How to make barista style coffee at home, from the experts
As a nation that claims to be coffee lovers – it’s surprising to reveal that we can be clueless when it comes to making the perfect cup, with many of us favouring a simple spoonful of Gold Blend and boiling water in order to get a caffeine hit.
Around 8 in 10 people regularly drink coffee, according to a new survey of 2,000 UK adults. This is evenly split between men and women – with 78 per cent of women, and 80 per cent of men admitting that they can’t function without a cup. Although it appears to be far more popular with those over 55, rather than those under 24 – that’s 31 per cent more popular to be exact.
Nearly 70 million cups of coffee are drunk up and down the country every single day; yet the survey reveals we aren’t too fussy about what’s in our mug, with instant coffee dominating the coffee market accounting for 77 per cent of the coffee drank at home. Over a lifetime a daily trip to the coffee shop en route to the office can cost £15,000, which is enough to put a deposit down on a £300,000 house, so unsurprisingly only 16 per cent prefer coffee made by a barista.
Gloucester, Oxford and Worchester have been revealed as the UK’s coffee hotspots, whereas those from Bristol, Aberdeen and Liverpool are the least likely to enjoy a ‘cuppa joe’.
According to Coffee-Direct.co.uk, the nation’s favourite coffee is a latte, with 34 per cent of the votes, followed by Americanos and Macchiatos. So, if you gulp down a cup of instant every day, but are desperate to make your own barista-style coffee at home, here are some must have tips – all you need is a good quality coffee machine or cafetiere to get you started, perfect for those rainy Sunday mornings!
The Elegant - Latte:
What machine to use: Espresso Machine
The type of beans: Freshly roasted beans, particularly blended varieties
Average cost: 15p per cup
How difficult: 2/5
Total brew time: 23 seconds
The facts: Formally known as a ‘Caffé Latte’ in Italy, meaning ‘milk coffee’, the Latte is the nation’s favourite. You can have it iced and it is ordinarily served in a tall glass. There is even a World Latte Art Championship which takes place every year, pitting coffee artists from 36 nations against each other.
How to make it: Use one shot of espresso then add lots of hot milk and a little bit of foam. You start with the milk in the jug and tilt at 45 degrees, and keep the steam arm at the bottom of the milk jug till the last minute to avoid too much foam. Add your shot of espresso into a tall latte glass, add the hot milk, and then finish with a small layer of foam.
The Classic - Americano:
What machine to use: Espresso Machine
The type of beans: Freshly roasted beans, particularly blended varieties
Average cost: 12p per cup
How difficult: 1/5
Total brew time: 23 Seconds
The facts: The term "Caffè Americano" is Italian for "American coffee" - powering people through their working days, whether it’s one shot of espresso or two, the Americano is the strongest of them all.
How to make it: This is a black coffee usually made with a double shot of espresso and hot water. Always add the hot water to the cup first and then brew the espresso shots into the water, this way you will retain some of the cream from the espresso.
The Hipster - Macchiato:
What machine to use: Espresso Machine
The type of beans: Freshly roasted beans, particularly blended varieties
Average cost: 13p per cup
How difficult: 2/5
Total brew time: 23 seconds
The facts: The origin of the name 'macchiato' stems from baristas needing to show the serving waiters the difference between an espresso and an espresso with a tiny bit of milk in it.
How to make it: This is a shot of espresso "marked" with a small amount of foamed milk and served in an espresso cup.
The Newcomer – Flat White:
What machine to use: Espresso Machine
The type of beans: Freshly roasted beans, particularly blended varieties
Average cost: 14p per cup
How difficult: 5/5
Total brew time: 23 seconds
The facts: This drink originates from Australia, home to some of the most amazing coffee shops in the world. Typically served in a ceramic mug, it is defined by its velvety consistently from its thin layer of micro foam.
How to make it: The same amount of milk in the jug as for Latte but the frothing is different. To get the think cream consistency of a flat white, ensure you move the steam arm from top to bottom whilst you’re heating the milk to avoid separation between hot milk and foam. This milk can then be added to the espresso shot(s). Getting the exact consistency required for a flat white is something that requires a lot of practice to perfect.
Making coffee is a straightforward operation that results in a smooth, low-acid, and pleasant beverage. To begin, a coarse grind of coffee beans and a big container filled with cold water are required. The coffee-to-water ratio is normally one part coffee to four parts water, however, this can be adjusted to suit your tastes. Stir the mixture thoroughly, then steep it for at least 12 hours in a cold, dark area. Simply Good Coffee is a low-cost machine that allows millions of Americans to drink great coffee in the comfort of their own homes.
And finally:
If you are adding sugar – make it white as brown sugar has too much "flavour" of its own.
Make sure your milk is as cold as possible prior to frothing for the best result.
Hundreds of varieties of coffee are available to make from home to high standards, Coffee-Direct.co.uk even deliver direct to your door.
