Those who know me do realize I absolutely love good coffee. Even on vacation the goal is to find the shops with the locally roasted beans and well-trained baristas. This series is a how-to for those who want to save money but love good coffee.

Now, I love to serve espresso straight, occasionally adding a bit of honey or raw sugar. I also like a good latte or mocha latte or espresso macchiato. This means frothing and steaming milk. Here is a short how-to on frothing milk.

• With a pump machine, you are better off because the water reservoir can be refilled where the inexpensive steam machines need you to wait, twist off the top, then refill. If there are more than one of you who you make drinks for that becomes somewhat annoying.
• A stainless steel pitcher really makes a difference. You will also need a thermometer to gauge the temperature. If you steam too hot you might ruin the milk. Also, you want to do the steaming before you pull your espresso shot.
• Start with cold milk, the pitcher being cold may aid in frothing as well. Choose the milk you enjoy, although quality of milk and amount of fat effects results. Trial and error is your friend.
•  The milk will rise as you place the pitcher under the steam wand with the wand in the milk. This is called “stretching” the milk. Lower the pitcher to keep the tip of the wand just below the milk surface.
• When you reach the right temperature, usually 150-155 degrees F you should turn the steam off, remove the pitcher of milk, then use an auxiliary cup to release a few bursts of steam to keep the wand clean. You should stop before desired temp as the thermometer lags its reading.
• Large bubbles are no good. Bang the pitcher on the counter and swish a bit to minimize that. Again, trial and error will teach you a lot based on the milk, pitcher and machine you use.
• Now you can pull your shots. Pour shots into your mug. (I add sugar or syrup or chocolate at this point.) Then pour the milk onto the espresso.

As a parting note, I have tried frothing devices. They just do not work as well as real steam. Next article I will tell how to use your frothed milk. Really, you can figure that out, but I need to show off more photos.

 Tell me how this works for you! Also, any tips from some baristas out there?

Those who know me do realize I absolutely love good coffee. Even on vacation the goal is to find the shops with the locally roasted beans and well-trained baristas. This series is a how-to for those who want to save money but love good coffee.

Now I have had some friends who were and currently are professional baristas.  Their skill amazes me, from coffee art to their knowledgable experience in brewing and pulling shots. I needed  a budget cut at home. And, when my favorite locally run coffee places disappeared, I was left with Starbucks. Sigh. I did not want to be like other friends who spend a fortune each day or week at the drive-through Starbucks on over-roasted, overpriced coffee. You and I are not likely to make coffee as good as the best barista, but I think you can easily surpass the stuff you get at Starbucks from your very own home and save your bank account.

The ingredients for good espresso coffee are the quality of the beans and its roasting, its proper grind and the machine’s ability to provide enough pressure to produce a good head of crema. You need the best beans roasted with skill and ground with a quality burr grinder. Your machine needs to have at least 15 bars of pressure and correct temperature to pull the right stuff out in each espresso shot. Like most of you, I would love to have a fancy $1200 automated machine, or even better yet a decent $600 machine that would do it almost as good as a professional machine. Add another $200 for a decent grinder. We have not added in the cost of beans yet and are nearing at least $1000.

But, go cheap like I did. I use a $99 pump machine with a $5 can of pre-ground espresso coffee beans and it may not be like that gourmet shop in town, but it actually taste far better than your local Starbucks. If you buy two drinks a week at $5 you are spending over $500 a year! So, if you do it my way, you can spend less than half of that and have a gourmet drink everyday. On top of that, you can be green by saving plastic and paper cups from landfills. Here is what you need.

Espresso Machine: Here are a couple options under $100.

•  $99.95 Delongh DGI EC155  (Pump is better than steam pressure). I have used this machine more than twice a day for over two years and it still works. Like all machines, decalcifying is important.
• $21.00 Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker  (Makes larger amount of espresso, but cannot froth milk. You can take camping!) I bought my mom one of these when we visited her and the coffee tasted fine. Great if you need a larger amount.

Ground Coffee: Here are two options I use under $5 a can/brick that I think are good.

• Cafe Bustelo as low as 3.86 a can of 10 oz.! (Found in corner market and local groceries around Southern CA for about $4-$5)
• Cafe La Llave as low as $4.39 a brick of 10 oz.  (I like this one better, I also have found in the corner market or groceries in Southern CA for about $4-$5)

Accessories: A list of tools you will need.

•  Tamper $5 or so online or at Target, etc. (to press the grinds into the portafilter)
• Measuring: $5 A simple 1 oz. and 2 oz. measuring cup for the shots to be moved to your drink.
• Cups: $5 reusable coffee mugs that can be taken in the car and save the environment.

Any tips you can share? What machines and process do you use? Any questions?

Yes, I love coffee–check out my category for it! What do you think of this infograph of 15 things you should know about? Are you gonna give up caffeine–or not? [The rest of the infograph is below]

HT: Homeownersinsurance.org via Holy Kaw

Via: Homeowners Insurance

Yes, I love coffee and all that goes with it–caffeine, conversation and flavor! So, I thought I would share with you a random picture album.

My favorite drinks: espresso with foam, latte and French press.

What are your favorite coffee drinks?

This is a pretty cool photo I shot this morning at a meeting with a friend. You like? I drank the bigger cup, of course.

Here is a question: Why do Christian’s love coffee so much?

It may not be coffee, but the coffee shops seem to be kept in business with Bible toting believers. Your answer?

Most of my readers know already that I love good coffee. So, when Cafe Bravo opened in Murrieta I was hopeful for a good experience. They deliver! The rosetta was a nice touch, too. Cafe Bravo is a local boutique roasting company. Their beans are made right here in the valley and are tops! Look for their grand opening.

My wife and I enjoyed sleeping in and then this brunch: English-style scones, homemade espresso latte´, and the morning newspaper! The scones are homegrown to Temecula, CA and are amazing. (You can purchase the scones at Delaney’s where they come frozen and pop right into the oven). Delaney’s has its grand opening today in Old Town Temecula.

What’s one of your favorite breakfast/brunch things to share?

I opened my Starbucks cappuccino and this is what appeared this morning.

Is this a sign?  Can God speak through a coffee cup lid?

This is the desert island with a fun house.  Below is my obsession addiction…coffee.

OK.  So what clues are in these sketches?  Ideas?

This weeks doodles are of my favorite coffee mug, a Bible and GOD is GOOD…

What’s going on in my cranium?  Can you tell?