You won't be surprised to hear that we love International Coffee Day (ITC) at Cafe2U. An occasion designed to celebrate and promote the joys of our favourite drink, ITC was launched in Milan in 2015 by the International Coffee Organisation and has since become one of the most important days on the coffee-drinker's calendar.
How you celebrate is up to you but, let's be honest, it's definitely going to involve a few cups of the black stuff. But whether you prefer a standard latte, a sweet mocha or a punchy espresso, how much do you know about your coffee of choice? And how do you make it properly (ie according to baristas)?
Let's find out…
How do you steam milk?
Before we start, one quick note: most of these recipes require steamed milk. To make it, you can either use a steamer wand, a French press or a coffee machine with a steamer attachment. If you don't have any of these, simply place the milk in a jar with a lid, shake until frothy then microwave uncovered for 30 seconds.
Espresso
Ah, the espresso. Where would we be without you?
As the base for several other coffee drinks, including lattes and cappuccinos, the espresso is the most versatile coffee in the world and is the most common type of coffee in southern Europe, particularly in Italy, Spain and much of France.
Espressos are made by forcing nearly boiling water through finely-ground coffee beans, a technique that was perfected by Angelo Moriondo in Italy in 1884, when he developed the world's first coffee machine that controlled the supply of steam and water separately through the coffee.
Today, many coffee lovers have their own espresso machines at home, meaning making an espresso has never been simpler - just pop a pod in your machine and let it do all the work for you. For those without an espresso machine, instant espresso is also readily available; just combine a teaspoon of the coffee with ¼ cup of hot water, stir and enjoy.
Latte
The UK's favourite coffee is a straightforward combination of espresso coffee and steamed milk, with the term 'latte' coming from the Italian 'caffè latte', which literally means 'coffee and milk'. Estimates suggest Europeans began mixing coffee and milk in the 17th century, but it wasn't until the latter part of the 19th century that the drink started to become a worldwide sensation.
To make a coffee shop-quality latte at home, make around 35ml of espresso and pour it into a cup. Next, steam 250ml of milk until it has 2-3cm of foam on top and pour it steadily on top of the coffee so the steamed milk lies on the coffee with the foamed milk on top of that.
Cappuccino
Another staple of the coffee world and one of the most frequently ordered, the cappuccino originated in Italy and was influenced by the Austrian 'Kapuziner', which was made with whipped cream and various spices.
The drink spread to Italy in the early 20th century, where the recipe was altered and perfected, resulting in the cappuccino we know and love today, which comprises a shot of espresso with both steamed and foamed milk. Cappuccinos are essentially lattes with less steamed milk and more foam.
Making your own cappuccino at home is quick and easy. Simply heat a cup of milk in a saucepan over a medium heat until it bubbles but before it boils, then remove the pan from the heat and whip the milk with an electric whisk until it has 4-6cm of foam on top. Finally, make some espresso coffee, carefully pour the milk on top and enjoy!
Americano
A simple combination of an espresso and hot water, the Americano was born in Italy during World War II, when American G.I.s stationed there began mixing their espressos with hot water to dilute them to the strength to which they were accustomed back home. This is also the origin of the name, with 'Americano' literally meaning 'American'.
Making your own Americano couldn't be simpler - just make an espresso and top it up with hot water to taste (or add the water first and the coffee second if you're feeling adventurous).
Mocha
Also known as a mocaccino, the mocha is essentially a latte with added chocolate. Its name is derived from the city of Mocha in Yemen, which was the centre of the early coffee trade and home to the sought-after Moka coffee bean from which the first mochas were brewed.
Particularly popular around Christmas thanks to the sweetness of the chocolate, mochas can also be made at home and enjoyed all year round. To make your own, start by brewing 35ml of espresso and pour into a cup, then add a teaspoon of drinking chocolate and mix until smooth. Next, steam 250ml of milk until it has 4-6cm of foam on top and pour steadily into the cup.
Why not celebrate International Coffee Day with Cafe2U?
Making a coffee at home is one of life's great pleasures but nothing beats a hot cup made by an expertly trained barista. If you'd like a top-quality coffee delivered to your work or fancy picking one up while you're out and about, check out our Cafe2U location map here and find out where your nearest van is right now - whether it’s for ITC or any other time!