In the middle of the last century, passionate coffee lovers, the Italians, came up with a way to reduce the strength of the aromatic drink using milk foam. They solved the problem of consuming coffee in large quantities with the least harm to health. Thus began the triumphant march of a new way of making coffee - latte.
The name was easy to come up with: in Italian, the word “latte” is used to describe milk. We will tell you how to make a real latte coffee in a coffee machine.
Cooking process
Typically, a latte recipe basically contains espresso coffee, hot milk, and milk foam. To make a latte in a coffee machine, follow these steps:
- First you need to prepare espresso (classic coffee).
- In a coffee machine with a pitcher (cappuccino maker), froth milk heated to 60-70C (the foam should be thick and rich).
- Pour the milk into a container (Irish glass), put the foam on top.
- Gently pour the espresso into the milk in a thin stream. This is a version of the latte macchiato, in which all the layers stand out beautifully and clearly.
- In the case of preparing a regular latte, you need to do everything the other way around. Milk is poured into the espresso in a thin stream, and milk foam is placed on top.
Latte in a coffee machine
For decoration purposes, you can sprinkle the drink (or rather its foam) with grated chocolate, cocoa or cinnamon on top.
Latte coffee is usually served in an Irish glass and with a spoon to eat the delicious foam with.
Composition and calorie content
The traditional latte recipe is based on two ingredients.
Includes:
- 1 part espresso (usually 50 ml),
- 3 parts of hot frothed milk (150 ml is enough).
With all this, in Western Europe, a coffee drink cannot necessarily be made from espresso. The initial Italian recipe involved the introduction of only Arabica. At this point, you can already change the grains at your discretion. The top layer of a latte should definitely be foam. To make the coffee sweeter, sugar is added.
The calorie content of the drink is based on the amount of heated milk. Depending on the fat content of the milk, as well as the amount of sugar and cocoa, the nutritional value of coffee may vary. So, if you prepare a standard serving of latte based on milk, the fat content of which is only 2.5%, then the calorie content of the drink will be approximately 110 kcal. While milk with 3.2% fat content adds another 8 kcal to the nutritional value of a standard drink. Apart from this, you need to consider the amount of added sugar. It is recommended to keep in mind that just one spoon of sugar contains 20 kcal. To make the most nutritious and high-calorie coffee, you can add 10% fat cream to the drink. They immediately increase calorie content to 200 kcal.
Rules for caring for a coffee machine
Some machines have a self-cleaning function, but if not, you need to clean the device yourself. Before making coffee using milk, it is necessary to clean it very carefully, since milk has the ability to sour, and then the next time the cappuccino maker will prepare tasteless and unsightly foam. To remove the milky plaque that has appeared, you must:
- After making frothed milk, remove the milk container and attach the water container.
- Press the button to turn on the milk heating and frothing.
- You need to run the water until it becomes clean.
- The cappuccino maker should be cleaned as follows: lower its spout into a container of clean water and turn on the steam supply for 20 seconds. Repeat if necessary.
Whipping milk froth
To obtain high-quality foam, baristas recommend using milk with a fat content of 2.5 to 3.5%. The cooled base (60 ml) is poured into a glass container or metal pitcher. A cappuccino maker or steamer attachment is also immersed there.
The steamer is connected to the steam wand of the coffee machine. Through it, water vapor is supplied into the glass under high pressure. It is recommended to release the first 30 ml of air, because... they are oversaturated with moisture. Upon contact with milk, oxygen bubbles adhere to protein molecules and destroy lactose into saccharides. As a result of heat treatment, the base is structured into a dense foam and acquires a sweet taste. When foaming, the volume of the milk mixture should double.
The main advantages of steam nozzles over cappuccino makers are the quality and speed of emulsification of the mixture. With the help of steam, you can easily prepare specialty foam.
Which coffee machines can make lattes?
If you want to treat yourself to coffee drinks at home, you can buy a coffee machine, but which of these devices are best suited for these purposes? To make making latte coffee, for example, at home, quick and fairly simple, machines from manufacturers are perfect:
- Siemens
- Saeco
- Krups
- Melitta
- Bosch.
Although such cars cost on average from 4 to 30 thousand rubles, you can safely trust them. They have good power, are convenient and easy to use. Coffee prepared with their help will have a persistent aroma, beautiful milk foam, and rich taste. The devices contain special containers for grains (with a capacity of up to 300 g) and have regulators that determine the degree of grinding. Almost all of these coffee machines come with a cup warmer feature. There is a software control module. The foam is whipped separately - using a cappuccino machine.
TLDR - Procedure for brewing delicious coffee
- Turn on the coffee maker.
- Pour fresh water.
- Spill a little water: without inserting the portafilter, keep it under the stream.
- Drain the portafilter and wipe it dry with a napkin or dry cloth.
- Grind the coffee.
- Pour coffee into the portafilter.
- Perform grooming - evenly distribute the coffee.
- Tamp and remove any remaining coffee from the rim.
- Insert the portafilter into the coffee maker.
- Turn on pre-flow for a couple of seconds. Wait a few seconds.
- Turn on the water supply.
- Monitor the coffee being served. Turn off when the color changes to pale.
- Rate the drink and foam. Consider whether you need to change the grinding or grooming with a tamper.
Making lattes in capsule machines
Along with conventional coffee machines, capsule models have now gained popularity. The process of making coffee with these devices is fully automated. You just need to regularly replenish the supply of special coffee capsules, which come in different types for different types of coffee.
Advice. To make a latte in a capsule coffee machine, purchase capsules sold in pairs - milk and coffee.
How to make a latte using a capsule coffee machine?
- Pour milk inside a transparent container.
- First load the milk capsule into the special compartment, and then the coffee capsule.
- The coffee separates itself into layers, and a lush foam forms on top.
Modern devices for making coffee are becoming more sophisticated and affordable. The question of how to make coffee at home using a coffee machine is no longer so relevant. Nowadays people often ask where to get latte capsules and other ingredients for their coffee machine.
Customize your drink with unique options
The traditional version is an undeniable favorite in the coffee with milk sector. Its taste is rich and tender at once. But from time to time you really want contrast.
Many people understand the name “latte macchiato”. This is not a separate type, but another interpretation of a traditional recipe. The main difference is the method of connecting the components. Unlike the standard recipe, milk is first poured into a transparent glass, and then espresso is added to it in a thin stream. With all this, the proportions change to 1:3 with the dominance of the dairy product. All this is also complemented by fluffy milk foam.
There is also a fun option for coffee lovers on hot summer days. This is an iced latte, which is a cool type of drink. To make it, first pour several ice cubes into a glass, and then pour in cold milk. And the last step is to add a narrow stream of freshly brewed espresso. It is completely appropriate to swap the ice for scoops of ice cream.
The most pleasant fact is the possibility of implementing different versions of the recipe using syrups, caramel, honey and even halva. And if there is a party planned, then adding some good liquor is appropriate.
Traditional recipe
The peculiarity of this drink is not only its soft creamy taste, but also its unique presentation. After the latte ingredients have been prepared in the coffee machine, they are alternately placed in a tall, cone-shaped glass goblet.
You can brew this cocktail using an automatic device using several methods.
A regular latte is prepared in a coffee machine in 2 steps. First you need to make a strong espresso from ground Arabica coffee, water and sugar (optional). Then you need to start frothing the milk. It is necessary to complete the 2nd step after the product turns into fluffy foam.
If you are using a device that is not equipped with a panarella, you will have to whip the milk manually or using a blender.
Take the glass in which you will serve the drink. Place the milk mixture in it. Next, you need to introduce espresso in a narrow stream. This is required so that the levels do not mix.
This type of latte is more difficult to brew in a coffee machine. 3 preparations will come in handy - frothed milk, espresso and fluffy creamy foam. You should choose high-quality products, otherwise the cocktail will turn out tasteless and unhealthy. It is necessary to add sweet sand not to the finished drink, laid out in layers in a glass, but to the coffee preparation.
A good addition to the cocktail would be chocolate or citrus shavings.
Extraordinary manufacturing options
It is not necessary to brew a latte in a coffee machine following the traditional recipe. The development of its production may vary depending on the amount of ingredients.
Latte macchiatto
Italians call this drink “children's” because it is prepared from a double dose of cow's milk. To make latte macchiatto at home, you need to use a measuring cup. This will help maintain proportion. The recipe says 3 parts milk to 1 part espresso.
It is necessary to beat the main component of the cocktail for more than 3 minutes. During this period of time, it will transform into foam, which is recommended to be placed in a tall cone-shaped glass. The coffee pours in in a narrow stream.
You should use full-fat milk (more than 3%), otherwise you won’t be able to get a fluffy foam.
If desired, the macchiato can be decorated with coconut or chocolate chips, as well as nutmeg.
And this drink, unlike the previous one, is served cool, sometimes ice-cold. According to the recipe, ice is first placed in the container. Then you need to froth the milk and brew strong espresso.
After ice, the glass is filled 2/3 with milk preparation. The coffee is poured in slowly, in a narrow stream. This will avoid mixing levels.
The iced latte recipe does not include ice cream, but you can add it if you wish. This ingredient will improve the delicate creamy taste of the drink.
A few key aspects
Making such coffee must begin with the selection of high-quality ingredients. Preference should be given to the Arabica variety. If you do not use a ground product, you will have to prepare the fruits for frying on your own.
First you need to sort them out. Greenish grains should be colorful. If there are spoiled fruits among them, remove them. Then start washing. Manipulation will remove dirt and dust from the raw materials.
Dry the fruits. Now comes the frying process. The longer you keep them on the fire, the more intense the taste of coffee will be. At the final step, you need to use a mill to grind the roasted grains.
To properly brew a latte in a coffee machine, you need to thoroughly froth the milk. If it doesn’t transform into a creamy, fluffy foam, it will simply mix with the espresso.
Tricks for serving a drink:
- This cocktail is best drunk from a tall, transparent glass. This will allow you to get not only taste, but also aesthetic pleasure, because you can see how one light layer is superimposed on the second, black one.
- It is better to drink it through a straw.
- To be able to enjoy the milk foam, you should serve a dessert spoon with your latte.
- Chocolate cake goes perfectly with this drink.
You can improve the taste of milk espresso by adding the following components:
- chocolate or vanilla syrup,
- ice cream,
- ground cinnamon,
- halva,
- honey,
- caramel,
- alcohol.
