Prepare delicious latte at home without an espresso machine
Many people enjoy their coffee with milk or milk alternatives such as oat milk, soy milk, or similar. The preparation of a latte is very individual, as few households own an espresso machine. However, with some coffee makers, you can make great latte without having to invest a lot of money. We'll show you how to make a delicious cappuccino or caffe latte at home using simple ingredients.
Differences in the preparation of latte
Depending on the ratio of coffee to milk and the consistency of the milk, different types of café au lait are distinguished. A cappuccino, for example, contains less milk (approx. 120 ml) than a caffe latte (approx. 200 ml). While cappuccinos and caffe latte are prepared with warm, foamed milk and espresso, the French café au lait originally consists only of warm milk, without foam, and filter coffee.
Making a cappuccino
A cappuccino consists of espresso, milk, and milk foam. If you have an espresso machine, the best way to froth the milk is with the steam from your coffee machine. But even if you don't have a portafilter machine at home, you can easily make a cappuccino.
A short, strong brew from a moka pot or Aeropress is a great base for a cappuccino. Your mocha tastes best from the Brikka model by Bialetti , as this moka pot's special valve produces a bit of crema, making the coffee taste sweeter than with other models. Short, intense brews from the Aeropress are slightly less strong but all the more aromatic . It's worth trying! Here you'll find preparation instructions for the moka pot and the Aeropress .
For milk foam, it's best to use an electric milk frother. This allows you to froth milk, both hot and cold, or simply heat it. Most machines cost between €50 and €100 and easily produce fine-pored milk foam for your latte. Models with dishwasher-safe milk containers are particularly practical.
The right milk for your latte
In principle, you can use any type of milk for your latte. The taste will vary depending on the processing of the base product and the different protein and fat content. Generally, whole milk with a higher fat content tastes slightly creamier than semi-skimmed milk with a lower fat content. Lactose-free milk, on the other hand, tastes slightly sweeter and froths more than whole milk due to the special treatment. You'll notice this when frothing the milk.
Vegan milk alternatives are available in numerous plant-based versions. Here, too, the differences lie in the protein and fat content of the products, as well as the inherent flavor of the respective plant. Often, only the "barista" versions produce sufficient foam for your latte. These vegan products usually have a little fat added to create a creamy, milky consistency. In principle, you can froth milk with these products just as you would with whole milk. In terms of flavor, you need to choose a milk alternative that enriches your latte and doesn't overpower it with a strong flavor of its own.
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