground to a very fine level and brewed very quickly, for only about 25 seconds.
The main difference between espresso and regular coffee is how the bean is roasted. While espresso beans comes from a variety of coffee plants, they are roasted to produce a very dark coffee. Also, the coffee beans have a rich, oily appearance.
Then, coffee beans geared for the Italian espresso are ground finely. The finer the grind, the slower the coffee is released when forced. Before this happens, the espresso grind is packed very tightly into a metallic filtered basket. All of this tight packing and forced brewing results in a coffee that is dark in color and very thick with a layer of crema or foam on the top.
Espresso is brewed quickly to avoid over-extraction of the coffee bean. The espresso machine is designed to produce a quick coffee and this results in a more intense flavor and aroma because it is never over-extracted or over-brewed.
Also, because espresso coffee beans are dark roasted they contain less caffeine than regular coffee beans.
A brief history of Italian espresso
It was an Italian businessman who, back in 1903, wanted to brew coffee faster and developed his fast coffee machine. He found that his coffee brewing process produced a much better tasting coffee, with a thick feel and a luscious crema topping. And so, the espresso coffee was born.
When it comes to finding the perfect Italian espresso coffee you need to delve into this world's fascinating secrets. You should come to learn everything from the Macinadosatore, which refers to the espresso dose, to the Macinazione, which refers to the correct method of grinding the coffee for the perfect espresso, and Latte art, the technique used to texture the milk into perfection and to create patterns on it.
Making the Perfect Latte
The Original and the Variation of Latte
In Italy café latte is a breakfast drink only. It is made using a stovetop pot called a Moka. The coffee is brewed very strong in the Moka and then poured into a serving cup which contains the warmed milk. The Italian version does not have a frothy top layer.
In other places, including America, the latte is made using espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk. A latte is usually smaller in size than a cappuccino and has a smaller froth layer than a cappuccino.
Making Latte
Making a latte doesn't require an espresso machine, although having one will make a better espresso to start the latte with; however, a French press or very strongly brewed coffee can be substituted. Regardless of whether an espresso is used or a strong coffee is used, the coffee beans should be high quality, otherwise the latte will be of poor quality.
First, prepare the coffee beans. Only grind enough to use for the task at hand, ground beans lose their freshness quickly. Keeping coffee beans in the freezer has been shown to help keep them at their peak as well, although there are opponents of this idea.
Using either an espresso machine, a French press or coffee maker, prepares the base for the latte. If using French press or coffee maker is sure to make the coffee extra strong to get a taste close to an espresso.
Skim milk is a great choice due to the lower calories and it will foam nicely. If using an espresso machine with a steaming wand, prepare the milk with a foamy top. Remember that the foam top is not as thick on a latte as it is on a cappuccino so don't over froth. If there isn't a steaming wand, warm the milk in a saucepan and use a whisk to make a delicate froth.
Once the milk is ready and the coffee or espresso is ready, assemble the latte. A proper latte is one third espresso, two-thirds steamed milk and a small layer of froth. If flavorings are desired these should be added before the froth layer to keep from being disturbed prior to drinking.
Lattes are often served in a glass on a saucer with a napkin for holding the hot cup or in a bowl-type mug. These resemble bowls but are large mugs with handles. This type mug is also used for serving cappuccino.
Lattes and cappuccino's are quite similar in their creation, the only difference being the amount of foam and milk. Lattes have approximately 1/3 more milk than cappuccinos and so the espresso is more diluted than in a cappuccino.A tall, piping hot latte and fresh biscotti are the perfect morning break and very simple to make.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Learn to Master Easy Latte Art
If you have a home espresso machine, or even if you are a semi professional barista, one of the most impressive things that you can do is learn the ins and outs of expert latte art! If you are interested in learning this process, then all you need is your own home espresso machine, a frothing pitcher, a frothing thermometer, whole milk, and a large mug. Latte art is a beautiful skill that is done by many espresso professionals worldwide, and you can even see this displayed in many expert competitions.
The key to a beautiful piece of latte art is in the wrist. You can create many different shapes and images, and they will become more detailed the more practice that you get. The latte art itself comes from a free pour, and you will be able to create a shape in your foam through the movement of your wrist in pouring your latte. This is something that many baristas specialize in, and it is something that you will be proud of when you learn how to master this technique within your own home.
It is always best to start with fresh and cold milk, and many professionals do recommend using whole milk because it creates a fuller and denser foam for the latte. It is important to start out with cold milk and a cold metal pitcher so that you can heat it for longer, which will create the perfect steaming process.
Start out by pouring cold milk into your metal steaming pitcher, and use an amount that will fill up the latte cup that you are pouring into. When you steam, it will reduce the volume of your milk by up to 20%, so you may need to compensate for that. Start out your steaming process by using your steam wand in the bottom of your pitcher. Steam your milk until it reaches 100°F, and then start to bring the wand to the surface of the milk as it is steaming. Continue to steam, and keep the wand tip submerged just below the surface of the milk itself. It is important for the wand not to break the surface once you begin steaming. Continue this process until your milk reaches 160°. Turn off the steam wand, and then remove it from the milk after the steam has stopped.
This process will allow you to create a very dense foam without any bubbles, and you can begin to pour this over your fresh espresso in your latte cup. Begin by pouring the steamed milk gently into this cup. To create the leaf pattern, tilt your cup at an angle, and pour the milk towards the bottom of the cup itself. Fill the cup up two thirds of the way, and began to pour by swaying your wrist back and forth. This will create a delicate leaf pattern in the top of your latte, and you can finish by pouring the rest of your milk directly through the pattern without disturbing it!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
All About Latte Art
If you are already a pro at brewing espresso, you may want to consider the options available to you in latte art. This is something that is done competitively by expert baristas, but the good news is that you can learn a few simple techniques to achieve the same results yourself at home!
First of all, it is important to start out by brewing an impressive shot of espresso as the base for your latte art. Brew this directly into a large mouth cappuccino cup, which can range from small to large in size. It is very important to have a wide mouth on the espresso cup, which will allow you to better develop the design with the space available. One helpful tip if you are just starting out is to practice your design using water, which will help you to get comfortable with pouring and the movements of the wrist involved. One of the greatest keys to perfect latte art is to pour at a gradual speed so that the design can be created with milk atop the espresso. However, this skill can also be achieved by using water to practice.
After you have steamed your milk and brewed your espresso, you can get ready to pour. It is very important to have the right position when pouring, and you can start out by holding the cup at an angle, where the back part of the cappuccino cup is slightly raised. From there, start to pour your steamed milk into the center of the espresso in a straight stream. For balance and accuracy, you can keep the edge of your metal pitcher resting on the edge of the cappuccino cup as you pour.
Once the cup is roughly halfway full, start to shake the pitcher side to side to create leaves in the milk pattern. This is the motion of your wrist used to throw the milk to create the latte art. Continue to shake your wrist gently back and forth, while still pouring the milk into the espresso. This should create a pattern of leaves on top of the espresso, and after you have shaken your wrist about four times, you can start to move the metal pitcher back toward you, while still shaking side to side.
The important thing to remember is that the pouring and shaking motion is somewhat slow, and it is not necessary to rush as you pour. Slow and steady will win the race, and it will help you to develop a gentle rhythm as you create your latte art. From there, you are almost finished with your latte creation, and you can complete the pattern by elevating your metal pitcher to pour through the milk to create the stem of the leaves.
Of course, practice makes perfect, and any professional barista has the opportunity to create hundreds of drinks on a daily basis. Continue to practice your latte art for your own personal drink creations, and it will give you the chance to develop a wonderful skill to impress your family members and friends!
First of all, it is important to start out by brewing an impressive shot of espresso as the base for your latte art. Brew this directly into a large mouth cappuccino cup, which can range from small to large in size. It is very important to have a wide mouth on the espresso cup, which will allow you to better develop the design with the space available. One helpful tip if you are just starting out is to practice your design using water, which will help you to get comfortable with pouring and the movements of the wrist involved. One of the greatest keys to perfect latte art is to pour at a gradual speed so that the design can be created with milk atop the espresso. However, this skill can also be achieved by using water to practice.
After you have steamed your milk and brewed your espresso, you can get ready to pour. It is very important to have the right position when pouring, and you can start out by holding the cup at an angle, where the back part of the cappuccino cup is slightly raised. From there, start to pour your steamed milk into the center of the espresso in a straight stream. For balance and accuracy, you can keep the edge of your metal pitcher resting on the edge of the cappuccino cup as you pour.
Once the cup is roughly halfway full, start to shake the pitcher side to side to create leaves in the milk pattern. This is the motion of your wrist used to throw the milk to create the latte art. Continue to shake your wrist gently back and forth, while still pouring the milk into the espresso. This should create a pattern of leaves on top of the espresso, and after you have shaken your wrist about four times, you can start to move the metal pitcher back toward you, while still shaking side to side.
The important thing to remember is that the pouring and shaking motion is somewhat slow, and it is not necessary to rush as you pour. Slow and steady will win the race, and it will help you to develop a gentle rhythm as you create your latte art. From there, you are almost finished with your latte creation, and you can complete the pattern by elevating your metal pitcher to pour through the milk to create the stem of the leaves.
Of course, practice makes perfect, and any professional barista has the opportunity to create hundreds of drinks on a daily basis. Continue to practice your latte art for your own personal drink creations, and it will give you the chance to develop a wonderful skill to impress your family members and friends!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Top Favorite Coffee Recipes Aimed to Please Everyone :)
If you would like to 'wow' your guests with a nice delicious serving of their favorite coffee drink, then you need to read this article. It's not about the fancy names or titles, but all about the flavor and refreshing taste of coffee based drinks that make them so appealing. In addition to the tastes, you can also count of the appearance of the froth and milk to give your drinks a finished look.
This article will cover the most popular coffee drinks that most people will agree are awesome. Remember that your coffee will vary based on the following ingredients; the coffee bean, the grind, water used and the temperature of the brew. There is a proper method to brewing that perfect cup for your recipes. We will cover them shortly. Here are the boil-down versions of the most popular recipes.
The Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are one of my favorites and you must have tried one yourself at one time or another. This coffee recipe is made up of half steamed and frothed milk with an espresso shot. After the milk is placed on top of the shot, you top it of with a dusting of either nutmeg or cocoa powder. The Cafe Mocha If you are a chocolate lover, then this is your drink. The simplest way to describe this recipe is a blend of coffee with hot chocolate. Again you will mix the hot chocolate with a shot of coffee. Then you top that with steamed and frothed milk. Finally, you will top off with cocoa powder.
The Latte
Lattes used foam and steam milk as half of the drink. The trick with Lattes is that you need to slowly add the milk down the side of the cup. This will enable to milk to mix properly with the shot of coffee. Remember, the ratio of coffee to milk is one to one. The real difference between a Latte and a Cappuccino is the way its presented. The Latte combines the milk and coffee together, while the Cappuccino keeps them separated.
The Espresso
Espresso is a rich and full bodied beverage. However, if you have even encountered a bad serving of espresso, it could be for the following reasons. If the wrong coffee is used to brew espresso, the taste will be awful.
The best type of coffee bean would be Kona Coffee. Try to use a Kona Blend when making espresso. It will be absolutely delightful. Espresso is served straight black. It's important to have the cup warm when its being served.
This article will cover the most popular coffee drinks that most people will agree are awesome. Remember that your coffee will vary based on the following ingredients; the coffee bean, the grind, water used and the temperature of the brew. There is a proper method to brewing that perfect cup for your recipes. We will cover them shortly. Here are the boil-down versions of the most popular recipes.
The Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are one of my favorites and you must have tried one yourself at one time or another. This coffee recipe is made up of half steamed and frothed milk with an espresso shot. After the milk is placed on top of the shot, you top it of with a dusting of either nutmeg or cocoa powder. The Cafe Mocha If you are a chocolate lover, then this is your drink. The simplest way to describe this recipe is a blend of coffee with hot chocolate. Again you will mix the hot chocolate with a shot of coffee. Then you top that with steamed and frothed milk. Finally, you will top off with cocoa powder.
The Latte
Lattes used foam and steam milk as half of the drink. The trick with Lattes is that you need to slowly add the milk down the side of the cup. This will enable to milk to mix properly with the shot of coffee. Remember, the ratio of coffee to milk is one to one. The real difference between a Latte and a Cappuccino is the way its presented. The Latte combines the milk and coffee together, while the Cappuccino keeps them separated.
The Espresso
Espresso is a rich and full bodied beverage. However, if you have even encountered a bad serving of espresso, it could be for the following reasons. If the wrong coffee is used to brew espresso, the taste will be awful.
The best type of coffee bean would be Kona Coffee. Try to use a Kona Blend when making espresso. It will be absolutely delightful. Espresso is served straight black. It's important to have the cup warm when its being served.
Iced Coffee Recipes for Enjoying!!
There are many refreshing iced coffee recipes available, and we have selected some of the most interesting for you. However, my favorite of all it the traditional Italian iced coffee recipe which uses freshly made espresso, a cocktail shaker and ice cubes. In fact, if you ask for an iced coffee in Italy this is the only recipe they will serve. Poured into a cocktail glass, the chilled Italian espresso is second to none.
When the heat is on try this traditional Italian iced coffee recipe ...
So, how is the Italian iced coffee recipe actually made? Simple, like all good things. Use your espresso machine, if you have one, to make a normal shot for one, two or more servings. Pour the freshly made espresso coffee into the cocktail shaker, add ice cubes (the ice doesn't get poured into the glasses with the coffee, so the flavor isn't diluted), close the shaker and shake like crazy! Pour into cocktail glasses and enjoy. Surprisingly, the iced coffee will not be a dark espresso brown color, but a creamy beige .
Here are a few more iced coffee recipes for you to try...
Bermuda Iced Coffee
For this recipe, you'll need coffee, cream, sugar and coffee flavor ice-cream. Pour the coffee, cream, sugar and 1 or 2 scoops of ice-cream into a blender. Blend, and serve cold in glasses or mugs. Tastes great, but if you're on a diet beware.
Fresh Lemon Cafe
Here you'll need 1/4 cup of coffee to which you add 2 oz of lemon sherbet, 1/2 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of grated lemon rind and 1 tsp of sugar. Place the contents to your blender and blend until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses.
Cinnamon Caramel
This recipe has an interesting taste. You'll need about 6 tsp of ground coffee, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup caramel syrup. Prepare a pot of coffee in the usual way, but add the cinnamon to the ground coffee. Add the syrup to the hot coffee and stir until dissolved. Chill the coffee and serve over ice with milk, cream or sugar. For an interesting variation, you could also use this coffee, but chill it in the way of the traditional Italian iced coffee recipe above.
Thai Iced Coffee
Here's another interesting variation. You'll need strong ground coffee for brewing 4 cups, 4 tsp sugar, 4 tsp heavy cream, 2 tsp ground cardamom, 1 tsp almond flavoring, crushed ice. Add the cardamom to the ground coffee and brew, when ready add the sugar and almond flavoring, mix well and leave to cool or chill in fridge. Fill four glasses half way with the crushed ice, then add the coffee leaving about an inch or a little more from the rim of the glass. Hold a spoon over the coffee and gently pour the cream over the spoon so that the cream floats on the top of your iced coffee.
Well, that's it. These are just a few of the many iced coffee recipes that are available today. Part of the fun is also experimenting. Enjoy.
When the heat is on try this traditional Italian iced coffee recipe ...
So, how is the Italian iced coffee recipe actually made? Simple, like all good things. Use your espresso machine, if you have one, to make a normal shot for one, two or more servings. Pour the freshly made espresso coffee into the cocktail shaker, add ice cubes (the ice doesn't get poured into the glasses with the coffee, so the flavor isn't diluted), close the shaker and shake like crazy! Pour into cocktail glasses and enjoy. Surprisingly, the iced coffee will not be a dark espresso brown color, but a creamy beige .
Here are a few more iced coffee recipes for you to try...
Bermuda Iced Coffee
For this recipe, you'll need coffee, cream, sugar and coffee flavor ice-cream. Pour the coffee, cream, sugar and 1 or 2 scoops of ice-cream into a blender. Blend, and serve cold in glasses or mugs. Tastes great, but if you're on a diet beware.
Fresh Lemon Cafe
Here you'll need 1/4 cup of coffee to which you add 2 oz of lemon sherbet, 1/2 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of grated lemon rind and 1 tsp of sugar. Place the contents to your blender and blend until smooth. Serve in chilled glasses.
Cinnamon Caramel
This recipe has an interesting taste. You'll need about 6 tsp of ground coffee, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup caramel syrup. Prepare a pot of coffee in the usual way, but add the cinnamon to the ground coffee. Add the syrup to the hot coffee and stir until dissolved. Chill the coffee and serve over ice with milk, cream or sugar. For an interesting variation, you could also use this coffee, but chill it in the way of the traditional Italian iced coffee recipe above.
Thai Iced Coffee
Here's another interesting variation. You'll need strong ground coffee for brewing 4 cups, 4 tsp sugar, 4 tsp heavy cream, 2 tsp ground cardamom, 1 tsp almond flavoring, crushed ice. Add the cardamom to the ground coffee and brew, when ready add the sugar and almond flavoring, mix well and leave to cool or chill in fridge. Fill four glasses half way with the crushed ice, then add the coffee leaving about an inch or a little more from the rim of the glass. Hold a spoon over the coffee and gently pour the cream over the spoon so that the cream floats on the top of your iced coffee.
Well, that's it. These are just a few of the many iced coffee recipes that are available today. Part of the fun is also experimenting. Enjoy.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Top Coffee Recipes To Impress The Loved Ones!
Have you ever tried preparing fancy coffee adding whiskey or other things? Yes! Coffee can be prepared adding various recipes to it for the taste you want. The tradition of serving coffee with a different relishing flavor has been there since ages. There are as many ways to prepare coffee as there are races in the world.
Discover here the art of preparing a variety of the most experimented beverage in the world. There is no longer any need to step in a restaurant for sipping your favorite cup. You can prepare it with a difference, every day to the wish of your gusto and enjoy a cupful of it being hypnotized in its flavor. The modus operandi is very simple and you simply need the ingredients of the recipe for the kind of the taste you want.
Let's reveal the secrets of some of the ecstatic flavors of coffee beans!
Cafe Borgia
This Italian serving needs hot chocolate, whipped cream and grated orange peels as its main ingredients. Take two cups of strong Italian coffee and mix it with another two cups of hot chocolate. You can make the proportion as per your need but the coffee and the chocolate ratio must be the same. Pour it in the mug and add the cream and the orange peels...And its ready for an amazing sip!
Irish Coffee
A cup of Irish Coffee lights up the mood and fascinates truly in Irish way. A cup of it requires Irish whiskey, cream, and sugar. Prepare a cup of strong coffee, then add one shot of Irish whiskey and the amount of sugar you need. Put the cream over the top. It's ready for the shot!
Caribbean Coffee
This is a sweet coffee for a sweet mood. Feel the taste of coco in a tart flavor. You need baked grated coconut, coconut water, milk, sugar and cream if you are willing for a little change. Make three cups of strong coffee. Mix the grated coco, milk and coco water in a pan and heat it till it is creamy. Put some extra grated coconut in the cup to be served, pour the coffee and the milk mixture prepared along with some sugar. The sip of it will take you to the beaches of Caribbean!
The Mexican Mocha
You require two cups of strong coffee, chocolate syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, whipping cream for the mocha to comfort you in the scorching sun. Mix the chocolate syrup, cream, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg in a cup. Pour strong coffee prepared into the mug and add little bit of cinnamon in it. Add some chocolate syrup and stir well. Pour the mixture of cream over it. Have it and feel it!
While trying these coffee recipes, you will be a coffee expert. Be innovative in your coffee preparations and give it name you want and surprise your friends and loved ones.
How to Make a Latte
The word 'latte' actually means 'milk' in Italian. An Italian cafe e latte ('coffee and milk') is coffee mixed with milk, much like the French cafe au lait ('coffee with milk'), but both are very different from the latte we know.
Nowadays outside of Italy, latte has come to mean a drink comprising one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk. Steamed milk is mainly hot milk with froth on top for effect.
Similar to cappuccino but with twice as much milk and hence a milkier taste, the latte is often flavored with sweet syrups.
With a bit of practice and the right tools you can make a great latte at home, saving money in the long run and impressing your friends.
This is what you need:
Start by steaming your milk:
Pour two thirds of a cup milk, or half a cup if using flavoring, into a cold pitcher.
Secure the thermometer inside the pitcher and steam the milk so it reaches a temperature of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are not using a thermometer, you know the milk is hot enough when you can no longer hold the container.
Begin with the steam wand at the top of the pitcher to create the foam. Keep the tip close to the surface; diagonally, not straight and when it is lukewarm or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, lower the wand into the milk until it heats up to 150 degrees. Turn off the steam wand, set the pitcher aside on the espresso machine warmer plate and brew your espresso.
Putting it together:
Usually a latte comes in a tall glass on a napkin and saucer; other times, a cappuccino cup large enough for the barista to show off his surface latte art.
If using flavored syrup, pour a shot or spoon a few teaspoons into your glass/mug with sugar to taste.
Layer the beverage so it looks good. You do this by first pouring two shots of freshly brewed espresso into your latte glass and within 10 seconds, the milk.
Roll the milk around in the steam pitcher until glossy on top. With a spoon push the foam aside to stop it from pouring out with the milk. Then pour milk from the bottom of the pitcher over the espresso until the cup is about two thirds full. Stir if using flavored syrup and sugar before filling the cup with the froth which was at the top of the pitcher. Use the spoon to direct the flow of foam, or spoon it over the beverage so it blends nicely with the espresso crema. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or dust with ground chocolate, cinnamon or nutmeg if you wish, and enjoy.
Nowadays outside of Italy, latte has come to mean a drink comprising one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk. Steamed milk is mainly hot milk with froth on top for effect.
Similar to cappuccino but with twice as much milk and hence a milkier taste, the latte is often flavored with sweet syrups.
With a bit of practice and the right tools you can make a great latte at home, saving money in the long run and impressing your friends.
This is what you need:
- An espresso machine
- A steam wand, which comes with most espresso machines, to heat the milk.
- A metal pitcher in which to heat the milk and make the foam.
- Shot glasses
- Thermometer
- Homogenized cold milk - try whole and skim to see which you prefer
- Good quality espresso beans ground medium to fine
- Tall glass or a coffee mug
- Flavored syrup (if you wish) available from speciality stores and some coffee bars.
Start by steaming your milk:
Pour two thirds of a cup milk, or half a cup if using flavoring, into a cold pitcher.
Secure the thermometer inside the pitcher and steam the milk so it reaches a temperature of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are not using a thermometer, you know the milk is hot enough when you can no longer hold the container.
Begin with the steam wand at the top of the pitcher to create the foam. Keep the tip close to the surface; diagonally, not straight and when it is lukewarm or 100 degrees Fahrenheit, lower the wand into the milk until it heats up to 150 degrees. Turn off the steam wand, set the pitcher aside on the espresso machine warmer plate and brew your espresso.
Putting it together:
Usually a latte comes in a tall glass on a napkin and saucer; other times, a cappuccino cup large enough for the barista to show off his surface latte art.
If using flavored syrup, pour a shot or spoon a few teaspoons into your glass/mug with sugar to taste.
Layer the beverage so it looks good. You do this by first pouring two shots of freshly brewed espresso into your latte glass and within 10 seconds, the milk.
Roll the milk around in the steam pitcher until glossy on top. With a spoon push the foam aside to stop it from pouring out with the milk. Then pour milk from the bottom of the pitcher over the espresso until the cup is about two thirds full. Stir if using flavored syrup and sugar before filling the cup with the froth which was at the top of the pitcher. Use the spoon to direct the flow of foam, or spoon it over the beverage so it blends nicely with the espresso crema. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or dust with ground chocolate, cinnamon or nutmeg if you wish, and enjoy.
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