There's nothing quite like starting your morning with a delicious cup of coffee, especially when that cup is a barista-style latte. While it may seem intimidating to make a latte at home, with the right tools and techniques, it's quite easy.
With some practice and proper instruction steps, we can make a baristastyle latte for two that will rival anything you can buy at a coffee shop.
Ingredients and Equipment:
2 shots of espresso
2 cups of whole milk
2 tablespoons of sugar
A milk frother or steam wand
A coffee grinder
A stainless steel pitcher
A spoon
Start by grinding your coffee beans. For a latte, you'll need two shots of espresso, which requires about 14 grams of coffee beans. Grind your coffee beans to a fine consistency and set them aside.
Using an espresso machine, prepare two shots of espresso. Place the ground coffee into the portafilter, tamp it down with the spoon, and insert it into the machine. Pull the shot for about 25 seconds until you have two ounces of espresso.
Pour the milk into a stainless steel pitcher and place it on your milk frother or steam wand. If you're using a milk frother, press the button to start the frothing process. If you're using a steam wand, submerge it into the milk and turn it on, positioning the tip just below the surface of the milk.
Froth the milk until it reaches a creamy, velvety texture. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature; the ideal temperature for steamed milk is around 150-160°F.
Add two tablespoons of sugar to the frothed milk and stir until it dissolves.
Once your espresso shots are ready, divide them evenly between two cups. Hold the pitcher of frothed milk at a slight angle and pour it into the cups, starting in the center of the espresso and moving in a circular motion toward the edges of the cup.
As you pour, lift the pitcher slightly to create a layer of foam on top of the latte. Use a spoon to create designs on the foam, such as hearts or swirls.
Your barista-style latte for two is now ready to enjoy! Serve it with a biscotti or a piece of chocolate for an extra special touch.
If you are passionate about a good cup of coffee, consider a pro espresso machine like the Breville BES920XLDual Boiler Espresso Machine. It offers commercial coffee features and performance in a domestic footprint. In addition, you can make 2 cuppas at the sa
