Are you a coffee lover but new to brewing?
Do you often feel overwhelmed by the number of coffee options available today? You love the smell of freshly ground coffee; you relish Americanos, Macchiatos and Cappuccinos at the coffee shops but don’t know how to brew a similar cup at home? You are not sure which coffee maker/equipment to buy? If the answer is yes, please read on. This might prove useful.
First, let’s talk about coffee with milk. What kind of characteristics should one look for when picking coffee that goes well with milk and type of coffee maker that enhances flavour & texture of coffee that can blend well with milk?
Bitterness, sourness, sweetness – we can encounter these tastes in coffee. One might dominate the other depending on varietal, processing method, roast level and method of extraction. Coffee with too much sourness or acidity (that sharp, tangy, sparkling sensation in one’s mouth) does not go very well with milk. Might be a bit of exaggeration but imagine having juice with milk. Light roast coffees are usually high on acidity and are enjoyed best black.
Flavors such as chocolate, almond, caramel, hazelnut, honey, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg blend really well with milk. (These are not any added flavors; these are inherent notes in coffee)
Body in layman terms refers to mouth feel. How does the texture of coffee feel in your mouth? Does it feel full-bodied, thick, viscous or syrupy as opposed to watery, thin, light and flat? With milk, we don’t want the latter.

Body is influenced by again – coffee varietal, processing method, roast level and method of extraction. Which brew method has greater body? A well extracted espresso has great body (due to high coffee to water ratio & pressure used during extraction) and hence Espresso & Milk is a match made in heaven! Your cappuccino, macchiato, cortado or flat white are espresso + milk made using different espresso to milk ratios and milk frothing/steaming techniques.

