Espresso
Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee that tastes really good to those who love their coffee dark and strong. It is also the very basic ingredient to every espresso beverages.
Coffee beans that are freshly ground at home is the best choice to make an Espresso. Now if you don't have a grinder in your kitchen, you will find it easy to look for ground coffee in cafe outlets and supermarkets.
Espresso is best brewed with an espresso machine. So if you really yearn to try out your barista skill at home, get one for yourself. Now if you do have an espresso machine, this is the way to make an espresso.
Make sure the coffee ground is not too coarse or too fine. The former makes a weak espresso whereas the latter makes a bitter espresso.
Place the ground coffee inside the machine�s portafilter. The amount of ground coffee depends on the type of shot. The difference between a single shot and double shot is merely their quantity. - Single shot : 7 to 10 grams - Double shot : 12 to 18 grams
Tamp the ground coffee inside the portafilter firmly to assure a full extraction of the flavor. Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine�s head and set the amount of water for brewing: - Single shot : 1 ounce - Double shot : 2 ounces
Start the brewing process. The ideal time is 22 second. If you are using clear glasses, you will notice that the properly brewed espresso is comprised of 3 parts; the heart (dark at the bottom), the body (golden brown at the middle) and the crema (cream layer at the top).
Now that your espresso is ready, drink it like an Italian or use it to prepare an espresso beverage.
Frothed Milk
Frothed milk is another essential ingredient that is used to make coffee with milk. A well done frothed milk will make the taste of the milky beverage a more pleasant one.
To make a frothed milk, start by purging the water from the espresso machine's steam wand to make sure that you will not get all the water inside your milk later.
Pour very cold milk into a steel steaming pitcher until it is about 1/3 full. Place a thermometer inside the milk so you will know when it is ready.
Sink in the tip of the wand. The wand should be off center and slightly horizontal; about 45� of the milk�s surface.
Quickly bring it to the surface as soon as you sink in the wand. Surf the tip of the wand just below the milk�s surface. The milk should be flowing in a rapid, circular motion inside the pitcher and there should be a hissing sound. You will have to slowly lower the pitcher to maintain the hissing sound. Avoid letting the tip of the wand comes out from the milk�s surface as it will splatter and create big bubbles.
As soon as the temperature rise to 100�F, sink the wand deep into the milk. Maintain the position of the wand to make sure that the milk is rotating. It is ready when the temperature hits 145�F. Turn off the valve.
If you have a few large bubbles, tap the bottom of the pitcher lightly on the counter to release them. The perfect frothed milk should be velvety smooth in texture and not a collection of tasteless big bubbles.
Steamed Milk
Steamed milk = frothed milk without the froth.
Just hold the froth with a spoon as you pour the milk into the cup.
Americano
Americano is a light black coffee that is made of equal parts of espresso and hot water.
Simply pour in a double shot of espresso and 2 ounces of hot water in a cup.
Cafe Latte
A Latte is a coffee drink with milk and it has a thin layer of frothed milk on the top.
To make the perfect cup of Latte, place a single shot of espresso in a cup.
Pour in 2 ounces of steamed milk.
And place a thin layer of froth on top of the drink.
For a variation of taste, add in flavorings such as vanilla syrup or caramel.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is made of equal parts of espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk.
Begin with a single shot of espresso in a big cup.
Pour in 1 ounce of steamed milk.
Top the drink with the froth. Make sure that it is 1/3 of the drink.
Sprinkle some cinnamon powder or cocoa powder on top of the frothed milk.
Cafe Mocha
A Cafe Mocha has the mixture taste of coffee and chocolate.
Start with � ounce of chocolate syrup and a double shot of espresso.
Pour in 6 ounces of steamed milk and top it off with some whipped cream and cocoa powder.
Latte Macchiato
Macchiato means marked. A Latte Macchiato means milk that is marked with espresso. The ratio of frothed milk to espresso should be 4:1.
To make the drink, start with 4 ounces of frothed milk in a glass.
Add in a single shot of espresso to the milk.
For a variation of taste, add in flavorings such as vanilla syrup or caramel.
Espresso Macchiato
Espresso Macchiato is also known as Cafe Macchiato. Macchiato means marked. An Espresso Macchiato means an espresso that is marked with frothed milk.
Start with a double shot of espresso in a demitasse cup.
And add a dollop of frothed milk to the cup. The ratio of espresso to frothed milk should be 4:1.
Add sugar to suit your taste.
Espresso Con Panna
This is an espresso drinked with whipped cream.
Start with a double shot of espresso in a small cup and add a dollop of whipped cream to the cup. The ratio of espresso to whipped cream should be 4:1.
Affogato
Affogato is an espresso served with ice cream.
Start by placing a single scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass. Pour a single shot of espresso on the ice cream.
It should be served immediately.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
De Lazzer, A. (2003). The milk frothing guide. Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/frothingguide/
Dobbins, L. (2005). How to make great espresso and latte drinks. Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Make-Great-Espresso-and-Latte-Drinks&id=90705
Espresso. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso Jason. (2004). If you love coffee and espresso . Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://www.2basnob.com/coffee-home.html
Making great espresso: Step-by-step guide. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from https://www.essentialespresso.com/Steps-to-Espresso-WC11.aspx
Recipes: Traditional European style coffee drinks. (n.d.). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://www.saharacoffee.com/cofedrnks.htm
Siegelman, K. (n.d.). What kind of drinks can I make? Retrieved August 31, 2007, from http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles/espresso_drink_recipes.cfm