Enjoyed the world over, Cafe Au lait simply means coffee with milk in French.It's easy to make, but difficult to master, a café Au lait is known for its bold coffee flavor and smooth finish, making it a fantastic drink morning, afternoon, or night.
Step 1: Pick the right coffee beans.
The best drink is a full-flavored bean.Coffees from Central America often lose some flavor when mixed with milk, and mild or light roast beans are not robust enough to provide the coffee taste you want.Sumatran, Java, or Brazilian beans have a big flavor.You can brew espresso beans like traditional coffee.
Step 2: An extra strength cup of coffee is what you should drink.
If you want to avoid weakly flavoured coffee, you should start with a strong pot of coffee.While some people suggest using espresso, a cup of espresso and steamed milk is not a latté.If you use a coffee maker, you should use more ground beans and less water.If you use a French press or press pot, be sure to add an extra 2 to 3 cups of grounds to the hot water for at least 4 minutes.
Step 3: A cup of milk.
It's a term for heating up the milk.Don't foam the milk, just warm it up.Place it in a saucepan and heat it up slowly, until it is hot to the touch.It shouldn't be bubbling.The steaming wand found on an espresso machine will heat the milk up without the risk of burning it.You can get a rich café Au lait taste with whole milk.Air bubbles improve the taste of milk drinks, so they should be slightly foamed.Take a whisk to the milk and remove it from the heat to get the best flavor.
Step 4: Pour hot milk and coffee into your cup.
If you want equal parts of milk and coffee, you need to avoid stirring it up.Transfer the warm milk into a heat-safe measuring cup to make it easier to pour.The ratios do not have to be exact, but a cafe is supposed to have half milk and half coffee.To get a stronger cup, add more or less milk.If you can't pour coffee and milk at the same time, pour the milk first.
Step 5: The cafe should be served immediately.
If you want to emphasize the French aspect, you should serve the coffee in a small bowl.Most Italians use espresso instead of coffee, so serve it in a tall glass with a handle.Most French drinkers add 1-2 packets of sugar.
Step 6: Understand the different kinds of cafes.
The term "coffee with milk" is so vague that there are a lot of variations.The most common difference is between European and American cafés.American cafés have milk scalded in a saucepan, unlike Europeans who always steam them milk with an espresso machine.They are made with espresso and milk.The majority of milk has been foamed, not just warmed.There are shots of espresso with foamed milk on top.
Step 7: Add a dash of foamed milk to the top of the cup.
While café Au lait is supposed to be light on foam, a thin topping is often used to make the cup look good and provide a little dash of sweet foam to the coffee.If you have milk left over, whisk it with sugar and pour it over your coffee.
Step 8: You can add a dash of chocolate to your drinks.
You can add sugar and cocoa powder to your milk before whisking it.The result is a drink that is perfect for a nightcap or a day at the beach.If you want to change things up, you can use one whole vanilla bean.After removing the seeds from the bean, heat it with the milk and sugar for a few minutes.
Step 9: Equal parts coffee and chicory is what the New Orleans Café Au Lait has.
This Creole version of the French classic is the only way to get it in New Orleans.You can either measure in your own ground chicory or buy premixed blends.You should serve it with beignets to counteract the bitterness of the chicory.
Step 10: Cool the coffee and milk, then blend it with ice for an iced cafe.
This is not a cafe since the milk isn't warmed.For a warm day, this iced treat has the flavor of a cafe.Add some sugar to make it taste better.