KNOW OUR COFFEE LIKE A REAL CONNOISSEUR
Gourmet coffee has become part of the fibre and culture of today’s global community. As coffee drinkers, we are now more particular about what we drink than ever before. The origin of the beans, how they have been roasted and most importantly, how the coffee has been brewed are topics you’ll hear coffee enthusiasts unpack in great detail with much passion.
This love affair with coffee can be seen worldwide. Think busy take-away stands in the heart of New York, idyllic sidewalk cafés in Paris, trendy spots along the Copacabana in Brazil, and closer to home, Cape Town’s array of intimate artisan coffee shops. Luckily, drinking a delicious cuppa is no longer restricted to a restaurant, as the wide range of world-class appliances available allow you to make the perfect cup, brewed your way, at home. Ready to take on the adventure of becoming a real connoisseur? It’s easier than you might think. A good starting point is making sure you know what’s what and how to serve it – so here is a list of nine classic coffees to kick-start your journey:
Espresso
Made by forcing boiling water through coffee grounds under high pressure, an espresso is the perfect boost at the start of a busy day or between meetings. It’s also the ultimate end to an extravagant dinner party, to accompany a digestive such as cognac or port. Serve it in these stylish while marble espresso cups and saucers and you can’t go wrong.
Espresso Macchiato
If you want to take the edge off an espresso shot without losing the concentrated flavour, opt for this classic style of coffee served with a dollop of frothed milk on top. Add style to the moment by serving it in our new double wall macchiato espresso glasses.
Cappuccino
A popular choice in South Africa with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk. When you make cappuccinos at home, remember that the froth or foam should be wet and velvety, mixing naturally with the pour, and not simply sitting atop the drink like a bubbled meringue.
Flat white
A flat white is similar to a cappuccino, with ‘flat’ rather than frothy milk. To achieve this texture, pour the steamed milk from the bottom of the jug, holding back the lighter froth from the top in order to access milk with smaller bubbles, making the drink smooth in texture.
Caffé latte (Italian)
Most popular amongst ladies, a latte is a double shot of espresso and steamed milk, with very little or no foam added on top. For a perfect cup, use a spoon to hold back the foam when you pour the steamed milk, and then top it off with a little foam. Lattes are often flavoured with syrups such as vanilla, hazelnut or gingerbread. Serve in the traditional Village Latte mug, or go the café style route with the Baccarat double wall latte mug.
Caffé Americano
Typically an Americano is a single shot of espresso with hot water added until the strength is similar to drip or filter coffee. Pour it into one of these handy no-spill travel mugs for your drive to work, add hot milk and a sneaky spoon of sugar, and you’re all set for the day.
Iced coffee
Whether you opt to blend with ice, a glass of cold milk or even ice-cream, make sure you add enough espresso to give it a rich coffee flavour. If using ice, add a drizzle of condensed milk to give a creamier texture and hint of sweetness. Serve in café style tall high ball glasses and you’re ready to enjoy the ultimate summer caffeine hit.
Café mocha or mochaccino
Coffee and chocolate – a perfect match! Start with a single shot of espresso, add your favourite hot chocolate powder or syrup, and top with steamed milk. To balance the sweetness, pair with homemade shortbread or biscotti.
Irish Coffee
On a cold winter’s night there’s nothing quite like an Irish coffee to warm you up. All you have to do is pour espresso into a wine glass, add a shot of whisky and top with cream.
Tip: Whichever coffee type you prefer, make sure you use only the freshest coffee beans for every cup.
So, if you’re serious about becoming a real coffee connoisseur, the next step is to invest in a world class coffee machine that will make the perfect cup every time. Our team’s favourite is the Breville Barista Express – with a built-in grinder that allows you to grind only what you need, and 1700 Watts of power, this powerful machine will take your coffee-making skills from novice to professional in seconds. Equally impressive is the 1300 watt KitchenAid Artisan espresso machine, boasting a 15 bar pump, 2l water tank, and two independent boilers with auto shut-off function. This durable die-cast metal unit offers consistent and professional performance with no delay between brewing and frothing.
Whatever you choose – here’s to celebrating the vibrant and rich coffee culture that surrounds us!