Author: Brian

What is Cafe au Lait?

Cafe au lait, a French term that means “coffee with milk,” is a drink made with hot, fresh coffee and milk. This drink is a popular accompaniment to breakfast in many former French colonies. This beverage should not be confused by a latte, which is a drink made with espresso. This can cause confusion in a cafe, so be precise about what you’re asking.

Cafe au lait is made by heating milk and pouring it into a cup with the coffee. The resulting drink is well mixed because the two ingredients are combined, not layered. You can either drink it plain or add sugar to suit your personal tastes. For a distinctive bitter taste, chicory can be mixed with coffee beans in certain regions. This is particularly common in Louisiana.

Cafe au lait is a variant of brewed black coffee that can be different in different countries. It’s a middle ground between blended coffee drinks and brewed black coffee. Each variation mixes hot coffee with milk. The name will usually indicate this. It is also known in Germany as Milchkaffee or “milk coffee”. Some coffee shops call it a misto or blend.

Cafe au lait’s characteristic brown color is used to describe complexion. People of mixed race often have creamy brown skin that hints at their diverse ancestry. The term refers to a specific type of birthmark in dermatology. These spots may be harmless but they could also be a sign that someone is at high risk for neurofibromatosis. This is a condition where small tumors form throughout the body and bone.

Make cafe au lait at your home by brewing a pot dark roast coffee. Cald the milk while the coffee is brewing. You can steam your milk at home if you have one. To bring the milk to a boil, heat a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the milk to a large saucepan and heat it on medium-high heat. Once the milk has frothed, add a cup of coffee. Before you start, you might want to add some sweetener. You can either drink the coffee plain or add mint or lemon to give it a unique flavor. It’s also great with croissants and other breakfast pastries.

 

What Is The Best Milk For Frothing?

Nothing beats a cup of coffee with perfectly frothed milk. However, not all types of milk froth the same, so learn which is the best milk for frothing.

For many coffee lovers, the best part of a cup of Joe isn’t the coffee itself but the delicate, sweet, and creamy frothed milk that sits on top. These days, frothed milk can easily be the star of the show, thanks to coffee and latte art photos on social media.

However, frothing milk is both an art and a science, and some types of milk work better than others for different situations. So, with that in mind, let’s take a deep dive to see what is the best milk for frothing.

The Best Milk For Frothing

Whole Milk

Best For: Flavor and foam thickness

Because whole milk has the most fat and proteins, you need to make sure that you use a fresh batch. Even if the milk is only a week or two old, it could have too much glycerol, making it harder to create stable foam.

Otherwise, fresh whole milk is ideal for a rich, smooth, creamy texture. You can also achieve better results without a milk frother or steamer wand. The presence of extra fats also yields a sweeter flavor. If whole milk is too calorie-heavy for you, you can switch to one or two percent milk.

A lower fat content means that the foam holds its shape better, but it isn’t as creamy.

 

Oat Milk

Best For: Flavor for lactose-free frothing

Oat milk is one of the more popular dairy alternatives, thanks to its superb flavor and creaminess. When it comes to frothing, oat milk has plenty of protein and fat (although less than whole milk), creating a similar texture and flavor to whole milk foam.

That said, because oat milk is mostly water (as are most nut milk varieties), it won’t hold the foam for as long as cow’s milk.

 

Skim Milk

Best For: Lighter foam and easier frothing

By removing the fat from the milk, you don’t have to worry as much about glycerol. If you’re new to the world of milk frothing and want to practice your skills, skim milk will create more stable foam.

The bubbles created from skim milk are much thinner (since there’s no fat) and more delicate, but they are easier to shape.

 

Almond Milk

Best For: Coffee art and low-calorie foam

Almond milk has much less protein, so it creates smaller and thinner foam bubbles. You also don’t have to heat almond milk as much since you can froth it at 130 degrees F instead of 150 degrees as with regular cow’s milk.

Almond milk does come flavored, which can add extra sweetness to the mix. Even though this milk doesn’t have much protein or fat, it creates long-lasting and stable bubbles, meaning that it works well for latte art.

 

Soy Milk

Best For: Latte art, flavor, and lactose-free frothing

Since this milk has a decent amount of proteins (seven grams compared to eight grams in cow’s milk), it works well for generating thick, creamy, and stable foam. You still have to worry about glycerol, but not as much as you would with whole milk.

Many coffee shops and baristas like using soy milk instead of cow’s milk because it holds its shape well and has fewer calories. Also, everyone can drink soy milk, including those with lactose intolerance.

 

Coconut Milk

Best For: Those who love coconut milk or want to save on calories

Depending on the specific brand, you can froth coconut milk much like regular cow’s milk. However, because this liquid has such a distinct flavor, it can offset the taste of the coffee, so it’s not for everyone.

Some coconut milk varieties are much thinner and have more water, meaning they’re almost impossible to froth well. Overall, unless you have a deep connection to coconut milk, we don’t recommend it for frothing.

 

The Final Word On What Is The Best Milk For Frothing

As you can see, some milk options are ideal for flavoring your coffee, while others hold their shape better for latte art. So, depending on your preference, you might want to use one milk over another.

However, as long as you keep the milk cold and fresh, it should work well for frothing, regardless of the type.

Relevant link: Bean Ground

A cup of coffee can improve sports performance

How much of an effect can a cup of coffee have for sports performance? Here’s an interesting study I’ve found from 2020.

Although the human study that sports scientists at University of Coventry in England published, focused on cyclists, it could also apply to other athletes. Neil Clarke, Darren Richardson and others have shown that even athletes who consume large amounts of caffeine do better after a strong coffee.

Two occasions were used to study this: 46 recreational cyclists were able to ride 5 km in the shortest time possible.

One time, the cyclists had a cup of coffee-flavored placebo before they started climbing on their bikes. They also drank instant coffee with caffeine the other time. Researchers determined that subjects consumed 3 mg of caffeine per kilogram of their body weight.

These are the results:

A cup of coffee made subjects work 8 seconds faster.

A cup of coffee can improve your sports performance, regardless of how much caffeine you consume.

Researchers divided the subjects into two groups: one that consumed very little caffeine per day (less than 3 mg per kilo daily) (low user); and one that consumed more caffeine per day (more than 6 mg per kilo daily) (high user).

Both low and high users performed equally well.

Conclusion

Researchers concluded that habitual caffeine intake did not impact the ergogenicity and coffee ingestion before a 5-km cycling trial, but improved 5-km cycling time-trial performance, and therefore, coffee is an effective source of caffeine.

Is capsule coffee even real coffee?

Capsule coffee is a easy and quick way to get your caffeine shot. Capsule coffee is’real’ in that it is made from real coffee beans. These coffee beans have been enclosed immediately after roasting and grinding to ensure that the coffee is freshest. This is a far better choice than the open and lost bag of oxidised and moist coffee beans you have in your kitchen. It is possible to make it fresher than a cup of coffee made by a barista right in front of your eyes. Consider this though: With capsule coffee growing in popularity, storage techniques, quality control and taste development are constantly evolving. Although it isn’t a traditional trend, capsule coffee is certainly more than a passing fad.

Coffee Capsule Brewing Method

The brewing process begins by turning on an espresso capsule machine. The button is pushed to add the coffee pod and turn on the capsule espresso machine. Each pod expands slightly due to the pressure and water that is injected into them. This is what makes each pod frothy.

The pod expands and then comes in contact with sharp spikes which puncture the capsule pod. The capsule is forced to release the espresso and any remaining pressurized water. This is where you get the full shot of espresso in a cup that’s waiting beneath the machine’s spout.

What is hidden in there and how does it work?

Although the exact colour and design of coffee capsules can vary from one coffee company to another, they generally contain a small aluminum or plastic capsule containing a pre-portioned, pretamped portion of ground coffee. The exact ingredients of a capsule of coffee will vary depending on the bean type, origin, roasting method and intensity of flavor. It is important to remember that capsules are different from regular coffee beans packets or instant powder. Capsules are made to work with the machine that they are being used.

These machines are also available from a variety of coffee makers. They have fascinating mechanics and look quite cool. After filling the tank with water, it heats the liquid and adds pressure before moving the coffee through the pod to release its flavour. The coffee is poured into the cup and the ground coffee is strained through a filter in the capsule. This is a mini-filter coffee machine that works in a similar way to an automatic mini-filter coffee maker, but without the mess and with a lot more cool tech features.

Here are some tips that will help you get the top results. Make sure to load your machine correctly (be firm), clean it regularly, use filtered water and heat your cup and machine before each use.

What are the advantages of capsule coffee?

Cappuccino is undoubtedly the most reliable way to make coffee. You can actually get a hot cup of coffee in just a few minutes by pressing a one button. And capsule coffee is easy to use on a busy Monday morning.

This new way of drinking hot beverages has many other benefits, aside from its ease-of-use. There are many capsule coffee companies that can be purchased, which offer a wide range of flavors and intensities. This allows for a lot of personalization. While Nespresso and Keurig are the most popular machine manufacturers, there are many compatible capsules available from other companies.

A small espresso machine cannot match the charm and quality of an Italian or Swiss coffee machine, but it is nice to know that we can make something similar at home. It’s wonderful to wake up to the rich aroma of coffee oozing from your kitchen counter. It’s a dream.

How to select the best capsule coffee for you

The best thing about capsule coffee is its wide variety. Coffee companies generally classify their capsules or pods according to the aroma, intensity, range, and variety – think espresso, lungo or cappuccino or decaf.

philips capsules coffee machineStarbucks capsule coffee can be distinguished by the origin of the coffee bean. If you are a devoted Starbucks fan, this is definitely worth a shot. Real Coffee has a greater assortment of flavoured coffees including caramel or vanilla, while Mugpods in the UK makes a fine range hot chocolate capsules such as a sugar-free option. Taylors of Harrogate has the most stunning packaging and most unique coffee flavours. Coffee Hat, however, is the best choice for the best capsule coffee adventure. These award-winning coffee farmers are committed to delivering high-quality coffee in capsules and they also make sure that you have a healthy coffee experience with add-ons like a foamy milk capsule. Keurig offers the best selection of coffee capsules, including a variety of exclusive collabs like Krispy Kreme or a Kahlua Light Roast capsule.

Nespresso is a great choice for those who are just starting out in the coffee industry. Their capsule coffee is available in a variety of flavors to suit every taste. A delicious tip? Their not long ago launched Italian Salentina capsules and Shakerato capsules are a great tip. They’re a refreshing and refreshing way to start the capsule coffee cult. We can’t forget to mention that George Clooney loves their capsule coffee.

So to answer the initial question you had – Is capsule coffee even real coffee? Definitely YES!

Why does my coffee taste bitter?

What could be worse than being so sure you’ve got the best coffee, then pouring a large cup, advancing it up to your lips, taking the first sweet sip, and then all of a sudden discovering it’s bitter.

Coffee should be full of flavor and not overpowered by bitterness. What makes coffee sometimes taste bitter?

Is Coffee Really Bitter?

It is quite interesting that coffee is often regarded as bitter. Coffee shouldn’t taste bitter. Coffee should be able to taste different flavors from floral to spicy, and even chocolate hints. There’s even a whole flavour wheel that describes great coffee. Let’s look at the reasons for bitterness and how we can avoid them.

Let’s take a look at the little details: What difference makes a brewing?

The science of coffee brewing is quite simple. Over extraction is one of the reasons coffee can taste bitter. Extraction is the process by which flavor is extracted from the coffee. This results in a deliciously darkened brew. The chemical reaction that occurs when water is mixed with coffee grounds causes the flavor compounds to be dissolved. It is important to get the flavor elements without allowing the bitter or acidic ones to dominate.

Keep this in mind. Here are some points that can cause bitter coffee.

You are letting the coffee to steep for too long

This is especially true when using a French press to brew coffee. Many people leave the coffee in the French press after they push the plunger down. The coffee will continue to extract the flavorful flavors if the grounds are not removed from the machine for too long. This is easily fixed. This is a good option if you prefer to brew your coffee slowly. Transfer it immediately to a thermal cup, which will keep it warm.

You are not using the correct size grind.

The way the compounds dissolve can be affected by how coffee beans are ground. If the coffee beans are not ground well enough, they can be under-extracted. This results in a bland tasting coffee. If the beans are not ground well enough, they can beco

me too dry and bitter. Different brewing methods require different sizes of grinds, so it is important to experiment to find the perfect sweetness. If you get a bitter cup, it is likely that your ground have been too finely ground.

The water has been boiled too hot

Coffee brewing is influenced by water temperature. Too hot water can cause bitter compounds to be extracted. For best extraction, the ideal boiling temperature should be between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not boil your water and let it cool down before adding your coffee grounds.

The equipment is unclean

Over extraction doesn’t cause bitterness. The flavor of future coffees can be affected by the residual coffee from the last batch you brewed. Keep your equipment clean.

Drink Better Coffee!

How can bitter coffee be eliminated? Do not settle for poor quality coffee. Shade-grown coffee has lower acidity, which results in a more smooth and less bitter cup of Joe. It is also beneficial to focus on the process of brewing. Our brew guide will show you how to make great coffee using the coffee brewer that suits your needs. For the best results, we recommend a Chemex brewer.

 

How to make proper milk froth with an espresso machine

espresso machine, frothing with a wandGiven the fact that many of us appreciate milky coffee such as lattes, the ultimate secret behind a fantastic cup of coffee lay in steaming the milk properly.

What you want to make is a thickened milk with foam all through, a liquid that will pour out like a sauce and has a sweet and rich flavor. This kind of froth is known as microfoam, and by micro I mean that the foam is really part of the milk, not just a coating of froth on top. With some practice and the proper equipment, you will soon be making the most of frothy delights in no time.

What kind of milk?
You can basically froth any type of milk, but each type reacts a little differently. And the fact, that milk with higher fat tastes sweeter than skim or low fat when steamed, and fresher milk is always first choice. We suggest that rookies begin with skimmed and in time evolve to whole milk, it’s much easier to start off with lighter milk.

The making of froth
Turn on your espresso machine and allow have it heating up to its usual brewing temperature. Then load your milk pitcher less than 50 percent with cold milk, and drown a thermometer (if you have one) into the milk. You can prepare your coffee drink before or after, at the moment, it’s not important. Next you want to make sure your machine will create the ideal froth. Do get that near-perfect froth, you need to have dry steam, meaning you need to bleed out the water from the pipe that runs from the boiler and the valve that manages the flow of steam. If your espresso machine has no always enabled steam system, turn it into steam mode, wait for about 10 seconds and next open the steam valve lightly into an empty container right until water turns to steam. Wait about half a minute, and do this procedure all over again. You should now have that proper dry steam. If your unit does not have always on steam, you need to start frothing the milk immediately.

So where to place the tip? Top, or bottom? It’s known that during the frothing procedure, you have to hold the tip at the upper end of the middle zone, so that you sometimes hear a sucking sound. While you do this, check out your milk to get to know the zones and how the froth will turn out. It’s also important to have the tip in the suitable horizontal location. This in general creates a circular current that is folding the milk with air that along with bubbles makes microfoam. You can move the tip around up and down very slowly and then witness the creation of perfect froth. Now you see the foam starting to rise, now it all makes sense why you need to fill the pitcher/cup only half way.
Also note on the milk temperature – it’s an equally important element is the temperature of the milk. At 95°F, the air in the milk is ideal to be effective to keep the bubbles. Too cold or too hot can ruin the making of forth, a pro tip – cup too hot to hold in hand means it’s over 100°F.

Ready to pour
Wait about 15 seconds after the frothing process and then pour it on top of your coffee drink. That’s it, enjoy your frothed coffee!

 

Secura Electric Milk Frother Review

The Secura MMF-015 electric milk warmer/frother model can froth 125ml (4 oz) and heat 250 ml (8 oz.) Milk. You can choose a larger unit (MMF-615) of this Secura as well, then it’s capacities are 250 ml (8.5 oz.) for frothing and 500 ml (17 oz) for heating. This milk frother is an elegant and attractive in silver with black accents and is also available as black model.

The outer stainless steel housing is covered with Teflon and the inner Teflon coat protects the frothers. The frothers have a cord-attached swivel base and a jug that can be detached with a convenient handle. The jug has indicators that show the milk levels. There are two maximum levels. The top line is for heating and the bottom line for cooling. The bottom line indicates that the milk is being frothened (125ml/4oz. milk). One mark is used to indicate the minimum liquid level (100ml/3.5oz.). The frother can only be operated safely if it has the appropriate minimum liquid level. The maximum indicators for the MMF-615 model are 250 ml (8.8 oz.). For frothing, 500 ml (17.8 oz.) for heating milk.

The Secura automatic electric milk frother’s transparent lid of the carafe is made from silicone and fits snugly. It is vacuum-insulated, which helps to maintain the temperature of your beverage. Two whisks are included with the device – one to heat and the other to froth beverages. One whisk can be used, while the other is kept inside the lid, another convenient feature.

You can attach the whisk to the carafe’s axle/side. Add milk to the jug and seal the lid. To heat or froth your milk, press the button on the container. Push the button and let go immediately. The carafe’s red and blue indicators will both light up. The blue light will go off when the milk has been frothed or heated. The beverage is ready when the red indicator flashes.

Press the “ON” button to make foam from cold milk. Hold it for 2-3 seconds. The blue light will turn on and the milk will be frothened about 1 minute. When the milk is ready, the blue indicator will turn off and the red one will flash. I would say it’s impossible to mess it up, the Secura frother is very simple and straightforward to use.

Although the frother cannot be washed in a dishwasher, it is easy to clean. Remove the container from its base and take out the whisk. To get rid of all milk, wash it under the tap. Use warm soapy water to clean the interior of the carafe. You may use a soft sponge, if necessary. The set includes a special brush for thorough cleaning. Rinse the carafe in fresh water and dry it. Do not submerge the appliance in water.

This automatic electric milk frother is strong and durable. This Secura unit has been with me for more than 2 years, although I don’t use it every day, it has never failed me, so I can only highly recommend this frother!

Check Price on Amazon !

Is filter coffee still a thing?

Coffee – It’s more than just coffee. The way we see and taste coffee has changed dramatically thanks to specialty shops. There are many ways to prepare it. People are now more aware of the subtleties that can affect the flavor. What is the real difference between espresso and filter coffee?

The filter coffee is finer than espresso, and their brewing time are the most noticeable differences. Filter coffee is ground coarser and brewed at a lower temperature for longer periods of time. Espresso is made from a finer ground coffee and is brewed with hotter water for a shorter time. Espresso coffees are often roasted darker than filter coffees. Although this is not always true, it is quite common.

Experience the difference
What do these differences mean for the taste of your espressos and filter coffees? Filter coffees are known to have a sweet and delicate flavor that brings out the coffee’s complexity. They tend to have a lower acidity. Espressos, on the other hand, tend to have a more acidic taste. You can see subtleties in body, sweetness, finish. Some people compare filter coffee to wine, and espresso to hard liquor to better illustrate the differences. Both are delicious, but they can be enjoyed in very different ways.

It’s the tehnique
It is important to compare espresso and filter when brewing coffee. You can brew any type of coffee manually or automatically . Manual brewing is preferred for coffee filter. This allows you to control the brewing process so that you get the best out of your beans. You can still enjoy great filter coffee with automatic brewing, but you have less control over the flavor and aromas. Manual brewing is preferred for espresso. The results can be amazing if done properly. Manual espresso takes a lot knowledge and skill. Automatic espresso can be tricky. It requires lots of trial and error to find the right settings.

Filter drip coffee simplicity
Drip coffee is a much simpler option than espresso. It relies on thermally inducing pressure to bring it up to the showerhead and gravity to pull it through the grounds. This brew method dissolves much less coffee’s soluble matter, and the paper filters that are common to drip coffee brewing will trap many oils that might otherwise be in French press, espresso, or percolator. This method is simple, inexpensive, and so, very common among Americans who consider “drip coffee” to be “coffee”.

Filter coffee comeback
Filtered coffee has been rediscovered after being dismissed as boring and uninteresting. This is partly because filter coffee gives you more control over the brewing process. It’s a skill, and it’s giving the art of espresso a challenge. We love filter coffee’s delicate and temperamental characteristics and we are thrilled to see it more often in coffee bars around the world.

In conclusion, the drip/filter coffee is still a thing!

Relevant links: Wiki

 

How to Make Latte Art (Simple guide!)

Do you dream of being a barista at home? Making your favorite coffee drink and then finishing it with an impressive piece of art?
You can make latte art! This skill isn’t just for professionals. With some patience and practice, you can make beautiful latte designs using steamed milk every day in your kitchen.
Here are step-by-step instructions for making latte art at your home.

1. To create a soft microfoam, steam or froth 6-8 oz milk
For tips on steaming milk, see our detailed guide. You may not be able to get the silky texture that you need for latte art if you don’t own a steaming brush. Once you have steamed your milk, place the steaming pitcher on top of the milk and stir the milk to break down any bubbles.

2. Start your pour.
Place your pitcher so that it pours towards the cup’s edge. Tilt the cup slightly toward the pitcher. It is important to control the pour speed and height. To ensure that the milk does not sink to the bottom of your espresso, start a few inches above the cup. Move the pitcher closer to your cup until it is about half full. Then raise the speed until you see white foam on top. Depending on the design you choose, your instructions may vary slightly. For beginners, we recommend starting with the heart or rosetta designs.

How to make a Latte Art Heart

To create a heart, pour more foam into the cup. Once the circle is about 60% of the drink’s size, raise the pitcher slightly and then draw a line around the circle to create a heart.

You’ll soon be able to gauge how quickly you can pour milk with regular practice. It is important to pour it slowly, ensuring that the coffee surfaces are uniform. You can begin drawing once the cup has reached 60-70%.

How to make a Latte Art Rosetta

You can create a rosetta by starting your pour at about 3/4 of the cup’s end. Once the foam has formed on top of espresso, you should gently wiggle the pitcher. Allow the movements to come from your wrist and not your hand. A little movement will produce the curves you want in your rosetta. Slowly, while still wiggling the pitcher, move it back until you reach the cup’s end. Next, lift the pitcher and draw a thin line across the middle of the design.

Latte Art without a Steaming Wand

We mentioned that it is difficult to achieve the perfect texture for latte art without a steaming wand. While other methods of frothing milk may produce nice-tasting foams, they are less likely to separate from the liquid milk. You may find that the foam appears as a large glob after you have poured the liquid milk. This can be avoided by using a few tricks.

First, don’t overfroth your milk. This can cause dry foam and a poor pouring experience.

To create a consistent texture, tap the steaming pitcher on the countertop and swirl the milk. To mix the milk further, some baristas suggest pouring it from one pitcher into another.

Do not pour too fast or you could leave thick foam behind in your pitcher

You can “Cheat” with a toothpick after pouring.

To preserve your handiwork, pour your latte art into your Ember Mug2. The milk foam will dissipate as it cools so temperature control can help preserve the milk’s texture. If you prefer plant-based milk for your latte art, check out our Best Non-Dairy Milk for Coffee.