Syrups and toppings: how to distinguish and use correctly

19.01.2022 12:00

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The barista's workplace is always filled with various cans and bottles. They contain spices and additives for drinks. Additives include both syrups and toppings for any color and taste. With their help, miracles are created: a drink familiar to everyone easily turns into a chic dessert that lovers of sweets are ready to enjoy. After taking at least one sip of mint, nut, chocolate or pistachio coffee, you will no longer crave regular bitter coffee.

Syrup or topping: what's the difference?

Syrup is a concentrated sweetened composition, including water, sugar and a flavoring agent (spices, berries, fruits). It is used to reduce the bitterness and sourness of espresso. Topping is an additive that differs from syrup in concentration and increased thickness. Both the first and second sauces do not dissolve in the coffee, but remain in the upper part, creating patterns. Toppings are often added as a design and in harmony with the whipped cream. Their use does not require skill or skill. Take glass mugs, rent coffee machines in Moscow, and experiment!

Cooking secrets

The thicker the milkshake, the better. To make the drink thicker, you can use one of the functions of the blender, which allows you to crush the ice (twice). Thanks to this function, the drink will acquire a thicker consistency. If you don't have a blender, you can use a mixer.

If you want a fluffier milkshake, increase the time for mixing the ingredients in the blender. This will allow the milk to become saturated with oxygen and foam will appear from the bubbles. The volume will also double.

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Review of coffee syrups and recipes with toppings

Of course, the taste of natural coffee is ideal without any additions. And true connoisseurs use it exactly in this form. But still, sometimes you want to move away from the usual taste and aroma. In this case, various syrups that are traditionally added to coffee “enter the arena.” As a rule, this is done in order to soften the natural bitterness of the finished drink. In addition to traditional ingredients such as milk and cream, lovers add various syrups. Their popularity came to us from America and European countries. Such syrups are indispensable when preparing various coffee cocktails.

In this article we will talk to you about syrups, the addition of which to the drink will allow you to “sparkle” your usual coffee with new flavor “colors”. We will also consider the proportions of adding various syrups to get a balanced taste and aroma in the end. Where to buy special syrups for coffee? Which syrups, in our opinion, best complement the taste of coffee and various cocktails based on it?

Difference between syrup and topping?

First of all, I would like to tell you about their similarities and differences. Traditionally, topping is an additive to various dishes (usually sweet), which at the same time acts as a decoration.

Options for coffee syrups

Coffee reveals a full range of taste and aroma qualities with the addition of syrups - from caramel-chocolate tones to herbs, spices, and rare fruits.

Additives are divided into categories:

• fruit and berry - mango, kiwi, pomegranate, pear, raspberry;
• based on spices - cloves, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla;
• dessert - donuts, imitation of the taste and aroma of cookies, caramel, chocolate;
• nuts - almond, macadamia, pistachio.

Important! Pay attention to the syrup label, as not all offerings on the counter are meant to be added to coffee. Some options are created only for cocktails and cool assortments. If the wrong concentrate is used for coffee, it will replace sugar and instantly lose the aroma.

Irish syrup

A thick and viscous syrup that perfectly softens the harshness of rich coffee, with a rich bouquet of flavors made up of dark chocolate, buttery creamy caramel and aromatic vanilla.
This topping is found under the names “Irish Cream” or “Irish Cream”. Its peculiarity is a combination of notes of cream, vanilla and a subtle bitterness inherent in natural chocolate without additives.

Irish syrup softens the harshness of freshly brewed, rich coffee. It will complement the taste of a drink made from both Arabica and Robusta.

Rating of the most popular coffee syrups

Amaretto. This syrup is deservedly located at the top of the coffee top. Light apricot flavor with notes of bitter almonds make this coffee drink unusual and truly generous.

Coconut. Coconut syrup makes even the most bitter coffee smoother and more pleasant. Coffee with coconut is very gentle and a little tropical.

Vanilla. Coffee with vanilla is actually a classic of modern coffee art. The sweetish taste of vanilla makes the drink light and leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

Caramel. This syrup has been added to coffee for a very long time. The syrup imparts a sweet, creamy flavor to the drink, neutralizing the acid and bitterness of the coffee beans.

Almond. Almond concentrate is very specific, with subtle bitter notes. This filler will make any coffee unique and aristocratic.

Nut. A candidate for those who don't like the taste of almonds. The deepest and richest nutty taste alternates with light fruity notes, so this syrup will “decorate” both an adult and a children's coffee drink.

Chocolate. Chocolate syrup is added not only to coffee, but also to tea, and also to alcoholic cocktails. The taste of chocolate envelops and warms, which is why the syrup is especially popular in the cold season. Irish. This filler is thick and viscous, softening the bitterness of natural coffee. The main notes of the syrup are vanilla and caramel, which is why it makes the drink more tender and pleasant.

Maple. Maple concentrate has a slightly sweet, light aftertaste. It organically complements espresso, cappuccino and latte. Mint. A rather extravagant combination of coffee and mint is preferred by those for whom drinking coffee is a typical ritual. Mint perfectly tones and relaxes.

Cherry. The sweetish fruity taste of cherries perfectly complements coffee, making it a real treat for those with a sweet tooth. This syrup slightly colors the coffee drink a pleasant, red color.

Ginger. Coffee with ginger syrup is the latest innovation in the art of coffee, which is why ginger is only gaining popularity among coffee lovers. The taste of ginger is slightly tart and uniformly sweet, so it appeals to those who like the “golden mean” in everything.

In addition to these syrups, you can add Grenadine, Strawberry, Cranberry, Chestnut, Cinnamon and others to coffee. Each person’s taste is individual, so you can easily choose your perfect addition to your favorite drink.

If you want to make coffee with syrup on your own, please note that to get a fragrant drink, it is enough to add less than 1 teaspoon of syrup for espresso, and less than 3-4 teaspoons for an Americano, cappuccino or latte.

Coffee syrups: where to buy, which is better - Monin or Barline, tastes and recipes.

Coffee is a divine drink with a billion-strong army of fans. Traditional recipes for its production have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. But among coffee drink lovers there are not only conservatives and adherents of ancient traditions, but also new generations who adore and strive to experiment, wanting to get something new. This is how special syrups for coffee appeared and became widespread. Sweet, giving the drink an unusual taste and smell, they originated in the USA, from where they spread to Europe and other parts of the world. Our homeland is currently experiencing a general acquaintance with such additives, and our compatriots definitely like them!

Now this drink is available in most coffee shops, cafes and even restaurants. People are increasingly receiving supplements home to enjoy the fruits of extraordinary tests whenever they please. But in order not to be disappointed, you need to choose and order the best syrups, which are guaranteed to give a more catchy, unforgettable taste.

Caramel syrup

Caramel syrup is suitable for coffee with a pronounced bitterness and strength.
This topping has a delicate taste and light creamy notes: if you add it to coffee, the strength of this drink will soften a little. This additive traditionally accompanies coffee drinks with the addition of milk or cream.

Caramel syrup is best suited for strong pure Arabica espresso, cappuccino, latte, and cold cocktails with a coffee component. It is recommended to add this topping to a cup of freshly brewed drink.

Caramel syrup contains a lot of glucose, so it is contraindicated for those who suffer from diabetes.

Glaze with caramel syrup

Coffee recipe with caramel syrup

To prepare the drink you need to prepare:

• 50 ml espresso or oriental coffee;
• 2 teaspoons of additive;
• juice squeezed from one orange.

Add syrup and juice to coffee brewed according to your favorite recipe and carefully mix the ingredients.

Syrups from Monin and other manufacturers

Most recently, the Monin company celebrated its centenary of existence. It is known all over the world for a huge number of products. In addition to traditional syrups with vanilla, chocolate and fruit flavors, its track record includes syrups with a distinctly tropical flavor. There are also more interesting options - with the taste of coconut milk. It is also impossible not to mention syrups with the taste of the most famous world-famous liqueurs.

Monin syrups are sold in 1 liter bottles. The price starts from 390 rubles. It is noteworthy that the cost of some exotic additives exceeds the threshold of 750 rubles.

The French company Teisseire began its work in the 18th century. Their assortment includes not only traditional berry flavors, but also quite unusual ones. For example, prominent representatives of this group of additives include vanilla chestnut and banana cupcake flavored syrup.

On sale you can find syrups in 250 ml bottles and 1 liter containers. The cost of syrup is 200 and 600 rubles, respectively.

The American company Delight produces syrups in original packaging, each volume is 470 ml. You can also find portioned toppings on sale, the volume of which is literally enough for one cup of coffee. All people who are on a diet can rest easy. The calorie content of the syrup is only 27 kcal per 100 ml.

French-made Giffard syrups have a high sugar concentration. Therefore, all of them, without exception, have a thick and viscous consistency. The taste “palette” is represented by more than sixty varieties. As a rule, most of them are fruity. But the range of syrups also includes additives with nut, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

Blackcurrant-flavored syrup gives the traditional drink a rather unusual taste. It is best to combine the additive with aged espresso. The approximate cost of a 1 liter bottle starts from 600 rubles.

Syrup addition proportions

Of course, each person has the right to independently determine how much syrup to add to their drink. But if you have never added such a specific ingredient to your morning coffee before, then we recommend trying these ratios first:

• per 50 ml – 1 teaspoon of thick syrup with a viscous texture. If you get liquid topping, then you can safely add a tablespoon to your coffee;
• if you have a sweet tooth, you can double the portion (this especially applies to vanilla and chocolate flavored syrups). But with additives that have liqueur notes, you should be careful.

Recommendation: if you are preparing a coffee cocktail with the addition of milk, ice and other ingredients, you should calculate the portion of syrup based on the total volume of the final product. For example, if you are preparing a coffee drink with 100 ml of coffee and 50 ml of dairy product, then you will need to put exactly 3 tsp in the cup. thick syrup.

Where can I buy syrup?

If you haven't used the additive in your morning coffee before, there's no need to worry. After all, a number of retail outlets have in their assortment various types of coffee toppings. These include:

1. Shops specializing in the sale of alcoholic beverages. As a rule, they have sections with syrups. After all, they are used not only for making coffee, but also alcoholic cocktails.
2. Large super- and hypermarkets. A large variety of syrups can be found in one of the following departments: prepared seasonings, confectionery and juices.
3. Many varieties of syrup can be found on various websites and grocery delivery stores.

How to make a latte with sweet syrup

For a hot drink with milk, it is better to use caramel coffee syrup or vanilla syrup. These two flavors will please all those with a sweet tooth. Because they have a delicate, sweet aroma, which harmonizes so well with the smell of bitter coffee and warm milk. It is these two toppings that can complement lattes and cappuccinos with delicate shades of aromas.

Ingredients for hot latte with syrup:

• espresso - 65 ml;
• milk - 195 ml;
• syrup - 24 ml

Preparation:

1. Prepare your espresso.
2. Whisk the milk.
3. Pour syrup into the bottom of a tall coffee glass.
4. Then pour in warm milk, spoonful at a time.
5. Add the next layer of whipped milk foam.
6. Pour espresso in a thin stream.
7. You can also put frothed milk on top.

Decorate the top of the latte with chocolate shavings or cinnamon. Drink the finished product of cooking with a straw.

The syrup can also be used as a topping to decorate the top surface of the coffee.

Confectionery fillings

Nowadays, confectionery fillings are very actively used in the confectionery industry https://agropererobka.com.ua/ru/produkchiya/plodovo_yagodnye_napolniteli/dlya_konditerskih_izdelij. They are used to make croissants, muffins, rolls, muffins, cakes, donuts and other delicacies. Manufacturers offer regular and heat-stable fillings. The peculiarity of thermostable fillings is that they tolerate high and low temperatures well, do not spread or separate, and retain their shape.

Among the most popular flavors:

• cherry;
• apricot;
• wild berry;
• lemon;
• strawberry;
• a pineapple;
• peach, etc.

When purchasing syrups, fillings, toppings in bulk , always choose products from trusted manufacturers. Ukrainian producers, even now, are ready to offer no less high-quality ingredients than foreign companies. Add new items to the menu of your establishment and delight your customers with quality desserts and drinks!

Composition and calorie content of chocolate topping

Topping in most cases is placed on top of the dish, which is why its name comes from the English noun “topping”, which translates as “top”.

The calorie content of chocolate topping is 374 kcal per 100 g, of which:

• Proteins - 3 g;
• Fats - 10 g;
• Carbohydrates - 70 g;
• Dietary fiber - 2.6 g;
• Water - 31 g;
• Ash - 0.67 g.

Ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates: 1:3.3:23.3.

The product contains cocoa, therefore it has a rich vitamin composition - A, B, D, PP, it also contains minerals - magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc.

Minerals per 100 g of product:

• Zinc (Zn) - 0.73 mg;
• Selenium (Se) - 1.4 μg;
• Copper (Cu) - 0.51 mg;
• Manganese (Mn) - 0.38 mg;
• Iron (Fe) - 2.11 mg;
• Calcium (K) - 224 mg.

Most often this topping is bought for children, so it is largely based on products of natural origin. According to the standard recipe, chocolate syrup purchased at any grocery store includes the following ingredients: water, granulated sugar, milk fat, glucose syrup, low-fat cocoa powder, carrageenan (one of the types of natural thickeners).

Interesting! Chocolate topping is commonly called confectionery sauce or syrup.

Caramel syrup for your favorite drink

This type of syrup has a delicate taste with a barely noticeable creamy note. It is not surprising that this is what coffee lovers use to “calm down” the strength of the traditional drink. Caramel syrup is also often used as a topping in the process of preparing cocktails based on the most popular drink in the world - coffee.

This is interesting: most often, caramel-flavored syrup is used as an additive for milk coffee, cappuccino, and even traditional espresso. Moreover, the pronounced caramel taste of the syrup goes perfectly with coffee with the addition of fruit juice.

How to make coffee with caramel syrup?

You will need:

• 50 ml espresso or coffee prepared according to one of the oriental recipes;
• 2-3 tsp. caramel flavored syrup;
• juice of one orange.

Prepare coffee according to your favorite recipe. Then pour it into a cup, add syrup and freshly squeezed orange juice. This drink with its intoxicating aroma goes best with muffins or freshly baked French croissants.

Spiced coffee with chocolate sweetener

There is nothing better than treating yourself to a delicious sweet drink when you are at home after a hard day at work.

It is recommended to use a cinnamon stick, cloves or star anise as a spice. Each of them goes well with coffee.

Before placing the Turk, at the bottom of which there are ground coffee beans filled with water, add spices to it. As the drink boils, they will share their aromatic and taste qualities with it. At the last stage, add chocolate syrup.

The perfect combination of syrup and coffee

When choosing an additive, you need to immediately consider their combination with the variety of Arabica that you drink. After all, varieties differ in taste and other parameters, and therefore require different additional ingredients.

• Caramel syrup perfectly complements cream or milk, and the drink becomes less bitter with a delicate creamy taste. Best suited for espresso, latte or cappuccino.
• Vanilla has the status of a universal solution. Removes excessive sourness of Arabica and smoothes out the bitterness of Robusta. In most cases, coffee is added to crepe, and also complements drinks such as cappuccino and macchiato well.
• Chocolate-flavored syrup, when added to Arabica, makes it richer. Without it, it is impossible to make a delicious mocha.

• oriental coffee and espresso - chocolate or almond;
• strong (double espresso, ristretto) – chocolate, caramel, Irish cream;
• bitter (robusta) – lime, cinnamon, Amaretto, almonds;
• light (latte, Americano, cappuccino) – vanilla, caramel and berry-fruit;
• pure Arabica - the choice of flavor depends on the desire to enhance or weaken the sourness.

Nut topping

This topping allows you to reduce the cloying and enhance the “sound” of the coffee note.
Syrup with a nutty flavor emphasizes the coffee notes, and in overly sweet coffee drinks it smoothes out excessive cloying.

Hazelnut syrup goes well with pure Arabica coffee: many of them have a nutty aftertaste, which can be enhanced by this additive. The additive is also good in strong espresso.

The drink will give you that same boost of vivacity and energy that many of us so lack in the early morning.

Add topping after coffee is brewed.

It is not recommended to indulge in nut syrup if you have diabetes, a tendency to allergic reactions, or certain skin diseases (neurodermatitis, eczema).

Recipe for coffee drink with nut topping

To enjoy this treat, you need to do:

• a serving (50 ml) of strong espresso;
• 3-5 ice cubes;
• tablespoon of nut topping.

A wonderful decoration for coffee will be a pattern on the foam.
It is best to mix the ingredients using a shaker. But, if you don’t have it, you can prepare a delicious drink by hand.

Crush the ice and add it to a cup of espresso with some nut syrup added to it.

This coffee drink is better suited for hot days. In the cold season, you can simply add a tablespoon of hazelnut or walnut flavored syrup to a cup of coffee (100 ml).

Is flavored coffee healthy?

If you're serious about your health or want to enjoy the sweet taste of coffee syrups without worrying about excess calories, you'll be glad to hear that coffee is healthy!

All your favorite coffee drinks can be created using sugar-free syrups. Most major manufacturers produce products that do not contain this component. Just look for the words “Sugar Free” on the label. These bottles often have a blue label or cap.

Such syrups are made using a non-nutritive sweetener. Each serving is equal to one packet of sweetener.

Syrups do not contain gluten, so they can be consumed by people with allergies to it. Just in case, check the product label: it should have a blue or green symbol (or the letters “GF” in a circle or cereal in a circle with a line through it).

What syrups are added to coffee?

The tradition of adding syrup to coffee and cocktails based on it appeared in the second half of the twentieth century, in American and European coffee shops. At first they decorated complex drinks - lattes, coffee with ice cream - and then they began to pour a sweet, viscous additive into espresso.

All syrups can be divided into several main flavor groups.

• With a taste of fruits and berries (banana, strawberry, raspberry, apple)
• With dessert flavors (ginger cake, tiramisu, chocolate)
• With nut flavor (almond, macadamia nut)
• With a hint of spices (vanilla, cinnamon)

Among the syrups there are leaders, which are certainly popular as toppings. Let's meet the champions of demand.

Walnut

A frequent guest in sweet cocktails, it reduces cloying and enhances the coffee note.

In natural espresso it is used to emphasize the nutty aftertaste.

The nutty aroma pairs well with South American blends and pure Arabica beans, accentuating the fruity acidity that characterizes these varieties.

Cooking steps

1. Ice
2. A shot of strong espresso or Turkish coffee (50 milligrams)
3. 1 tablespoon nut syrup

If you have a shaker on hand, put ice in it, pour in coffee, then syrup, shake the mixture. You can do without a shaker by mixing finely crushed ice and other ingredients.

This cold cocktail will perfectly invigorate you on a hot summer morning.

Caramel

It has a delicate taste with light creamy notes, so it is often taken to soften a strong drink, as well as as a topping for coffee cocktails.

The caramel flavor is a classic addition to coffee with milk, cappuccino and pure Arabica espresso, as well as coffee with fruit juice.

How to cook?

1. A serving of espresso or oriental coffee – 50 ml
2. Caramel syrup – 2 teaspoons
3. Freshly squeezed juice from one orange

Brew the drink according to your favorite recipe, add caramel syrup to a cup, stir and pour in orange juice. Serve with hot croissants or fresh muffins. A good option for a morning meal.

Vanilla

Sweet tooths really like it. It has a delicate, subtle bouquet and pronounced sweetness. It softens the strength and bitterness of coffee well, gently preserving the taste. Therefore, it is combined with strong and bitter varieties of grains. The aroma of vanilla masks the bright sourness, so it harmonizes perfectly with Arabica.

Thanks to its delicate flavor, the topping complements coffee with milk and ice cream well.

Cooking method

1. Turkish coffee – 80 ml
2. Cold milk – 4 tablespoons
3. Vanilla syrup – 4 tablespoons

Brew a portion of coffee and let it cool. Pour syrup, milk into a tall glass or cup, and then chilled coffee in a thin stream. You can drink through a straw.

Chocolate

Chocolate is coffee's best friend; they form a harmonious combination. Therefore, chocolate syrup is added to further reveal the bouquet of a natural drink or to give new expressiveness to coffee cocktails. Chocolate aroma often accompanies coffee recipes with cognac, liqueur or other strong alcohol.

How to cook?

1. Oriental coffee – 100 ml
2. Milk – 50 ml
3. Chocolate syrup – 4 tablespoons
4. Ice cream (seal) – 2 tablespoons

Brew coffee, heat milk. Pour them into a cup or glass along with the syrup. Place ice cream on top.

Famous brands and manufacturers

Most well-known brands are represented on Russian shelves, incl. such giants as the French Monin and Teisseire, as well as the Russian Barline and Spoom. The range of brands meets quality standards, and their syrups do not contain dangerous ingredients.

Monin

Monin is a French premium company with more than a century of history. It has been producing Arabica coffee blends since 1912 and has managed to test over 200 concentrates with various additives. The advantage of the brand is the use of only natural ingredients at a low price (650 rubles per 1 liter bottle).

The product is supplied to the market in glass containers with a volume of 50-1000 ml. The assortment is impressive with its variety of tastes and exotic composition.

If you are wondering which coffee syrup is best to use for your home bar, grab a bottle of Green Melon, Guava, Blue Curacao or Pina Colada for Arabica.

Syrup from the French company Monin for gourmets.

Teisseire

"Taseir" is a well-known company that produces an extraordinary assortment with fresh names: "Cactus", "Edelweiss", "Ginger Cake", "Tiramisu", etc. The brand's policy is unexpected taste solutions, for which the range is valued in aristocratic circles.

The brand belongs to a French company that was founded back in 1720. The produced blends are made only from natural ingredients - juices and sugars.

The liquid retains its consistency for quite a long time due to herbal preservatives. On the shelves you can find glass and plastic bottles of various sizes (250-1000 ml). The average price of a 1 liter bottle is 950 rubles.

Teisseire syrup will surprise you.

Giffard

Giffard is a well-known French company with high ratings. Known by professional baristas as a supplier of thick, gooey additives. The assortment is quite wide - several dozen concentrates for mono-arabica and robusta. The company has been producing since 1885 and has sufficient experience, which is why its products are in demand among mass buyers.

The product is prepared according to “peasant” recipes with pulp. Giffard remains a purely family business to this day. The quality of raw materials from natural products is beyond doubt among professionals.

The product range is represented by fruit, berry and nut mixtures, bottled in 1-2 liter glass bottles. The pride of the company is the creation of its own compositions “Bubble Gum”, “Cucumber”, “Creme Brulee”, “White Chocolate”, “Irish”, “Chestnut”. The average price of a 1 liter bottle of concentrate is 550 rubles.

Giffard syrups with original flavors.

Lavazza

Lavazza is a well-known Italian company, founded in 1985, producing herbal syrups from natural ingredients. The brand is better known on the European market, but Russian consumers can recognize it by its signature white plastic bottle with a wide cap.

The product range is not as wide as that of French competitors, but may be of interest to lovers of bitter coffee (Arabica). The average price of a 0.95 liter bottle of concentrate is 1000 rubles.

Pleasant aftertaste from coffee with Lavazza syrups.

Spoom

The Russian one has been known on the market since 2010. The range of concentrates is quite wide - it will please not only the mass buyer, but also the gourmet. The company offers most popular recipes.

The manufacturer uses natural ingredients. Branded bottles have a remarkable “feature” - a cap with a dispenser. To add solution, just turn the container down (without unscrewing the cap). Nominal volume - 250-1000 ml. The average price of a 1 liter bottle is 350 rubles.

Barline

“Barline” is another well-known Russian brand in the premium segment, which appeared on the market in 2000. It competes with global manufacturers due to natural ingredients, assortment, and a variety of unusual blends. The products are bottled in 1 liter bottles.

The quality of raw materials does not reach European standards, but the company captivates with unusual taste solutions at a relatively low price of 350 rubles. for 1 l. If you want to make a cocktail with strong Arabica, you can add exotic “Bubble Gum”, “Baileys”, “Popcorn” according to the recipe.

The Russian brand Barline creates syrups only from natural ingredients.

Delight

Delight is a well-known American brand of natural, sugar-free, low-calorie sweeteners. The company's assortment is rarely found on Russian shelves. A special feature of the concentrates is their completely natural composition, enriched with vitamins and minerals. The cost of a 1 liter bottle ranges from 1500-3500 rubles. depending on the intermediary.