Thursday, November 22, 2012

How To Get A Head Start Making Your Own Cappuccino

By Alysia Tabisola


There are numerous reasons why someone might want to learn the art of making a good cappuccino at home. This article maps out a brief summary of the kind of things you need to consider if you are thinking about learning this for yourself.

Cafe coffee is becoming an unnecessary luxury for many people these days due to it's elevated cost and it is pushing many towards wanting to make their own. It doesn't seem like you are spending much, just a few dollars per cup, but when you add the total up over time it can amount to a lot.

Another commonly stated reason for folks trending towards home coffee making is that they just can't get a good cup anywhere else. Depending on where you live this can be the biggest obstacle to finding a good coffee.

One more reason is that you just feel like learning the craft and becoming a great barista. Maybe you've thought about it for a while and decided that you 'd like to give it a go.

In order to make a proper authentic Italian cappuccino you are going to need some equipment. An espresso machine will clearly be top of the list. Next, there's the matter of a milk frothing wand and jug. Unless your espresso machine has a built in grinder, you'll also need one of these too.

You'll begin by making a good quality espresso shot. It is essential to start with freshly ground coffee beans that have been calibrated to your espresso machine. It's worth practicing and experimenting with different settings on your grinder until you hit the perfect grind. Once you've ground your beans, it's time to put them into your espresso machine and pull a shot.

The next ingredient for your cappuccino is a lovely jug of steamed milk. Steam wands are a common attachment on most espresso machines. Steam will then be applied to the milk via the steam wand. Continue steaming until the milk is warm and silky smooth.

With your milk and your espresso shot expertly prepared you're ready to combine them. With the espresso shot ready and waiting in a pre-warmed cappucino cup, pour in the milk. With some practice you may even be able to create artful patterns in your drink as you pour it.

If pattern making is not one of your best skills, then there is a sneaky cheat that you can use. Create, or purchase some creative stencils and use them as a template through which you will sprinkle cocoa powder on to your coffee to create an instant pattern. Once you remove the stencil you'll see a professional looking pattern sitting on the foam on top of your drink!

So, armed with these high-level steps of making a cafe quality cup of coffee why not give it a go at home.




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