by Chef Brittany Willams
If coffee is what you live for, then you’ll want to check out my recent blog posts on The Best-kept Secret in the Coffee Industry and Coffee Talk with the Wolf Coffee System. Once you finish reading those, you’ll be ready for even more tips and tricks to take your coffee to a whole new level.
We’ve been talking about fun tastes to enhance coffee. So, here are a few more.
Want that awesome caramel swirl in and on top of your coffee?
Try out this super easy caramel sauce recipe.
Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup half & half
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix all but the vanilla in a saucepan and heat over medium/low heat for 5-7 minutes whisking gently. Add the vanilla and cook three minutes longer to thicken. Let it cool a bit and store it in a squeeze bottle or airtight container in your refrigerator.
More Tips & Tricks…
Iced Coffee
When preparing iced coffee, it is best to allow the coffee to cool at room temperature and then placed into the refrigerator for additional chilling. This will eliminate watering down your coffee by just adding ice to hot coffee.
In a hurry? Brew stronger coffee, this way when you add ice, it will only dilute the strength, not the flavor!
Coffee Ice Cubes
Brew some coffee and cool, then pour into ice cube trays and freeze. You will never have watered down coffee again if you are on-the-go!
‘Tis the Season for Hot Chocolate
Your Wolf Coffee System isn’t just for coffee. It’s a total beverage center. The milk carafe allows you to add steamed or frothed milk to your coffee beverage. This is also great for a rich and creamy hot chocolate. Simply add your favorite chocolate sauce (or use the recipe below) and add frothed or steamed milk for a rich and delicious hot chocolate!
Chocolate Sauce:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Mix all but the chocolate chips in a sauce pan over medium heat and bring just to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in chocolate until fully melted. Store in a jar or squeeze bottle for easy use.
And, finally, here’s a little primer on barista lingo…
Your Wolf Coffee System can be used for so many beverages, so here’s an introduction (or reminder for those familiar with the terms) to Barista Lingo!
Coffee: 9oz
Short Coffee: 3oz
Long Coffee: 12oz
Espresso
Approximately a one-ounce shot of coffee brewed under pressure.
Cappuccino
A shot of straight espresso with a shot of foamed milk on top.
Macchiato
Espresso with a splash of frothy steamed milk.
Latte Macchiato
An espresso “marked” with a teaspoon or two of foamed milk. (“Macchiatto” means “marked”)
Café Latte
Also known simply as a “Latte,” this is the most popular espresso drink (and may be served as the default espresso in some places). An espresso made with steamed milk, topped by foamed milk. If you ask for a “double tall,” you’ll get a double tall latte.
Café Mocha
Also known simply as a “Mocha.” A latte with chocolate. Methods of preparation can vary, some using steamed chocolate milk, others adding chocolate to a latte. One variation tops it with whipped cream, with cocoa powder as a garnish.
Crema
The tan-colored foam that forms on top of an espresso shot, as a result of the brewing process. The crema is composed of minuscule air bubbles composed of espresso film and forms a “cap” that protects the espresso proper from being exposed to the air.
There’s nothing like brewing your coffee or other hot beverages in the world’s finest equipment. It makes the job easier, the taste better and the enjoyment of the whole experience a part of life to savor. Test Drive the Wolf Coffee System at your local Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen. Click here to find out how.