Boot Camp for Coffee Drinkers
Ok, so we go to a local coffee house and we order cappuccinos, café mochas, lattes and espressos. It isn’t the paper cups that make these drinks taste so good. It’s the recipe and of course the prettiness factor. Baristas all have a style of their own and every cup will taste different because of the roast, the grind, the amount used, the water, the temperature and many other things. We have all tried to make these coffee delights at home the way we think they are made, but do we really know the real way they are supposed to be made to extract the enchanting flavors correctly? Here is a quick list of how to make the basic drinks. This is boot camp for coffee drinkers.Cappuccino: Equal parts of steamed and frothed milk and espresso. The milk goes on top of the espresso. Dust with nutmeg, cinnamon or chocolate powder or shavings.Café Mochas: The easiest way is to use a good brand of hot chocolate, throw in a shot of espresso and top with whipping cream and chocolate powder or shavings. It looks the best if you put it in a tall glass and use a long handled spoon. For a finishing touch add a saucer and a napkin. Or make a latte and toss in a chocolate flavored shot.Lattes: Foam & steam milk to 140-degrees. The ratio is 50% espresso and 50% milk. Pour the milk down the side of the cup so it infuses with the espresso. The difference between this and a cappuccino is a latte blends the two things together, whereas the cappuccino keeps them separate.Espressos: We’ve all had bad espresso. There are many reasons why this is. The number one reason is an unfavorable bean. If you like espresso you are likely a connoisseur of coffee and know what constitutes a good bean. Anyway, to make a good espresso you must do the following:
- Use a fine grind
- You must tamp the espresso down firmly
- You must use a high pressure machine or stove top model
- You must not try to make too much at once
- You must see the creama on the top, which is a golden-brown foam
- You must use an appropriate espresso cup to keep the temperature from dissipating too quickly
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French Press - Making Great Coffee
If you want a good cup a coffee, you will need to add some oil. Coffee oil is very flavorful and improves the taste of coffee, but it is lost during the normal filtered brewing process. Coffee made with a French press doesn't pass through a filter so you dont lose those natural aromatic coffee oils. Most coffee lovers agree that a French press makes a superior cup of coffee.A French press (sometimes called a coffee press) is usually a glass cylinder with a plumber like device inside. You place your coffee grinds inside and pour hot water into it. The water should not be boiling or you will scald your grinds, which will affect the taste. 200 degree water is the optimum temperature for a fine cup of coffee. If youre using a kettle to heat your water, remove it from the heat before if starts whistling. Either that or you can let the water boil but let it sit for a few minutes before pouring it into your coffee press. Remember to leave at least an inch of space when filling up the French press.
Coffee beans that are ground too finely will clog the filter. You will probably be okay with automatic drip coffee grinds but the best way to enjoy French press coffee is to grind the beans yourself. Try to grind the beans to a size a little bigger than automatic drip coffee grinds. This may take some practice to get comfortable with your coffee grinder but its worth it. And remember that once you grind your coffee beans they should be used immediately or kept in an air tight container to keep them from getting stale.
Let the coffee steep in the water for about 4 minutes. Now its time for the press part of the French press. Place the French press on a no slip surface and slowly and smoothly press the plunger down. Press too hard or too quickly and in a worst case scenario, you could have boiling hot water shoot out all over you. This step is how the coffee grinds are forced to the bottom of the container and youre left with delicious fresh brewed coffee in the top chamber. You are now ready to pour and serve.
The French press has undergone a makeover in recent years. Manufacturers have added French presses to travel mugs and thermoses. As long as you have hot water you can make a fresh brewed cup of coffee anywhere. And most of these travel mugs and thermoses are insulated so that your coffee will stay warm longer.
With coffee becoming such an important part of most peoples days, isn't it time that we pampered ourselves with a better tasting brew. The French press is an easy and flavorful way to make a cup of coffee. So if youre tired of the brown water that comes out of coffee vending machines in your office, then the French press is perfect for you.
About the Author:
Anthony Tripodi is the webmaster of EndlessCoffeeBreak.com - The Guide To Coffee. For more information about French Press Coffee, visit http://www.endlesscoffeebreak.com
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Features and Pages
How to Make Your Own Cappuccino at Home
The taste of a good cappuccino is totally lip smacking and some times people just cannot start their day without a cup of cappuccino.
Cappuccino is a rich, dark coffee whose recipe originated in Italy. The name cappuccino actually comes from the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.
Cappuccino has a large volume of foam making it a light weight drink and less filling than other coffees. You need to take equal parts of frothed and steamed milk and espresso, the milk being on top of the espresso. You can then sprinkle any number of toppings on your cappuccino, such as nutmeg, cinnamon or chocolate powder.
Start With Good Espresso
The Difference between a Cappuccino and a Latte
Lattes are also half espresso and half milk. In case you are wondering what the diffence is between a cappuccino and a latte, to make a latte you take the espresso and the milk and pour the milk down the side of the cup, mixing it into the espresso.
Making the Froth
Where does the frothed milk come from for cappuccinos and for lattes? If using a French press for a foamer, heat a cup of non-fat milk in a microwave or on the stove to a temperature that is not too hot for you, pouring it into a plunger pot that has been rinsed. Pump the plunger in the pot for a few minutes and the milk will expand to three to four times its volume, creating the froth for your cappuccino (or latte).
Getting Your Own Cappuccino Maker
If you have a coffee addiction, you may want to shop for a cappuccino coffee maker so you can make your own at home. A nice characteristic about the counter top model is it can steam milk for cappuccino and latte's. When purchasing a cappuccino maker keep in mind that if you entertain frequently, you may want to shop for a cappuccino machine that makes several cups of cappuccino at one time.
Conclusion
Once classed as luxuries, many items of equipment such as grinders, cappuccino makers, espresso makers, and other drinks makers now adorn homes all over the world. By having your own equipment and making your cappuccino at home you save money.
Another great benefit is being able to make yourself some cappuccino whenever you want. Running out to purchase a cup of your favorite coffee will be a thing of the past. You simply walk to your kitchen and put together your favorite brew.
Crazy about coffee? Find out about your favorite beverage right here at http://www.coffeeloversportal.com/ where there is a pile of free information about how to make a great cup of coffee. Carol Stack and her sister Barbara are constantly adding to the site with new tips and recipes to satisfy your thirst for coffee.
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