Gourmet Coffee Corner

If you’ve ordered a gourmet coffee drink from a large chain retailer recently, you may have noted the portion sizes. Beverage sizes are generous to say the least at shops such as Starbuck’s and Dunkin Donuts. Unfortunately, when baristas fix customers a big, bulky cappuccino, they’re sacrificing serious quality. Americans aren’t always eager to accept that less is more, but in this case the point is indisputable.

Europeans drink their cappuccino – a blend of espresso, hot milk and steamed milk foam – in 6-ounce servings. Domestic chains tend to up the by serving 12- or even 20-ounce versions. Large cappuccinos fail because of the frothy milk foam that’s supposed to top the beverage – it simply can’t be produced in large quantities. In order to create a drink with the perfect balance of espresso and milk, you’d be best served using your own cappuccino maker.

As any barista would tell you, microfoam is the signature part of any successful cappuccino. This layer of foam is created when small bubbles are introduced into the milk, bringing out its sweetness and creating a soft, fluffy texture. These are among the most difficult drinks to make at home, but with a bit of practice you’ll be serving cappuccinos to friends and family members in no time.