Renew your brew and punch up the flavour with our easy coffee embellishment ideas.
After countless cups of the same coffee, you may find yourself wondering how you can reinvigorate your morning java. Skip the expensive coffee shop and use our tips to enjoy delicious coffee a little differently each day.
Brewing Basics
Always use cold water to brew and store coffee in an airtight container in a cool, dry cabinet.
Tip: Use 6 ounces of water for every 30 millilitres (2 tablespoons) of coffee. These measurements can vary between coffeemakers and, as always, your choice in flavour.
Roast Types
Before embellishing, choose the right roast for you. Remember, roast only impacts flavour, not caffeine content.
Light: The beans have just had the oil cooked out of them. This is where the complexity and acidity of the beans are most noticeable. Roasts that fall in this category are typically used in specialty coffee drinks.
Medium: The most common roast used by coffee chains as their “coffee du jour.” This roast gives a balanced representation of the coffee bean and will ideally represent where it’s grown. Tastes will commonly be nutty and spicy.
Dark: It takes a serious coffee drinker to truly recognize the flavours of this roast. Many equate these roasts to the “bitter coffee taste” that so many misinterpret as a standard for any and all coffee. Dark roasts mix magically with sweeteners (should you decide to add them) and hold up best when blended with dairy.
Seasonal Embellishments
Part of coffee shops’ allure has a lot to do with their flavourings. With bars lined with flavoured syrups, it seems like they can make anything you could ever want. Bring out your inner barista with these ideas and treat yourself to a flavourful cup of coffee the next time you find yourself craving a coffee shop brew.
Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream
Top your coffee with some homemade whipped cream. Simply mix a tablespoon of pumpkin spice syrup with heavy whipping cream and beat until it forms soft peaks.
Caramel Syrup with Vanilla Whipped Cream
Use a traditional whip cream but step it up with a luscious drizzle of caramel syrup.
Hot Chocolate Mocha
Start with your favourite hot chocolate mix as a base and use coffee instead of water to mix. Add a peppermint stick for a wintery spin!
Seasonings
Think of the common seasonings associated with autumn and dash them into a freshly poured cup. Use nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon and cocoa powder. Even a small amount of ginger will help combat the acidity of most roasts and will produce a mellow brew.
Tip: Add a few dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg or even vanilla extract into coffee grounds before brewing to seriously draw out those uplifting flavours.
Tip: Try using coconut or almond milk when fixing your morning coffee, cappuccino or latte. This will give every cup a nutty and full-flavored boost.
