Today, October 1, all countries around the world celebrate International Coffee Day. It is celebrated by coffee producers, professional baristas and fans of the aromatic drink. Many countries also have their own national Coffee Days, but this day is a holiday for coffee lovers without any borders. In honor of him, MIR 24 asked restaurant baristas and chef bartenders to share their signature coffee recipes.
Photo: courtesy of the Kuznya House restaurant
“Making delicious coffee at home is possible and necessary. After all, what is most important here is the quality of the grain, and not the presence of special restaurant equipment,” says barista of the Kuznya House restaurant Pavel Eremeev
. “It’s best to purchase a small packet of freshly roasted Arabica beans from your favorite coffee shop, where they can both grind the coffee for your brewing method and give you some advice.”
One of the most common and versatile methods of making coffee at home is the French press. We will use it. Let's take freshly brewed and filtered black coffee as a basis.
Making coffee in Turkish
Most likely, the most ancient method of making a fragrant drink is coffee brewed in a Turk, otherwise called a cezve. It is also called “Turkish coffee”.
To prepare it, you need to know in advance how many people you need to treat. Based on this, the size of the Turks is selected, and this is important. The taste and aroma may change if you cook only three in a Turk for four servings.
For a serving, take one teaspoon of coffee, which has been ground to a dust state. Fill with water (preferably spring water) and cook over low heat until the foam begins to rise. Then the Turk is quickly removed from the heat, and the foam is gently collected and placed into cups. After this procedure, the Turk is put back on the fire and the drink is heated. The boiling procedure can be repeated up to 6 times, at the discretion of the master. If you need sweet coffee, then it is better to put sugar in the cezve first. Do the same with spices.
Important: A particularly rich taste and indescribable aroma is obtained if the Turk is heated with hot sand.
The classic version of cooking “Turkish” - on hot sand
How to choose coffee for a coffee machine
Of course, everyone has different tastes. However, there are certain selection criteria, compliance with which will allow you to easily prepare a delicious drink. First of all, when looking for coffee, you should pay attention to its variety. The two most common types are Arabica and Robusta. Their differences are as follows:
- Arabica has a variety of flavors, one of which is sourness. The grains are large and round in shape;
- Robusta will add bitterness and richness to the drink, making it stronger. This variety is suitable for lovers of foam - it is Robusta that is responsible for its formation. The grains are small, their shape is oblong.
So what should you choose? True coffee connoisseurs prefer to mix both types. In the case of a coffee machine, the best option would be a mixture in the ratio of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta.
The next selection criterion is ground coffee or beans. The drink made from freshly ground grains has the richest taste. However, coffee beans are more expensive, and not everyone has a coffee grinder.
The grind of the coffee also plays a role in its preparation. Fine grinding is useful for brewing coffee in a Turk, while medium or coarse grinding is suitable for a coffee machine.
Don't forget about the degree of roasting of the beans.
- Light roast is the least popular. It is not entirely suitable for preparing a drink in a coffee machine, as it adds excessive sourness to the coffee.
- Medium roast is best suited for use in a coffee maker.
- Dark roasting will enrich the taste of the drink, giving it bitterness and strength.
Preparing a drink in a coffee pot
This technology method is also simple. Its main value lies in the possibility of obtaining a large volume of product. So:
- Put the coffee pot with water on the fire.
- Warm up the cups.
- Before the water boils, remove the coffee pot and pour coarse or medium ground coffee into it and stir.
- You need to wait a few minutes.
- Pour the resulting drink using a fine strainer.
The coffee pot cannot be used for other drinks. And keeping it properly clean will also not be unnecessary.
Health
Against fleas
It turns out that your dog can also use leftover coffee. How?
Because of its strong smell, coffee can be used as a home treatment to get rid of fleas.
When bathing your dog, wipe it with coffee residue. This will have the added benefit of eliminating the wet dog smell.
Coffee against dermatitis
To combat flaking skin and cellulite, you need to mix a cup of ground coffee (not coarsely ground!), a few tablespoons of sea salt or sugar and coconut oil. The resulting paste must be applied to problem areas in a circular motion and then rinsed off. This will not only reduce cellulite with regular use over time, but will also provide excellent hydration to the skin.
French press - convenient and beautiful
One of the simple, but very aesthetic methods of cooking is in a French press. This method is suitable for restaurants and coffee shops that have coffee cards and serve single-origin coffee (this is coffee whose beans are collected exclusively from one territory and during one period).
Video on the topic
Making coffee using a French press
Click Play to view
At home, this technology has many advantages:
- You can brew any type of coffee in a French press.
- Spices are added at the same time as coffee powder.
- The drink is brewed very carefully.
- This convenient method reveals the taste of the drink most fully.
You might be interested in Mocha in the Cloud
There are other advantages of this method. But you need to understand that coffee made using a French press is not espresso. This is a completely special, different drink. And you need to get used to this.
Coffee paint
Coffee can be used as paint. The safe and natural dye found in coffee beans can be used to create a special dye. With its help you can safely tint your hair. In order to perform staining you will need:
- Hair conditioner – 120 ml.
- Instant coffee – 1 tbsp (it is better to choose granules for creating paint).
- Hot water -60 ml.
Water and coffee need to be mixed and a drink made from these ingredients. Then combine the conditioner and coffee (in proportions of ¼ of each component). The resulting composition must be carefully moved so that the mass becomes homogeneous. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes. After this, the dye can be applied to dry hair. It is recommended to rub it in for 2-3 minutes to achieve the desired coloring or toning effect. Leave the mixture on your hair for 15-30 minutes. Afterwards it should be washed off under warm running water. Dry your hair with a towel. The result will be a light coffee tint.
If the drink remains, it can also be used, but for painting wooden structures. The surface is pre-treated with sandpaper. Then 2-3 layers of coffee drink are applied to it. You will need to leave it to dry for 15-35 minutes. The drying time and the number of layers are adjustable - it all depends on the desired shade.
Filter coffee maker - brewing coffee for busy people
This process is not complicated. The grains are ground and the powder is placed in a filter made of paper. Water flows through this filter for several minutes.
The finished drink accumulates in a container that doubles as a thermos. The more powder in the filter, the stronger the drink, however, the consumption of powder per cup with this method is much greater. But this depends on the model of your coffee maker.
The main advantage of this method is its automation. The process occurs without your constant control, but you get a lot of drink, and it is stored for some time in a thermos, and without sediment.
You can quickly brew coffee at home using a filter coffee maker.
Coffee face scrub
It is not difficult to prepare a product for a gentle but effective cleansing of facial skin. You can use various ideas for preparing the composition. For additional nutrition, honey is added to the composition, and olive oil for moisturizing. The recipe for a nourishing facial scrub requires coffee beans and natural honey. The sweet component (2 tbsp) must be melted in a water bath. Grind the coffee. You can use the grounds that remain at the bottom of the cup (2 tbsp). All components are mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed. It is recommended to apply the composition 1-2 times a week. If you need to moisturize your facial skin, instead of honey, add 2 tbsp olive oil (unflavored) to your coffee.
Geyser coffee maker - a method originally from France
The first analogues of such devices appeared about two hundred years ago, in France. But the design has since been improved, acquiring a modern look.
Video on the topic
Making coffee in a geyser coffee maker
Click Play to view
In its current version it has three compartments. One contains coarsely ground coffee, the other contains water, and the third compartment is for the finished product. Coffee here is prepared by boiling water. In such a coffee maker, water is passed through the poured coffee once. And according to the type of heating, the device can operate from electricity or another heat source.
Coffee machines and coffee makers: what are they?
A coffee maker is a kitchen device that brews coffee. A coffee making machine will not only save your time, but will undoubtedly give you moments of pleasure along with a cup of your favorite brand of coffee. You just need to load the ingredients and wait for the drink to brew.
Manufacturers of coffee makers produce the following types for home use:
- A drip coffee maker is one of the most simplified options. It can only make one of many types of coffee. Hot water passes through a filter with ground coffee and the drink, after heating, flows into a coffee cup.
- Carob coffee maker - this unit prepares mainly espresso, however, it is also capable of brewing other types of coffee drink. A horn coffee maker works by passing hot water through a horn filled with ground coffee beans and pouring it into a cup. The main thing you should know is that the horn of such a machine must be metal.
- Capsule coffee maker - only special capsules with coffee are loaded into it. In such a machine you can brew several types of coffee, depending on the model.
- Geyser coffee maker - with it you can brew coffee on a gas stove. But today there are models on sale that also run on electricity. Coarsely ground coffee beans are best suited for these coffee makers.
- Pod coffee machines are simple and reliable to use. Place the pod -i.e. package of coffee, put it in the machine and turn it on, and the coffee is ready.
Please note. A coffee machine is more complex than a Turkish coffee machine and has multifunctional capabilities.
- built-in device for adjusting the degree of grinding of coffee beans. Therefore, here are the options for recipes for preparing an aromatic drink.
- Also, many models are equipped with a cappuccino maker. To form foam.
- There are models with purifying water filters that improve the properties of water.
Espresso - coffee brewed by machine
This method is called the most technology-dependent. To get good espresso, you need to pass hot water with a pressure of 9 - 15 atmospheres through compressed coffee. The powder is taken very finely ground.
Special taste sensations are achieved through rapid, complete extraction of the product. Since a serving of real espresso has a certain volume, almost all machines are designed for exactly this dosage - 30-35 ml.
Freshly prepared espresso is viscous, like syrup. It should also be decorated with persistent, golden-colored foam - crema. The quality of these attributes determines the qualifications of a barista.
Good espresso is obtained from specially developed blends of several varieties. If their combination is chosen correctly, then the final result is ideal. Naturally, a small portion will cool down earlier, so special cups with thick walls must be heated.
It is believed that a fully automatic machine prepares a drink worse than a carob machine. But it's all about the settings. If they are set correctly, the drink will turn out fabulously aromatic. What is also important is the ability of the barista to thoroughly know the settings of the coffee machine and constantly adjust them. Well, the high cost directly depends on the cost of this machine and the raw materials themselves.
Espresso is brewed in special automatic coffee makers
Coffee soap
Coffee soap is not only a hygiene product, it can also be used as a souvenir, flavoring, or gift. In order to prepare it you will need:
- Soap base (bars of soap) - it is better to purchase an option without dyes and fragrances to preserve the natural aroma of coffee.
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
- Ground coffee or grounds – 1 tbsp.
- Water (boiled).
- Sea salt.
Process of creation:
- Soap bars need to be grated on a fine grater.
- Transfer the resulting shavings into a container and place in a water bath.
- Pour oil into the container.
- Mix.
- Add water (pour in a thin stream, stir constantly).
- Once the mixture is homogeneous in composition, you need to add salt and coffee. The quantity is calculated individually.
Soap molds need to be greased with oil. Then they will need to be filled with the prepared mass. The soap will harden for 72 hours. Various essential oils can be used to add aroma.
Cappuccino - the heritage of the monks
The Capuchins, monks of an Italian monastery, once noticed that adding milk to coffee creates a dense, tasty foam. And a certain self-taught Giuseppe, who lived next to the monastery, built a machine for making cappuccino. We still use his invention, improved and automated.
Essentially, the basis of this process is producing milk foam using steam. And everything else is no longer difficult. Place the prepared foam into a cup where espresso has already been added, and get a white cappuccino. And if you pour coffee into a cup where foam has previously been placed, the cappuccino will turn out black.
If you really want to try a magic drink, but don’t have a miracle machine at hand, don’t despair. We brew coffee in the Turk until the foam rises, and, without allowing it to boil, we lift the Turk and put it back. We do this procedure 7 - 8 times.
You might be interested in Coffee with marshmallows
Now you need to prepare the foam. Pour milk or cream (for one cup) into a metal mug and place it on the stove. After 10 seconds, turn on the mixer and beat the milk. When the large bubbles disappear, remove the mug from the heat. Gently transfer the foam onto the coffee surface. You can savor it!
It's easy to check the quality of cappuccino. A spoonful of sugar is poured onto the foam, and the sugar should remain on the surface. One of the secrets to a delicious cappuccino is the original espresso. It must be very well prepared from high quality grains.
Coffee tea
Another way to diversify recipes for drinks containing coffee is coffee tea. In order to get an unusual drink with tonic and invigorating properties, you will need:
- Black tea (2-4 different varieties to taste) – 0.5 tsp of each type.
- Coffee (any choice) – 1 tsp.
- Milk – added to taste.
- Sugar – 1 tsp
The preparation process is simple: you need to brew tea. Then coffee. First, tea is poured into a glass or cup for serving, then coffee, and mixed together. After this, you can pour in milk and add sugar. As an option, you can use condensed milk. The soft coffee taste will give the drink a delicate shade. The constituent ingredients contribute to a surge of vitality and vigor.
Latte - for milk lovers
Latte macchiato consists of three layers. Translated from Italian it will sound like “stained milk.” In essence, it is a cocktail consisting of layers of espresso, hot milk and foam. The correct technology for making latte macchiato is as follows. Milk is poured into a cup, or better yet a transparent glass. After this, espresso is poured into it in a thin stream. The main thing here is not to mix the layers. There is foam on top. The best option is when hot coffee pours through the delicate foam at the very last moment. The latte is simply prepared in a different order - the milk is carefully poured over the coffee. And this drink has a more pronounced taste of coffee, unlike latte macchiato.
Latte is coffee with a lot of milk
Espresso (Espresso)
To prepare a cup of espresso, beloved by many, you need to pass boiling water through about 10 grams of ground coffee under high pressure. Served in demitasse (warmed cups with thick walls), 2/3 full. Traditional espresso delights with its amazing softness, bright aroma and delicate foam. There are several types of classic espresso: Ristretto (more intense), Lungo (less intense) and Doppio (double espresso).
Flavored coffee - a drink for everyone
If you want to get something unusual from your favorite drink, add something extraneous to it. The main thing is that it is aromatic and edible. There are two ways to achieve the desired effect.
- First option. You need to take some flavoring (vanilla, cinnamon) and add it to freshly roasted coffee. By using this method, you will gain confidence in the quality of the source material.
- Second option. We buy a ready-made product, industrially flavored. It will have a delicate aroma, but the quality of the resulting drink is unlikely to be high. To produce such coffee, beans are usually not the best varieties, because the flavoring will still overwhelm the coffee aroma.
If you want to have a high-quality drink, you should not buy ready-made flavored mixtures. Don't be lazy to prepare them yourself.
Viennese espresso with spices
As the name suggests, Viennese espresso coffee is prepared using savory seasonings such as cinnamon (1/2 tsp), allspice (1/2 tsp) and cloves (4 pieces). First you need to grind the spices, then prepare a double espresso and add them to the drink. Decorate Viennese coffee with delicate whipped cream foam.
Coffee fuel
Coffee can be used to create a natural and environmentally friendly biofuel. The grounds (cake) are used for preparation. Oils should be extracted from it. Then special chemical components are added to the resulting base, which will create an effective fuel, its composition will be completely environmentally friendly. The process of turning coffee into a source of energy for devices requires special installations and equipment.
Coffee fertilizer
In order to improve the mechanical characteristics of the soil, coffee-based fertilizer is used. It is recommended to apply the grounds that remain at the bottom of the pot or cup directly into the soil before digging it. As a result, the soil texture improves. This happens thanks to the natural microelements that are part of coffee. The positive effect is noticeable on complex soils - clay and loam.
