Insulated, Double-walled, Glass Cups Are Best

What is the best cup for a flat white or any other espresso-based drink, such as a latte or a cappuccino? 

 

For me, the answer is easy: an insulated, double-walled, glass cup. Beautiful to the eye with a good feel in the hand.

 

Serve your espresso-based milk drinks in a heavy ceramic mug and your drinks immediately begin to cool.

 

Insulated, double-walled, glass cups—with or without handles—prevent rapid cooling. Another plus, these cups stay cool to the touch even when preheated. I like to fill my cups with water and then heat the water in the microwave while I grind and tamp the beans.

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The only downside to these cups is durability. Light glass cups are fragile. I know. Both my wife and I have already broken one. I tipped one over but my wife only tapped the rim and a small crack appeared. I have heard others complain about the cost but I find stores like Homesense, Marshalls and Winners offer a good selection at excellent prices.

 

Insulated glass cups are practical and nice looking. The coffee appears to almost float in a clear cup. The espresso and the thin layers of crema and foamed milk are clearly visible. Unlike some plastic mugs, glass cups do not impart off flavours.

 

For me, preheated, double-walled glass cups are the best. Love 'em.  

Making good latte on the cheap.

It just occurred to me: I have never met a latte I didn't like. Strong coffee smoothed out with lots of heated milk, what could go wrong. Café connoisseurs would say "lots". Me -- a simple espresso drinker -- I would say "very little".

My ignorance encourages a broad tolerance range. For instance, if the coffee is too bitter, I am quick to add a little sugar. I expect to make adjustments. Hey, that's why there is half and half on the table. I see flexibility as a strength.

The connoisseur has more refined expectations. Connoisseurs are more attuned to noticing subtle defects -- subtle to me but not to them. Vary the bean quality, extraction and milk texturing and risk offending the delicate palate of the connoisseur.

When I bought my wife an espresso machine for Christmas, I over bought. I knew nothing about espresso, latte, flat whites or cappuccinos. I turned to the experts. This was a big mistake. The Breville Barista Touch espresso machine was frequently suggested, accompanied by the claim that the approximate price of $1500 was a bargain.

I decided to consult ChatGPT. Wow! The AI program made complete sense and if I had followed its advice I could have saved more than a thousand dollars! Let me quote ChatGPT.

The simplest beginner setup for making excellent espresso drinks is:

• Bialetti Moka Pot ($50 at Canadian Tire)
• Baratza Encore Black Coffee Grinder ($200) or OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($150) - Both available at Crate and Barrel
• Handheld Milk Frother (approximately $25 - $35)
• Good Whole Beans ($20)

Total cost: roughly $250 - $300 with espresso quality rivaling many cafés.

 

For brewing simply great coffee, substitute the AeroPress, $53 at Canadian Tire, for the Bialetti Moka Pot.

 

As a senior couple with more time on our hands than money, going the moka pot route is truly appealing.