Description
Have you ever wondered about a creamier version of a latte? Breve coffee surely makes you smile. Breve coffee is simply espresso intertwined with steamed half-and-half milk to make a deliciously creamy and sweet cup of joe. The combination produces a light yet creamy Latte-like drink with a velvety texture and luxurious feel.
What is Breve Coffee?
Breve coffee is an espresso-based drink that uses a steamed half-and-half swirl in espresso shots, much more like a café latte. It has many identity names like caffè breve, breve latte, or simply breve. First, it originated in America (the Pacific Northwest, known for its coffee culture) and has roots in Italy as it is slightly different from the Italian Latte. We can say that the breve latte is the American version of the classic Italian caffè latte. The Breve latte has a creamy, fluffy, velvety texture from microfoam packed with many heavenly flavors.
Ingredients
- Single shot espresso
- 2 ounces half-and-half
Instructions
Making of breve coffee is categorized into three parts:
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Pull Out Espresso: The first step is to use an espresso machine to make a single or double shot of espresso with dark roast, finely ground arabica beans. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can make the espresso shots with an AeroPress, Moka pot, French press, or Wacaco Picopresso.
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Steam or Froth Half-and-half: Steam the half-and-half until it is light and foamy. The steamed half-and-half should reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You can froth with a Handheld frother, French press, Pump frother, or balloon whisk over the stovetop (without boiling). The best method is to steam the milk with a wand, as the steam injected into the half-and-half creates a silky, smooth microfoam on top.
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Couple the Espresso and Half-and-Half: The most exciting final step is to couple the espresso and half-and-half. Pour the steamed half-and-half over the espresso while holding the microfoam with a spoon. Add the microfoam on top, and enjoy!
Notes
- The choice of espresso coffee beans is all yours. I am using dark roast arabica beans that are finely ground to give my coffee a strong flavor. Medium roast beans go well in making the espresso for lighter notes. You can also use strong-brewed coffee in place of espresso.
- If you aren’t a fan of caffeinated coffee, you can use decaffeinated espresso to make the brew. Decaf or decaffeinated coffee has most of the caffeine removed.
- Espresso extraction time may differ depending on the choice of beans. In most cases, it takes 25-30 seconds, but you can experiment with different extracting times to achieve your desired level.
- The temperature while steaming half-and-half is most important. The best temperature to steam your half-and-half is around 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are steaming the half-and-half on the stovetop using a whisk, then you should avoid it reaching the boiling temperature as it curdles when it reaches that point. Steam or froth it warm.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-ounce drink
- Calories: 79
- Sugar: 0.1g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.3g
- Carbohydrates: 2.6g
- Protein: 1.8g
- Cholesterol: 22mg