truthruthless Senior Member Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Wed Aug 27, 2008, 1:25pm Subject: In search of: recipes for espresso-based drinks containing COCONUT MILK...
Hello all,
I'm a barista at a small coffee shop here in Chapel Hill, NC. I've traveled extensively and have had coffee/espresso from Miami to San Diego.
I'm looking for recipes for espresso-based drinks (hot) that call for coconut milk. I've had something a shop nearby called a "Cubano" that contained coconut milk, but I know that a true cubano isnt a latte-style drink.
Please post your recipes that use coconut milk and espresso - I truly appreciate it!
Breeze Senior Member Joined: 3 Dec 2006 Posts: 350 Location: St. Croix, V.I. Expertise: Pro Roaster
Espresso: Pasquini Livia S Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Ford Ranger Drip: TechniVorm Roaster: Toper 1 kilo
Posted Thu Aug 28, 2008, 10:40am Subject: Re: In search of: recipes for espresso-based drinks containing COCONUT MILK...
Where I live, coconut milk, cream and water are used extensively. (Don't ask me about the local appreciation for coconut water and warm Gordon's Gin) Water is the liquid found in a green coconut, is clear and not very sweet but with a pleasant taste, milk is made from the coconut meat which is ground and strained and cream is made by allowing the milk to settle and scooping the higher fat cream from the surface of the liquid.
I've never had coconut milk in a coffee drink and there would be very few options for expresso drinks. You could add it to an expresso shot, not likely, or to an Americano just as one would add cream if they were going to do so.
The other option would be to steam the coconut milk, which can be done, but if you push it too hard it separates which would not be desirable in a coffee drink. One could concoct a milk drink of sorts with pure coconut milk, or a combination of cow's milk and coconut milk steamed, which might froth better than pure coconut milk which I think would not froth particularly well.
I suppose one could also construct a Pina Colada type smoothee and add shot (s) for a cold beverage which might be good. A Pina has pineapple which I don't think would be coffee friendly so I'd omit that from the blend. The coconut in a pina is not coconut milk, water or cream, it is a canned concoction of coconut milk and I think, about 50% sugar!
Oh yes....a Cubano is a press sandwich made from roast pork, cheese and slice pickle. A "Cuban" when referred to as coffee is a shot pulled either with the sugar in the filter or a shot with a LOT of sugar in the short cup. The traditional "Cuban" cup is about the size of a Nyquil cap, plastic and disposable.
When you steam full-fat coconut milk, it's really thick stuff. So it spins slowly in the pitcher, and the result is pretty dang sticky and gelatinous. If I remember correctly, it has a sticky, gooey texture in the mouth. I tried pouring the result into a shot of espresso, and I remember thinking that the resulting flavor just didn't make any sense. Not terrible, but not really meant for each other. But, I am much better at making espresso now, so I should try it again. I agree with Breeze that a concoction of coconut milk and cow's milk, or the like, might yield better results. However, when I added a bunch of cocoa powder to the steamed coconut milk, I must say it made one bada$$ hot chocolate. Maybe a mocha would be the way to go, with the chocolate bridging the gap between coconut and coffee.
PeterGrandstaff Senior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 19 Location: Hillsborough, NC Expertise: Pro Roaster
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia, La Cimbali... Grinder: Solis Maestro Conical Burr... Drip: Melitta Pourover Roaster: Loring Smart Roast, Coffee...
Posted Fri Aug 29, 2008, 8:57am Subject: Re: In search of: recipes for espresso-based drinks containing COCONUT MILK...
well, just replied to this on another, unanswered thread. Sorry for the cross-posting, but here's my post again:
Small world, what coffee shop do you work for here in Chapel Hill, NC? Our company, Joe Van Gogh, operates the Cup A Joe coffee shops in Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough.
Anyhow, awhile back one of our store managers, Russ, came up with a drink using coconut milk that he called the Thai Spiced Cappuccino. He has given me permission to share his recipe here.
First, create a mixture of coconut milk, ground ginger, and honey. It should be sort of paste-like.
Then, make yourself a cappuccino and add a shot of your paste as you would a flavored syrup, stir and enjoy. I hear it's mighty good with a soy cappuccino as well.
Sorry for the lack of details on proportions, but since you're in the area you could always drop by Joe Van Gogh on Broad Street in Durham and ask the creator, Russ. He's the manager of that store, and is there weekdays.
Cheers, and enjoy!
Peter Grandstaff Coffee Roaster & IT Guru, Joe Van Gogh, Inc. www.joevangogh.com
truthruthless Senior Member Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Expertise: Pro Barista
Posted Fri Aug 29, 2008, 4:36pm Subject: Re: In search of: recipes for espresso-based drinks containing COCONUT MILK...
PeterGrandstaff Said:
Small world, what coffee shop do you work for here in Chapel Hill, NC? Our company, Joe Van Gogh, operates the Cup A Joe coffee shops in Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough.
Hey - I just started working at That Coffee Place, which as you may know, exclusively brews and sells Joe Van Gogh coffees, I'm happy to say. In fact, I've had the pleasure of meeting Robbie a number of times when he has delivered your coffee to the shop!
Thanks for sharing that recipe - I'm going to give that a try later this week after the holiday - I'll post my results here.
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