How to make a perfect latte

Australia has a big coffee culture, probably as a result of a lot of Italian and Greek influences in our multicultural migrant communities. We don’t really do the big chains of coffee stores, most people would rather go to their local café and get a fabulous cappuccino, latte, macchiato or espresso from them.

Coffee machines for home are also big, and I have one, thanks K who gave me hers. I only have to pay her back by making her great coffee when she is around. Here is how to make a great latte using my Krupps coffee maker.

Ingredients
¼ cup bottled water per person
1 tablespoon good coffee grounds per person, I use decaffeinated by preference.
1 cup cold semi-skim milk, half way between skim and full cream, it makes the best froth.
Sugar to taste.
A glass for your latte.

Instructions
Add the water to the coffee machine and seal the pressurised lid. This is the only time I used bottled water, otherwise I get it out of the tap.

Add a scoop of coffee per person to the basket and tamp it down. The basket I use has convenient markings on the side of it so I know I have the right amount. Do you like my tamper? P made it for me ^_^.

Get your latte glass and fill it 2/3 of the way with milk. Poor this into your jug and turn the machine on.

Wait until the coffee just starts to come out of the machine, then release your steam valve to make sure you have enough pressure. If you do, place the steam head in your milk, so the nozzle is just covered and allow the milk to froth. Move the jug so the nozzle is always just covered and stay there until the jug is hot to touch (or you run out of steam). Look at the creama on that coffee, the sign of a good cup.

Tap the jug on the bench to release some of the bubbles and then poor slowly into your glass, making sure you have about 2cm of froth on the top. Use a spoon to hold back some of the froth if required. Leave about 2cm at the top of the glass for the coffee.

Very slowly poor the coffee into glass. It should rest in a layer above the milk but below the foam, creating a great visual affect.

Serve your friends to ahhhs of appreciation.