Step by Step Photos Show You How To Make the Perfect Latte
I used to buy a latte every morning on my way to work, now I enjoy an even better cup at home.
I am one of the lucky ones, as my husband makes me a delicious latte every morning. He loves to read about coffee and do a bit of experimentation and now he has perfected his craft. While I enjoyed being the guinea pig, the perfect consistency is even better. And lucky for me, he shared his secret and is happy for me to share it with you.
The photo is today's cup.
Start with Freshly Roasted Beans
Grind and Measure Coffee Beans
Grind coffee beans to an "espresso grind." If your grinder doesn't have this setting, grind until very fine. Some say this is the most important step.
For our perfect cup of coffee, we make each cup individually. We start with two tablespoons of ground coffee, which would give the equivalent of a double shot at a coffee house. The scoop that came with our machine is exactly 1 tablespoon, making our measuring quite simple.
Coffee Grinders Make a Big Difference
Some professionals say the coffee grinder is more important than the coffee maker. Most are either burr mill or blade grinders. Burr mill grinders are more consistent in grind size, but are more expensive. You can get good grind with a blade grinder as long as you keep a close eye on the grind time, and want a finer grind. For a coarse grind, burr mill makes a big difference.
Coffee grinders can be used to grind spices, however we recommend that you use a dedicated grinder for coffee. Otherwise your coffee will pick up the flavors of the spices or your spices will be coffee flavored.
Currently we own two coffee grinders, our primary is a Delonghi Burr Mill Grinder which is no longer available. Our travel coffee grinder is a Krupps blade grinder. Here are a variety of grinders for your review.
Krups 203-42 Fast Touch Coffee Grinder, Black
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/22/2009) 
List Price: $24.00
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $90.00
Breville BCG450XL Conical Burr Grinder
Amazon Price: $97.00 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $149.99
Krups GVX2-12 Burr Grinder, Black and Silver
Amazon Price: $56.99 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $84.00
KitchenAid KPCG100ER Pro Line Burr Coffee Grinder, Empire Red
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $299.99
Press the Ground Coffee into Your Filter Holder
This is a very important step, not to be skipped.
Next you want to press the coffee down firmly and evenly with the tamper which came with your machine. See the pictures above to see what our filter holder looks like just prior to attaching to the machine.
This Is The Espresso Machine Used on This Page
We were surprised to see our machine available at Amazon, as Breville is an Australian brand. Ours runs on 240 volts, but should operate exactly the same as this one. Over the years we have had steam and pump extraction espresso machines and find this machine to be an excellent value.
Breville ESP8XL Cafe Roma Stainless Espresso Maker
Amazon Price: $245.00 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $249.99
From Amazon's Product Description: "Espresso enthusiasts will delight in the 15-bar Thermoblock pump which forces water through coffee grounds at the ideal pressure to create delicious, rich espresso shots. The machine also produces an abundance of crema--the light brown liquid that sits atop an espresso and characterizes a well-pulled shot--via its dual-wall filter system. Filters synchronize with heated and pressurized water to perfectly extract and caramelize coffee oils, resulting in a velvety, flavor-packed crema that will impress purists and novices alike."
Prepare Your Machine
Next you need to add the water into your machine's water reservoir. Our water reservoir is the clear strip on the right hand side of the machine. The trap door opens on top and the reservoir pulls out.
Be sure that the top of the filter holder is free of loose coffee grounds. Then, attach and lock the filter holder in place with a twist.
Now Is A Good Time to Pre-Heat Your Mug!
We like our coffee hot. Our secret is to pre-heat the cup. This simple task is accomplished by filling the cup with boiling water and leaving it sit until we are ready to fill it with our coffee. You could pre-heat the cup by putting it on the warming plate on top of the espresso machine, but that takes too long for us. Once we can smell the beans, we want our coffee!
Some Supplies You Shoud Have
If you don't have these items, they are quite useful. You can order them here and Amazon will deliver them straight to your door.
RSVP Terry's Tamper
Amazon Price: $7.39 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $7.99
Krups XS5020 20-Ounce Stainless-Steel Milk Frothing Pitcher
Amazon Price: $15.48 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $19.99
WMF Bistro Espresso Spoon, Set of 4
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $7.40
MIU #90070 Frothing Thermometer
Amazon Price: $23.57 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Krups 0900593 Espresso Scoop, Tamper, Froth Tip Wrench
Amazon Price: $4.25 (as of 12/22/2009)
List Price:
Let's Make Coffee!
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Start or activate your coffee pump. As soon as the coffee starts to drip out of the filter holder and into the cup, note the time.
Let the coffee continue to pump for 20 seconds (using a 15 bar pump machine).
Too much time will extract off-flavours and the coffee will not be as good. Too little time and you don't get enough coffee.
Ideally 20 seconds will yield 80 - 100 ml (3-4 oz).
Steaming the Milk
Pour 8 ounces of cold milk into a stainless steel frothing pitcher. A traditional latte is three parts steamed milk to one part espresso coffee with froth milk optional on top. We like ours a bit stronger, so we use 8 oz milk. A cappuccino uses even less milk and is defined as one part espresso coffee, one part steamed milk and one part froth milk. Lift the frothing pitcher onto the frothing wand until the head of the frothing wand is completely submerged in milk. Activate the frothing switch and support the pitcher with your hand. We use our fingers to feel the temperature. We know the milk is done when the froth rises like in the photo and the pitcher is just reaching the "too hot for my fingers" stage.
Dump the Pre-heat Boiling Water and Add Your Sugar First (if you use Sugar)
Add the Coffee (Stir until Sugar Dissolves)
Next It's Time to Add the Milk and Froth
Use a spoon to hold the froth back while you pour the milk. Then use the spoon to push the froth on top.
Finally, Sit Back and Enjoy the Perfect Latte
Home or Coffee Shop, Who Does it Better?
Take your side and let us know what you think. Can a great cup of coffee at home be better than the coffee shop experience. I think so, what about you?
Where do you have your best cup of coffee?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byA perfect homemade latte is best (like the one on this page)
Nothing beats a good coffee shop
CherylK says:
I haven't an espresso machine so I'm going to have to choose the coffee shop latte. Besides, it's a treat for me. I might change my mind if/when I get an espresso maker, though :-)
Posted October 23, 2009
Custom Coffee Mugs
Using the Zazzle platform, I make custom coffee mugs. Here are a few to choose from, and there are plenty more at Albom Design Store
Designs and Photos by Rhonda Albom, copyrighted and protected
Available on mugs as shown or on T-shirts, mugs or novelty items.
Click on the item above for purchase info or Click here to see my store
Cafe Latte on eBay
You never know what you will find on eBay. The computer is out searching for "cafe latte". Here is what it found today. Check back often, it changes frequently.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Please Rate this Lens
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Please Add Your Comments!
So, how do you like your coffee? Let me know here. You do not have to be a Squidoo member to post in this comment section. All comments are welcome. However, if you want to join click here and you can join squidoo now.
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Reply
- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Nov 9, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
- I make these at home too. Saves a lot of money, and they usually come out better, too!
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Reply
- puzzlemaker puzzlemaker Oct 28, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
- Thanks for featuring my Caffeine Molecule lens! You must have been reading my mind...I just saw this latte article featured on another article, but got interrupted before I clicked on it. Then I remembered yesterday I hadn't read it just about the time I got your message. Too good!
Would you believe I have an espresso machine a friend gave me and I have NEVER used it? Shame on me! I thought about giving it away, but now I'm going to give it a try. Thanks Rhonda!
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Reply
- CherylK CherylK Oct 23, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
- Great step-by-step instructions and the pictures really make it a good guide. Definitely a good lens to feature on Cabaret Squidoo!
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Reply
- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Sep 21, 2009 @ 8:07 am
- Wonderful lens. Thank-you for the step by step and all the tips. We will try them. 5 stars*****
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Reply
- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids Jul 23, 2009 @ 11:01 pm
- You're a regular Barista! Starbucks will be sending you an employment application in the mail...he he Great "how to" lens! Go Rocket Mom!
About the Author
(Pukeko - named after my yacht)
Lensmaster Pukeko has been a member since May 17 2009, has rated 771 lenses, favorited 719, and has created 109 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Best of Make Me Laugh - Top 10 Funniest Zazzle Designs of 2009". See all my lenses
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