Want to recreate the delicious aroma of Starbucks coffee at home? You probably already have everything you need in the kitchen. Follow these simple tips and you'll feel like you're in one of the famous chain's cafes.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting started with Starbucks' Four Fundamentals
Step 1. Measure the coffee and water in the right proportions
In Starbucks coffee shops, two tablespoons or 10g of ground coffee are used for 180ml of water.
According to a company employee, using a quantity of coffee lower than that indicated will make the drink over-extracted or excessively sour. On the other hand, using too much coffee will result in an under-extracted drink, which will prevent you from taking full advantage of the flavor of the blend
Step 2. Choose a suitable grind
To perform this step, you need to grind the coffee at home. If you want the drink to taste like an authentic Starbucks product, don't buy pre-ground coffee. Grind it at home just before preparing it to have an optimal result and preserve the freshness of the coffee.
- The thickness of the granules must vary depending on the coffee preparation technique (see the second part of the article). The pour over extraction method requires finely ground coffee (with a consistency similar to that of granulated sugar). If you use an American coffee maker, it is better to opt for a medium grind (with granules with a consistency similar to that of sea salt). A plunger coffee maker, on the other hand, requires granules subjected to a coarse grinding process.
- Over-extracted coffee tends to have a much worse taste than coarser, under-extracted coffee. Consequently, when in doubt, opt for a coarse grind or under-extraction process.
- To make sure that the flavor is the same as that of Starbucks coffee, you could use one of the blends sold in the chain's coffee shops.
Step 3. Use good quality water
It may seem nonsense, but in reality not all types of water are created equal. To prepare a coffee that can compete with Starbucks quality, always use filtered, impurity-free water. Also, be sure to heat it until it reaches a temperature of 90-95 ° C, so just before it comes to a boil.
Step 4. Use fresh coffee
As stated in Step 3, it is important to use fresh coffee. This means that you need to grind it just before preparing it. Also consider that the beans should be kept in an airtight container.
Make sure you don't keep your coffee in the fridge or freezer, not even using an airtight container. Another Starbucks employee argues that low temperatures are the enemy of good coffee. In fact, during storage in the fridge or freezer, moisture develops, which compromises the flavor of the beans
Part 2 of 3: Choosing an Extraction Method
Step 1. Select the extraction method that best suits your needs
Now that you've learned the most important principles for making Starbucks-style coffee, it's time to choose an extraction mode. The famous coffee shop generally uses three tools (technically there are four, but two of them are simply variations of the same procedure). Which ones are they? Plunger coffee maker, American coffee maker and pour over filter (which allows you to prepare both hot and cold coffee).
Step 2. Use a plunger or French coffee maker
This is the most recommended extraction method ever by coffee experts, as it is believed to be the most effective for best preserving the aromatic profile of the beans.
- The plunger coffee maker requires a coarse grind, so make sure the granules are similar in size to sea salt.
- Put the granules in the coffee maker, then pour hot water into them (remember that the temperature should be 90-95 ° C) making sure to soak them completely.
- Put the plunger back into the pot, but wait for four minutes before pressing it down so that the extraction process can take place properly. With the plunger pressed down, serve the coffee.
Step 3. Use an American coffee maker
Perhaps this is the most practical extraction method ever. In fact, it allows you to prepare several cups of coffee with a single extraction and the procedure is fast. Using the right grinding technique, good quality beans and purified water, it is possible to prepare a coffee that rivals that of the plunger coffee maker.
- If you use flat bottom filters, be sure to opt for a medium grind, with sea salt-like granules (such as those required by the plunger coffee maker). Instead, cone-shaped filters are preferred for a finer grind, similar in texture to granulated sugar.
- After grinding the coffee, measure it (two tablespoons for 180ml of water) and press the button to start the machine.
- While it is a practical method, only prepare the amount of coffee you intend to serve right away to obtain a quality equal to that of Starbucks. Do not reheat it afterwards, otherwise the flavor will lose its intensity.
Step 4. Use the pour-over method
Although less well known, this Starbucks method offers equally good results and allows you to make both hot and cold coffee. While it only allows you to make one cup at a time, it will undoubtedly be worth it.
- Boil the water keeping in mind the proportions indicated above (two tablespoons of coffee for 180 ml of water), but with a small modification. In fact, calculate a little more boiling water to moisten the filter.
- Bring the water to a boil and moisten the filter (use a cone-shaped paper one), finely grind the coffee. Make sure you get a result similar to that of the granules typically used for the cone-shaped filters of the American coffee maker. The consistency should be reminiscent of that of granulated sugar.
- After measuring the coffee, fix the filter on a glass container. Pour the hot water over the granules, half-filling the filter. At this point, stop to let the coffee infuse so that it becomes full-bodied and develops an intense taste.
- After the break, pour the rest of the water by drawing small circles to make it evenly distributed. It should take about three minutes to complete the extraction.
- To make cold coffee, follow the same procedure. The only thing you need to do is put some ice in the bottom of the cup before pouring the coffee. Let the drink cool and serve it.
Part 3 of 3: Serve the Coffee
Step 1. Serve the coffee after preparation
Once you have prepared it following Starbucks principles and using one of the recommended extraction methods, pour it into a cup. To experience the experience in an even more authentic way, use a glass with the Starbucks logo. You can add a card band to avoid getting burned and even misspelling your name!
Step 2. Flavor the coffee
If you wish, you can add flavored syrup and / or an artificial or natural sweetener. Stir in the coffee. To best recreate the experience, get a handful of sugar sachets when you have the opportunity to go to Starbucks and then use them when making coffee at home.
Do you prefer black coffee? Then skip this step
Step 3. Add milk or coffee cream and mix
Use the amount you want based on the result you want to achieve.
There are no exact doses of milk or cream. This step depends entirely on your personal taste, both when ordering a coffee from Starbucks and when preparing it at home
Step 4. Let it cool down a bit before starting to savor it
Advice
- If you want to try more elaborate drinks, you must instead learn the techniques to implement to make espresso, mocha latte, and other Starbucks-style drinks.
- Prepare only the coffee you intend to serve at the moment. Avoid reheating it afterwards.
