We get it. You don’t want to mindlessly throw coffee beans from some standard brand that you found in some standard supermarket and mix it with tap water to make a hot cup of joe. You also don’t care to stand in a long line every morning to buy something overpriced while someone announces your name wrong. So is it even possible to make a Barista-style coffee at home?
This is a guest post in collaboration with Alycia Coloma.
You don’t want to waste countless hours and money learning new terms, buying extremely expensive equipment that you may use just once, or doing complex techniques that you are afraid of failing at.
If you feel that these are standing in your way, look no further! It’s actually a lot less effort than you might think. It may take some investment, but it’s not as much as you may think it would be. So, without further ado, check out the following tips for making barista-style coffee at home.
Invest in the right type of coffee
Whole bean coffee is easier to store and it will keep longer than ground coffee. While you do have to grind it up before brewing, that’s a small price to pay for a fresher cup of coffee. Your grinding skills contribute to how good your coffee taste is, but choosing the right coffee beans for espresso is the first step to brewing up a bold and flavorful shot of espresso.
Another avenue is the coffee pod, which keeps the right amount of coffee in a vacuum-sealed pod that can be easily inserted into your coffee machine for a Barista-style coffee at home.
Both whole bean coffee and pods are available at your average supermarket, or you can also buy coffee online. A lot of online retailers will cut you some wonderful deals if you’re a first-time customer, as well as provide you with informative subscription boxes, make suggestions according to your tastes, and offer delivery straight to your home.
Use only what you need for a Barista-style coffee at home
With a pod, it’s easier because you know how big your coffee mug will be in general. Usually, the machines that use pods are single-use, however there are machines that will enable multiple servings. These do take some adjustment, so at least you can use one pod per cup.
If you are grinding the whole beans, generally 90 grams of whole beans will fit a 6-cup, automatic drip coffee maker. Make sure you store the coffee in a dark-coloured or opaque ceramic or glass container so light keeps it longer. Also, DO NOT FREEZE THE COFFEE. The moisture will spoil it faster.
Equipment you need for a Barista-style coffee at home
When people hear of barista-style coffee, they think of purchasing the most expensive Italian piece of coffee machinery available. While it is true that you can get really good results by spending a lot, you really don’t need to. If you have whole beans, you can use a simple, inexpensive grinder and a simple food scale to measure out the coffee.
Also, you may not need to get a drip coffee maker at all! There are a lot of single-serve filters that you can put on top of a mug and pretty inexpensive French presses which only require a coarser grind and a few minutes’ time to steep.
Use filtered water
While the taste is better with filtered water, that’s not the only reason you should use it when making your coffee. In fact, it actually leads to fewer impurities like heavy metals and other minerals to build up in your equipment. In addition to saving your equipment, it can also potentially save you from lead and other contaminants.
Use your imagination
While you can buy fancy syrups and other items to add a little more “oomph” to your coffee, you can also throw in a bit of cinnamon or chocolate you have already in your spice cabinet or even get a can of whipped cream for your hot brewed Kona coffee! Less is more. Even pairing it with a tasty baked good like a cookie or cake can add to the experience.
So there you have it! All it takes is a concerted time and effort to accommodate an upgraded mug of coffee to start your day! When you get the hang of it, you’ll want to explore more of this enjoyable craft. And you’ll be an expert at making Barista-style coffee at home!
How did I do?
Did you enjoy this post? Why not hang around and read a few more whilst you’re here. If you want to read some more of my usual kind of stuff, head over to my Mum Life section. You’ll find all things parenting with a tongue-in-cheek twist. Or if you want some days out and UK family holiday inspiration, click on the Travel section.
If you like a bit of social media madness, pop over to my Facebook page. You’ll be able to have a laugh at what ridiculousness goes on in my house with three very small boys on a daily basis. Warning – there is often sarcasm, and usually swearing. There are also great travel reviews and some AWESOME giveaways. Feel free to join my Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee – Shits and Giggles Parenting Group too, where everyone shares their hilarious stories.
If you like what you see, how about you check me out on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter too.
And if you want to work with me, feel free to give me a shout here or at helen@twinstantrumsandcoldcoffee.com and I’ll get back to you.