Experimenting with Your Caffeine

This quarantine period has its pros and cons. Let’s take coffee for example: on the plus side you’ve probably been saving a ton on your beverage budget from drinking whatever you’ve got at home. However, we know the withdrawals are real since we’ve been the first to line up at our favourite coffee shops once they got back up and running. Unless you’re a coffee aficionado, it’s hard to re-create the perfect brew from your favourite spot, but there is a way to add a little variety to your day-to-day so you can get the most out of your at-home coffee. We’ve listed our 5 favourite coffee trends below so you can branch out and experiment with your palate.

1.The Italian Way

We should start by saying that there’s no need to feel guilty for using the Nespresso machine to make a quick short espresso that’s rich and delicious. However, if you’ve got time on your hands and want to make it the Italian way, follow these instructions:

• Get your hands on a moka pot – the size of the pot refers to the espresso cup size (1 cup moka pot = 2 ounces of espresso).
• Take out those little espresso cups that have been sitting in your cupboard and fill them with hot water while you prep your coffee.
• Add water into the bottom chamber of the boiler of the moka pot. Stop when you reach the level of the small valve of the boiler.
• Grind your coffee beans on a medium setting or buy suitable pre-ground coffee. Place a small spoonful of the coffee into the filter. Don’t press the coffee down!
• Make sure your pot is sealed and put it on a stovetop burner on low. Once the coffee hits the top chamber, you’ll hear a distinct gurgle. Turn off the heat and leave the pot so the coffee can continue to come through without being burnt.
• Stir the coffee in the pot before pouring. Pour out the water from your espresso cups and replace with coffee.

Bellissima! Your espresso is ready to be enjoyed. Sip slowly and pretend you’re in Positano, but be weary of how much you drink as this coffee is quite strong.

For more details about making the perfect Italian espresso, click here.

2. Dalgona Coffee

Yes we know everyone has hopped on the bandwagon with Dalgona coffee. However, it has taken the world by storm for a reason. Its sweetness combined with its foamy texture make it a dessert and caffeinated beverage all in one! Check out the easy instructions below:

• Add 2tbsp of instant coffee, 2 tbsp of hot water, and 2tbsp of sugar into a mixing bowl.
• Mix all the ingredients. You can do it manually but be prepared for a killer arm workout. We recommend using an electric mixer. The mixture should turn into a light brown fluffy texture.
• Use hot or cold milk and pour into a glass. Top off with dollops of the whipped coffee mixture and you are ready to serve.

For more recipe details, click the link here.

3. Milk Frother

Have you ever tried to achieve the perfect cappuccino but couldn’t get the foam just right? Adding a milk frother to your kitchen tools will allow you to elevate your average coffee to a a whole new level. Why stop at coffee? Amp up your tea game, change up your hot chocolate, or find a way to put a new spin on a favourite cocktail (your espresso martinis will never be the same). The Strategist did the work for us and listed the best milk frothers on the market that vary in price, purpose, and process. Check it out here.

4. Coffee Alternative

Maybe you’re tired of drinking coffee (or maybe you need to wean yourself off it) so it’s time to explore caffeinated alternatives. Chai tea has enough caffeine to start off your morning with just enough of an energy boost to get you going. Grab the frother you just placed an order for and get to work on perfecting your chai tea latte. Check out the ingredients below:

• 3 ounces of chai tea concentrate
• 3 ounces of milk
• Sweetener
• Ice (optional)

If you truly can’t give up your java, turn it into a dirty chai tea latte and add a shot of espresso to it!

5. Iced Coffee

Summer is so close you can almost taste it, and few things feel as good as the combination of warm weather and iced coffee. Grab a tall glass and fill it with ice. Pour in cold brewed coffee, your desired amount of milk, and add your sweetener of your choice. Our favourite ways to add a twist include some cinnamon, honey, or vanilla creamer.

For more details on how to make cold brew at home, check out the link by clicking here.