Americans love their coffee. Millions of people drink at least one cup of coffee per day and many get their caffeine fix with a specialty coffee drink.
Dairy milk is a great complement for any cup of coffee; its both a tasty addition and a way to add essential nutrients to your mug. Every type of dairy milk, whether lowfat, fat free or organic, contains nine essential nutrients, including high-quality protein. In fact, milk is the top food source for three of the four nutrients of concern, or the nutrients Americans, including children, are most lacking: calcium, potassium and vitamin D.
If you enjoy a morning cup of coffee, here are a few ways to create gourmet coffee drinks at home.
How to Make a Cafe au Lait
A cafe au lait is simply a strong-brewed coffee drink mixed with steamed milk. The best way to make one is to brew a dark-roast blend in a French press and mix with equal parts steamed milk.
There are a few easy ways to froth milk at home. Use an inexpensive milk frother or try this DIY tip: shake your favorite type of milk in a jar until it froths up. Remove the lid and microwave to desired temperature. Now youve got warm milk for your coffee and foam to top it off.
How to Make a Latte
Lattes are two parts milk to one part espresso. Starting your day with a morning latte is a wonderful way to enjoy the buzz of coffee plus milks nine essential nutrients, including eight grams of high-quality protein per eight ounces.
How to Make a Cappuccino
Another Italian coffee drink, the cappuccinos name comes from the Italian word for hood. A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. A dry cappuccino has more foam while a wet cappuccino is closer to a latte in consistency.
Whether you prefer a cappuccino, latte or cafe au lait, adding milk to your coffee is a delicious, nutritious complement to your coffee beverage of choice. From espresso to strong brewed coffee adding dairy milk only adds to the enjoyment. For more tips, tricks and recipes, visit milklife.com.
Spicy Latte
Servings: 1
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder or instant coffee granules
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ancho, chipotle or cayenne chile pepper
1 cup fat free milk
In serving mug, stir together espresso, cocoa, sugar, cinnamon and pepper. Stir in 2 tablespoons milk to make a paste.
In saucepan, heat remaining milk until very hot. Pour milk into mug and stir to blend with paste. Serve immediately.
Nutrition information per serving: 120 calories; 0.5 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 9 g protein; 22 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 105 mg sodium; 309 mg calcium (30% of daily value).
