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How to Make Espresso, Cappuccino and Other Coffee House Drinks
Rate it! Votes (1) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Photos: Mitch Mandell Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Coffee Drinks, by Michael Turback, (2008, Ten Speed Press)	Coffee Drinks

If you enjoy coffee house coffee and drinks you can save yourself a ton of bucks by investing once in a decent espresso machine once. This one important purchase will provide years of sipping enjoyment. It's also elegant and impressive to conclude special dinner parties by serving your guests espresso, cappuccino, latte or other coffee house favorites.

Below are some of the most popular espresso based coffee drinks and how to make them:

Espresso
A rich, thick coffee brewed by forcing water through very fine coffee grounds. A perfect cup of espresso will be rich and dark and topped with a thick layer of "crema." Despite the fact that its name implies dairy, crema on espresso has nothing whatsoever to do with actual cream or milk. Crema is the layer of foam that forms at the end of the espresso brewing process and can only be achieved by brewing with a high-pressure brewing method such as an espresso machine or moka pot.

Espresso Macchiato is a cup of espresso dolloped with a spoonful of the foam from steamed milk.

Cappuccino
Cappuccino (pictured at right) is a shot (or two or three) of espresso, mixed with steamed milk and topped with the a head of frothy foam from the steamed milk. Most espresso machines have a the capabilities of steaming milk, either with or without foam. Follow your machine's instructions. You are trying to achieve scalded (but never boiled) milk that is mixed generously with foam. For the proper consistency, the milk will have doubled in volume during the steaming process. Although it's not authentic Italian, Americans like to top their espressos with a dash of cinnamon.
Café Latte
a Latte (pictured left) is a cup of one part coffee to 3 parts heated or steamed milk (no foam).

Cafe Mocha
Add a squirt of chocolate syrup to the basic Cafe Latte recipe, then top with whipped cream, and you've got a delicious Cafe Mocha.

Latte Macchiato is a cup of steamed milk accented with a small dash of brewed espresso.

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