A café au lait or café français is a popular French coffee beverage made with hot coffee and steamed milk, often served in a large bowl-shaped cup. It is a classic breakfast drink, often enjoyed with a croissant or other pastries. Café au lait can be made with different types of coffee, but a dark roast is typically used for its bold flavor. The coffee is brewed strong and then combined with the steamed milk, which creates a rich and creamy texture. The ratio of coffee to milk can be adjusted to taste, but a good starting point is equal parts of each. Café au lait can be enjoyed hot or iced, and it can be flavored with a variety of syrups or spices, such as vanilla, cinnamon, or nutmeg.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
FRENCH COFFEE (CAFFE FRANCAIS)
A great treat from France! For a twist, you add the topping before the coffee. The dollops of freshly whipped sweetened cream will rise through the coffee for a floating cloud effect. Adapted from About.com. Cook time is time to brew coffee.
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Beverages
Time 10m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Beat the cream until it's rich and fluffy, with soft peaks (or use already whipped cream from a can).
- Mix in the powdered sugar, and continue to beat until you have stiff peaks.
- Split whipped cream between 2 mugs.
- Add vanilla to the hot coffee, then pour over cream.
- Serve right away, Don't stir!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 241, Fat 22, SaturatedFat 13.7, Cholesterol 81.5, Sodium 24.6, Carbohydrate 10, Sugar 7.5, Protein 1.4
FRENCH PRESS COFFEE
Once you get the hang of using it, a French press delivers consistent results and a heavier-bodied brew. Plus it makes your morning coffee ritual much more enjoyable. There are a few prerequisites: Coffee that is too finely ground will make your final product murky and give it an oily sheen and bitter flavor. If you do not have a coffee grinder, ask the person in the coffee section of the grocery store or your local coffee shop to grind the beans for French press. Water temperature also matters-too hot and it can cause the brew to taste burnt. How long to let it steep is subjective so experiment to find your own target time.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories beverage
Time 10m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- Bring a kettle of water to boil. Pour the water into a 4- to 8-cup French coffee press to warm it while you grind your beans. Refill the kettle with 2 cups water and return to a boil.
- Grind the beans in a coffee grinder on the coarse setting; the ground coffee should resemble coarse sugar or sand. Coffee that is too finely ground will make your final product murky and give it an oily sheen and bitter flavor.
- Once the kettle comes to a boil, remove from the heat and let sit 30 seconds to reach the optimal temperature for French press. If it's too hot, it can cause the brew to taste burnt.
- Pour the hot water out of the French press. Put the measures coffee in the bottom. And 1 cup of the hot water, put on the top (but don't press) and let sit 1 minute.
- After 1 minute, gently stir with the handle of a wooden spoon to break up the layer of coffee on top. Pour in the remaining 1 cup hot water. Put the top on (but don't press) and let sit for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee. Taste is subjective, so experiment to find your own target time.
- Slowly push the plunger down to press the coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot. As a rule of thumb, if it is very difficult to press, your coffee is probably ground too fine. If it glides right down with no resistance, your grind is probably too coarse. There is a sweet spot of resistance somewhere in the middle.
- Serve right away with milk and sweetener if using. If you aren't sharing the pot and want to wait to have a second cup, it's best to transfer the coffee to a thermos or carafe. If you leave it in the press, it will continue to brew and can become too strong or bitter.
FRENCH VANILLA CAFE MIX
To Prepare: Place 2 (or more)teaspoon of dry Cafe Vienna into a coffee cup. Add hot water to fill up the cup (about 3/4 cup hot water). Stir and serve.
Provided by Poppy
Categories Beverages
Time 10m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Measure all of the ingredients in a clean dry bowl.
- Use a fork or a whisk to combine everything together, so it's all evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to a pretty jar, resealable container, or a zip lock bag.
- Store on the pantry shelf.
- This makes a good gift, especially in the winter time.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 98.9, Fat 4.2, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 10.3, Sodium 47.2, Carbohydrate 12.3, Sugar 11.8, Protein 3.2
CAFE FRANCAIS (FRENCH COFFEE) RECIPE
Provided by ArmySister
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a lemon-rimmed glass dipped in sugar, add cognac, liqueur & coffee. Add cloves and stir with cinnamon stick. Top with whipped cream.
Tips for Brewing the Perfect French Coffee
- Use freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans. This will ensure that your coffee has the best possible flavor.
- Grind your coffee beans just before brewing. This will help to preserve the coffee's flavor and aroma.
- Use the correct amount of coffee. Generally, you should use about 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water.
- Use filtered or bottled water. This will help to remove impurities from the water that can affect the taste of your coffee.
- Brew your coffee at the correct temperature. The ideal brewing temperature for coffee is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Steep your coffee for the correct amount of time. Generally, you should steep your coffee for about 4 minutes.
- Serve your coffee immediately. Coffee is best enjoyed fresh, so don't let it sit around for too long.
Conclusion
French coffee is a delicious and versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you prefer it black, with milk or sugar, or flavored with syrups or spices, there's a French coffee recipe out there for everyone. So next time you're looking for a new way to enjoy your coffee, try one of the recipes from this article. You won't be disappointed!
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