Cappuccino Secrets: Creating the Perfect Foam

Here is an article that tells the secret of creating the perfect foam with steamed milk for making a wonderful cappuccino. As you'll see creating the perfect foam isn't as easy as it may seem ...

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.

Coffee Roasting: Learning the Fundamental Art of Making Coffee Can be Fun

Coffee roasting from light to very dark, is an art form in itself. Green beans have none of the flavor we are all accustomed to. Coffee roasting brings out the vibrant flavor from the coffee bean. It is true that before roasting, the 'green' bean contains all the complex acids, protein and caffeine, but just a yukky green-like taste that doesn't resemble coffee.

It is the heat from the roasting process that cause the coffee bean's carbohydrates and fats to turn into aromatic oils. During coffee roasting moisture and carbon dioxide are burnt away, thus breaking down and enhancing the acids and providing the wonderful coffee flavor.

Coffee roasting provides the flavor, but understanding your roast is important too

Coffee roasting is only part of the equation of a true connoisseur, we also have to consider the blend to really reach perfection. It is difficult, if not impossible to describe the taste of a particular roast, as there are so many variants, coffee bean types and roasting times. However as an approximate guide, the following will certainly help you get a better understanding of the coffee roasting basics:

Light Coffee Roasting

Also known as Cinnamon roast, or New England. Set your roaster to about seven minutes. The coffee beans will grow to almost double their size and your light roast is ready. This kind of coffee is very easy to find from mass market coffee roasters. The bean is dry to touch and offers a light bodied flavor that is rather sour to taste.

Medium Coffee Roasting

Your medium roast coffee is also known as Breakfast, American, full City and Regular. To obtain this level of roasting you'll need to set your roaster anywhere from nine to eleven minutes. Perhaps not quite as abundant as light roast in the stores, however it is not so difficult to find. The flavor is sweeter than light roast, and offers a more full bodied cup with a deeper more satisfying aroma.

Dark Coffee Roasting

Also known as French or Continental roast. In order to obtain a nice dark roast around thirteen minutes are necessary. the beans will start to hiss as the oils reach the hot surface of the beans. Dark roast coffee provides a nice deep taste, somewhat spicy and rather sweet.

Really Dark Coffee Roasting

This is about as dark as it gets before the quality of the beans start to deteriorate. Also known as espresso, or Italian roast. Depending on the coffee roaster fourteen to fifteen minutes will be enough to provide a nice Italian style roast. As with dark roasting, the beans will hiss (remember the oils?) and then start to smoke. The natural sugar content of the beans will start to carbonize and caramelize. The results will be a smokey, full flavor.

Remember, coffee is more than just a passion. For a wide range or articles, tips and tricks ranging from coffee beans to coffee making machines, click over to http://www.AllAbout-Coffee-Beans.com

Creating A Coffee Gift Basket

If you're shopping for a unique gift for that special coffee connoisseur on your shopping list, then a customized coffee gift basket may be just the ticket. You can purchase a coffee gift basket from a business that specializes in gift baskets, or you can create one yourself. Creating one yourself is quite easy. Simply put a number of coffee related gifts inside some type of decorative basket or container. The choice is up to you, and will depend on both your level of creativity and your budget constraints. Pre-made coffee gift baskets can be found at many department stores, gourmet food shops, or at your favorite café.

Coffee Gift Basket Ideas

If you are the creative type and prefer to arrange your own coffee gift basket for that special someone on your gift list, you can begin your ensemble with a unique coffee mug or travel mug that suits the taste and style of your intended recipient. Coffee mugs can be found in all shapes, colors and sizes, so you are sure to find the perfect one for your gift basket. Keep in mind that most coffee lovers prefer coffee mugs that are large enough to hold an ample amount of their favorite brew, but if you are buying specifically for an expresso lover, a demitasse cup may be a better choice. If the coffee lover drinks their favorite brew while commuting to work in the morning, be sure to include a travel mug in the basket as well.

Once you have selected the coffee mug to include in your coffee gift basket, it is time to move on to the type of brews that you will put in it. The art of selecting the perfect coffee beans can be a science in itself, so be prepared for some tough decision making at the coffee shop. When in doubt, a blend that is categorized as "mild" to "medium" is usually a safe choice for almost any coffee drinker. If your gift recipient likes grinding his own beans, then bags filled with whole beans will keep better until used. You can also have your local coffee shop grind the beans you choose for you, but you will need to let them know what type of filter and coffee maker they are grinding them for.

Some Simple Additions

Once you have added the basics to your coffee gift basket, it is time to add a few special "extras", such as flavored syrup for making luscious lattes or a bag of chocolate coffee beans for crunching with a steaming cup. Other great choices are a flavored cream, a package of biscotti, or a set of chocolate covered spoons. Put all of your selections together in a decorative basket lined with a colorful tissue or cellophane, and add a big bow and gift tag as the finishing touch. The coffee lover in your social circle is sure to be delighted with such a delicious and customized treat!

Buying Coffee For Your One Cup Coffee Maker

When brewing your own coffee from how, you don't have the benefit of a corporate hand stepping in with all the information and pre-taste tested knowledge that you don't have. Not to say that Starbucks has the greatest coffee in the world, but they've tested it and it sells in thousands of locations all over the globe. You just ask for a cup of coffee and they know what they're doing, for the most part.

When you get your new single cup coffee maker home or fire up your old espresso machine, you'll be wondering what exactly you should go and buy to get the most out of it. You could always go the cheap route and stop at your local Starbucks and grab their brew of the season, but how often is blindly trusting Starbucks a good idea? No, you'll want a basic idea of where to start; what you're getting, where to get it, and how much to get.

First off, don't buy too much coffee. Try buying in bulk first and going for as small an amount as you can. If you have a grinder, all the better; just buy enough to brew a cup or two and give it a shot. If you do this with a few different varieties, you'll have a general idea in no time.

Know where you're going. If you stop at the local grocery store, you may or may not get the kind of options you're looking for. It depends on the size of the store honestly, but if you go to a specialty grocery store, a Whole Foods or Fred Meyer, where options are what make their brand name so important, you'll find a huge array of different coffees.

Don't be afraid to try the canned stuff. Folgers and friends don't have to be all bad for everyone. There are some people out there who are perfectly happy with their standard coffee bought in a four month tin can. But, don't buy a tin and stick with it. Give yourself some options by trying the better stuff too. You might find that you like the price of one but the taste of the other. Now, alternate a bit and give yourself a treat every now and then.

Try those Starbucks and Tully's brand coffees. They're not all gems, but occasionally a special blend (I personally enjoy the Starbucks Christmas blend) arrives that will sit well. If you fall for something seasonal, you may want to back up your supply by picking a few extra up before it's out of stock. The act of brewing coffee at home is a liberating one for the avid coffee drinker. You're left with the options to try what you want, when you want, without a corporation telling you what is "in" this season. Take advantage of it and you just might find that perfect blend of at home coffee.