How can you recognise a good café? Order an espresso: if it is strong and concentrated and comes with a glass of water, it may be worth returning. Should you drink the water before or after the espresso? And why is it served at all?
Put simply, latte art is the art of drawing pictures on coffee with milk. Although it is a barista skill that can take considerable practice, any coffee lover can learn it. Basic patterns are not as difficult as they look: a little practice goes a long way.
At home, with friends or during an evening with a book, you can enjoy truly good, aromatic coffee. All it takes is a little knowledge, high-quality beans and a touch of care.
Espresso is especially popular in Italy and Spain, but coffee lovers across Europe increasingly appreciate it too. You can order it in a café or restaurant, or prepare it yourself. Which coffee should you choose to make an excellent espresso at home?
Grinding is a crucial process and one of the key elements of good espresso. Some people even consider it the most important stage of coffee preparation.
Coffee is discussed and written about in countless ways. But what about the grounds left after brewing? They still contain various compounds, including antioxidants, and can have useful applications. It is not only the beans that invite creativity: what can you do with used coffee grounds?