How to Make Great Coffee at Home, On A Budget

The United Kingdom alone drinks about 95 million cups of coffee in a day. Let's all accept it, coffee is the guilty pleasure of most adults. We might even make high-street coffee shops our second homes! However, going out to buy coffee each time we wish to smell the rich aroma isn't a very feasible proposal, especially financially. According to a report, the UK spends about £4 billion on high-street coffee and an average adult drinks at least 3 cups of coffee in a day in the UK. Making coffee at home is a good alternative. But, the coffee made at home doesn't match the barista's taste, right? Absolutely not! If anything we can make it taste better than the barista! Here are some simple tips to make the barista style coffee at home and yes, on a budget! (Psst… wait for the bonus tip in the end)

Getting the best barista style coffee at home using these 6 easy tips!

1. Start with Fresh, High-Quality Coffee Beans

First things first, we need good coffee beans to achieve the barista style coffee. Choose beans that suit your taste preferences, whether it's a single-origin espresso or a blend specifically crafted for milk-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, decaf or flavoured coffee. 

1. Grind your coffee finely 

We are talking about making barista style coffee at home but on a budget, hence investing in an electric grinder isn't feasible. Not to worry, you can use the following as an alternative to an electric grinder: 

• Blender
• Food processor
• Rolling pin
• Pestle and Mortar
• A hand grinder 

Grind your coffee beans just before brewing to preserve their freshness and flavour. When you grind the beans into smaller particles, it enlarges the surface area, facilitating faster brewing and ensuring an even extraction of the delightful flavours present in the coffee.

1. Select the Right Brewing Method

Yes, we are coffee enthusiasts, but not necessarily experts, we might know what coffee suits our taste buds but not the intricacies of making them right. However, selecting the right brewing method for different kinds of coffee is essentially important to bring out the best in it. 

If a coffee has light and vibrant flavours, it's best to use a brewing method that brings out the clarity of those flavours. For more subtle tastes, like those found in a pour-over like the Kalita or a Chemex, these methods work well. If the coffee is strong and full-bodied, a French press or even espresso might be better.

Here's a simple tip: if the coffee tastes like fruity lemonade, it won't match well with a method that makes coffee like hot chocolate. And vice versa. If the brewing method gives you thin, tea-like coffee, it won't go well with richer, dark chocolate flavours.

1. Make sure you have all the ingredients ready

Remember, you dear coffee beans can be a maximum of a week old. Anything older than 7-8 days will release a stale smell and also will not serve the purpose of your perfect cup of coffee. 

Secondly, you need to get your grinding game on point. You cannot undergrind your coffee, it will make your coffee taste salty and acidic. However, on the other hand, overgrinding will make it taste unnecessarily bitter. 

Finally, prepare the perfect espresso shot with the correct grinding technique and perfect pressure as that's the main ingredient of your coffee

1. Steam and Froth Milk Like a Pro

We are almost there, a little more to go. We need a good steaming and frothing of the milk for the barista like coffee at home. 

Here's a simple way to froth milk: pour it into a saucepan and heat it gently on the stove. Use a whisk to froth it up—you'll need to whisk vigorously. 

Another option is using a microwave: put milk in a lidded container and shake it well before heating. You can also heat the milk in the microwave and then pour it back and forth between two containers to create bubbles. Avoid using a blender as it can make a mess. Stick with a handheld whisk for best results!

1. Pour and Serve with Style

Pour the steamed milk over the espresso shot in a slow, steady stream to create latte art or a layered effect in drinks like cappuccinos. Experiment with different pouring techniques and patterns to enhance the visual appeal of your coffee creations.Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade barista-style coffee at home and on a budget!

Bonus tip: Practice and Refine Your Technique

Don't be afraid to experiment with different coffee beans, grind sizes, and brewing methods to find the perfect combination for your taste preferences. Practise your espresso extraction and milk frothing techniques regularly to improve consistency and quality in your barista-style coffee at home.

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