mardi 29 octobre 2013

Navigating The Vast World Of Coffee Drinks

By Debrah Elliot


When you ask your barista for a latte or a macchiato or an espresso, those aren't just clever names dreamed up by advertising executives. These are real words that describe not just the drink but the ingredients or process by which the drink has been made. Here is some information about common coffee lingo and what it all means.

First of all, let's start with espresso. Some people believe it's a drink, some believe it's a method of brewing and others think it's a type of bean. The word espresso is the name of the beverage as well as the way it prepared. Any bean can be used, although many consumers prefer a darker roast. The drink is made by forcing extremely hot water through the grounds, which have been finely ground and compressed. This process creates a liquid with a much higher concentration of caffeine than a typical cup of drip coffee. It's smaller than a cup of coffee, but packs much more of a punch.

If you want an espresso drink that is not quite as strong as an espresso, you can order an Americano, which is espresso that has been diluted with hot water. Legend has it that the Americano originated in Italy during the second world war because American soldiers were not used to the strong taste of espresso and preferred that water be added to their drink.

Some like it dark, but some prefer coffee with milk or cream. If you love the addition of steamed milk or foam, there are many options, including the popular French coffee drink caf au lait. This is drink that is half milk and half coffee and very popular as a morning beverage. Lattes and cappuccinos also are popular morning fare. The latte is espresso and milk with a topping of foam, while the cappuccino is espresso and foam.

A few of the other common drink names include the macchiato, which is supposed to be just a shot of espresso topped with a dash of foam. In most American coffeehouses, it resembles a latte more than a true macchiato. If you love chocolate and coffee, you probably have enjoyed your share of caf mochas, which are a type of latte that begins with some rich chocolate at the bottom of the cup, followed by espresso and then the steamed milk.

No matter what coffee drinks you love, the best place in L.A. to get a cup is at Island Monarch Coffee. This Culver City coffeehouse takes its coffee very seriously. Beans are imported from Kona and South America and are roasted after they arrive to ensure the freshest possible flavor. Beans are used within just a few days of roasting, as well, and the water is also special. Island Monarch Coffee uses water that has been purified using reverse osmosis to truly allow the flavor of the coffee come through.




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