What Makes a Good....Cappuccino?
"The thick, foaming milk isn't just poured into cups of waiting espresso, it's dolloped and swooshed and scooped with spoons and spatulas, as a painter uses different brushes." (Jan Angilella. 'The Art of Cappuccino in Bologna')
Possibly one of my earliest memories of drinking coffee actually doesn't involve coffee at all. I have several memories of being in various coffee-shops with my parents, who had both ordered cappuccinos. Once the frothy, cloud-like drinks had arrive, I would pick up my spoon and scoop out both helpings of chocolate dusted foam. My parents would essentially have espresso left over, while I undoubtedly got the better half of the deal.
Although a basic cappuccino is one of the most popular coffee drinks around, the ability to create weightless, snow-white foam is a skill which baffles baristas worldwide. It does not, however, have to be as difficult as you may think it is. So whether or not you take your cappuccino with a flavoured syrup, decaffeinated coffee or with chocolate or cinnamon powder on top, follow the step-by-step guide below and with a lot of patience and a huge amount of practise, you'll soon be making your very own cappuccinos at home.
Creating Cappuccinos with an Espresso Machine:
While the espresso is being brewed in the machine, fill a stainless steel jug half-full with milk (either whole, semi-skimmed or skimmed, it's your choice!) and position the tip of the steam-wand just beneath the surface of the milk. Open the steam-valve fully. Keep an eye out for small bubbles - if they get any bigger, move the wand deeper into the milk. The milk should be increasing in volume and and making a low rumbling noise. Keep heating the milk until it doubles in volume and the jug is hot to touch (the ideal temperature for the milk would be approximately sixty degrees. Close the steam-valve. Knock the jug against a surface to separate the steamed (heated) milk from the froth. Using a spoon to block the froth, pour the steamed milk from the side of the jug, then spoon the froth on-top of the steamed milk and espresso.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Aberdeen's Finest...
Aberdeen's Finest - A whistle-stop tour of the coffeehouse gems in the Granite City...
Today's Find: Espresso Bar on 2, John Lewis Department Store, Aberdeen.
It's Tuesday lunchtime. As I write this, I'm sitting in my favourite Starbucks, escaping from the undefeatable Aberdeen wind and rain, drinking a 'spicy tea' - a warm and comforting, less caffeinated, less calorific version of a Chai Tea Latte. Devoid of the latest edition of Tatler magazine, I turn to writing. As I glance around Starbucks, (my refuge in this kind of weather: warm drinks accompanied by leather armchairs in the window and Norah Jones playing in the background), I'm struck by the variety of people I'm surrounded by. In front of me sit two very yummy yummy-mummies, complete with immaculate hair, manicured nails and A/W 2010 Collection Hobbs' dresses. They're discussing their children's private schools, and I'm wondering where their 4x4s are parked. Behind me sits a father with his son, who "only eats chocolate." Four boys from the local academy school have just walked in and are in the noisy process of rearranging the furniture, allowing them to sit round the table and eat their Sainsbury's sandwiches. Behind the bar, the friendly baristas frantically make an extra-hot, skinny, sugar-free Caramel Machhiato or a triple-shot cappuccino. I can't help but smile at how, despite a difference in background, salary and coffee-taste, people are able to come together over a mug of warm-something.
But now to return to the Aberdeen's Finest series. I'd like to introduce you to the Espresso Bar on 2 in Aberdeen's John Lewis department store. I met a friend here for brunch this morning, and the chic espresso bar certainly deserves a write-up. Tucked away in the corner of the furniture floor of JL (the second floor, if the name of the espresso bar doesn't give it away), it is the perfect place to meet a friend or beloved-other before a meander through the store. As I looked round, I saw older couples sharing a scone and drinking tea, and people catching up with today's newspaper over a deliciously frothy cappuccino. The Espresso Bar is is a smaller, private, more modern version of the main coffeeshop upstairs. The one down-side to this is that the menu isn't as extensive, but if that really is a problem, a ride upstairs on an escalator wouldn't hurt much. The frosted glass tables and dark leather seats are a perfect accompaniment to John Lewis' freshly-made scones which my friend and I chose ("warmed, with butter and jam?" Yes please...). The menu? Pastries that look too good to eat, cakes, bakes and other slices and a selection of coffees, teas and cold drinks. As far as I'm aware, lunch food is served upstairs (I couldn't see any sandwich toasters or soup urns) - the Espresso Bar strikes me as a strictly morning coffee, brunch and afternoon tea type of place. Word of warning though, if you're craving a scone, (I'd recommend a cheese one), get there early or you'll be disappointed!
The Espresso Bar, although just a department store coffee stop, is spacious, well lit, quiet and certainly doesn't break the bank. If you're spending a morning or afternoon in John Lewis (which is easily done, I can tell you,) I'd definitely factor in some Espresso Bar on 2 time.
The lunch-rush is over but Starbucks has still maintained it's buzz. The yummy-mummies have been replaced by two business men closing a deal and the school-kids have returned to their classes. It's time to go back out into the rain and back to the big, bad world. Maybe one more coffee first though...
Today's Find: Espresso Bar on 2, John Lewis Department Store, Aberdeen.
It's Tuesday lunchtime. As I write this, I'm sitting in my favourite Starbucks, escaping from the undefeatable Aberdeen wind and rain, drinking a 'spicy tea' - a warm and comforting, less caffeinated, less calorific version of a Chai Tea Latte. Devoid of the latest edition of Tatler magazine, I turn to writing. As I glance around Starbucks, (my refuge in this kind of weather: warm drinks accompanied by leather armchairs in the window and Norah Jones playing in the background), I'm struck by the variety of people I'm surrounded by. In front of me sit two very yummy yummy-mummies, complete with immaculate hair, manicured nails and A/W 2010 Collection Hobbs' dresses. They're discussing their children's private schools, and I'm wondering where their 4x4s are parked. Behind me sits a father with his son, who "only eats chocolate." Four boys from the local academy school have just walked in and are in the noisy process of rearranging the furniture, allowing them to sit round the table and eat their Sainsbury's sandwiches. Behind the bar, the friendly baristas frantically make an extra-hot, skinny, sugar-free Caramel Machhiato or a triple-shot cappuccino. I can't help but smile at how, despite a difference in background, salary and coffee-taste, people are able to come together over a mug of warm-something.
But now to return to the Aberdeen's Finest series. I'd like to introduce you to the Espresso Bar on 2 in Aberdeen's John Lewis department store. I met a friend here for brunch this morning, and the chic espresso bar certainly deserves a write-up. Tucked away in the corner of the furniture floor of JL (the second floor, if the name of the espresso bar doesn't give it away), it is the perfect place to meet a friend or beloved-other before a meander through the store. As I looked round, I saw older couples sharing a scone and drinking tea, and people catching up with today's newspaper over a deliciously frothy cappuccino. The Espresso Bar is is a smaller, private, more modern version of the main coffeeshop upstairs. The one down-side to this is that the menu isn't as extensive, but if that really is a problem, a ride upstairs on an escalator wouldn't hurt much. The frosted glass tables and dark leather seats are a perfect accompaniment to John Lewis' freshly-made scones which my friend and I chose ("warmed, with butter and jam?" Yes please...). The menu? Pastries that look too good to eat, cakes, bakes and other slices and a selection of coffees, teas and cold drinks. As far as I'm aware, lunch food is served upstairs (I couldn't see any sandwich toasters or soup urns) - the Espresso Bar strikes me as a strictly morning coffee, brunch and afternoon tea type of place. Word of warning though, if you're craving a scone, (I'd recommend a cheese one), get there early or you'll be disappointed!
The Espresso Bar, although just a department store coffee stop, is spacious, well lit, quiet and certainly doesn't break the bank. If you're spending a morning or afternoon in John Lewis (which is easily done, I can tell you,) I'd definitely factor in some Espresso Bar on 2 time.
The lunch-rush is over but Starbucks has still maintained it's buzz. The yummy-mummies have been replaced by two business men closing a deal and the school-kids have returned to their classes. It's time to go back out into the rain and back to the big, bad world. Maybe one more coffee first though...
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Aberdeen's Finest...
Aberdeen's Finest - A whistle-stop tour of the coffeehouse gems in the Granite City...
Today's Find: Tinderbox, Union Square
I'll admit it, Tinderbox wasn't today's find as such, but I think it's a good place to start. When Aberdeen opened it's much-cherished, brand shiny new shopping centre in November 2009, one of the additions to it's 1st floor of food delights was Tinderbox: a Glasgow-based chain situated at the far end of Union Square, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping centre. Frequented by tired shoppers in need of a mid-afternoon pick-me-up and so-called 'nerds' working away on the internet or finishing that last chapter, Tinderbox is Aberdeen's own American diner-come-coffeehouse. Their long wooden tables and distressed leather sofas provide an area to eat, drink and chill out from dawn 'til dusk and their seating booths provide a more private space for those wanting to shut-off from the world. Being the only place where I've ever won a game of Scrabble, Tinderbox is the perfect place to hang out with friends, engage in one of the board games provided in the evenings or people-watch from the seats situated in the mall itself.
It's menu? Typical American diner food and drink. The giant Pretzels (warmed) are a must, as are it's Flat Whites: an 8oz double espresso topped with "velvety steamed milk and a little bit of densely packed foam." The highly trained and enthusiastic staff 'twist and grind' the coffee themselves as opposed to pushing a button on a machine, and proceed to finish off each coffee with decorative 'Latte Art'. Each meal of the day is catered for: start the days with a hearty bowl of porridge, choose from soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch, meat pies with salad and crisps for dinner, and their range of cakes definitely fills a hole for those with a sweet tooth. And to drink? Tinderbox not only boasts an extensive range of fruit and herbal teas, coffees and cold drinks, but a selection of popular wines, champagnes and ciders.
I would, if I were you.
Today's Find: Tinderbox, Union Square
I'll admit it, Tinderbox wasn't today's find as such, but I think it's a good place to start. When Aberdeen opened it's much-cherished, brand shiny new shopping centre in November 2009, one of the additions to it's 1st floor of food delights was Tinderbox: a Glasgow-based chain situated at the far end of Union Square, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping centre. Frequented by tired shoppers in need of a mid-afternoon pick-me-up and so-called 'nerds' working away on the internet or finishing that last chapter, Tinderbox is Aberdeen's own American diner-come-coffeehouse. Their long wooden tables and distressed leather sofas provide an area to eat, drink and chill out from dawn 'til dusk and their seating booths provide a more private space for those wanting to shut-off from the world. Being the only place where I've ever won a game of Scrabble, Tinderbox is the perfect place to hang out with friends, engage in one of the board games provided in the evenings or people-watch from the seats situated in the mall itself.
It's menu? Typical American diner food and drink. The giant Pretzels (warmed) are a must, as are it's Flat Whites: an 8oz double espresso topped with "velvety steamed milk and a little bit of densely packed foam." The highly trained and enthusiastic staff 'twist and grind' the coffee themselves as opposed to pushing a button on a machine, and proceed to finish off each coffee with decorative 'Latte Art'. Each meal of the day is catered for: start the days with a hearty bowl of porridge, choose from soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch, meat pies with salad and crisps for dinner, and their range of cakes definitely fills a hole for those with a sweet tooth. And to drink? Tinderbox not only boasts an extensive range of fruit and herbal teas, coffees and cold drinks, but a selection of popular wines, champagnes and ciders.
I would, if I were you.
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