The Culinary Works

Don’t you love the sound of the milk steaming at your local coffee shop? And the smell of the espresso as it brews! Something about that process and the way it tastes and feels in my mouth is REQUIRED, it’s my ritual and I have enjoyed it for many years. Every morning, after sleeping until the last possible second of course, I get ready for whatever the day has in store for me. Before I leave the house, I stop, gather my ingredients and make myself a super yummy, warm, frothy Espresso drink. My favorite is the White Mocha!

A few years ago, I realized I was spending approximately $150, or more, per month at the coffee shop, not to mention the time I spent waiting in line (time = money) and the gas it took to drive the few extra blocks to get there. That adds up to $1,800 per year! Holy COW!! Plus, getting up and getting dressed to make my coffee trip on weekends was a hassle when what I wanted to do was lounge around and enjoy a lazy morning. Oddly enough, it wasn ’t until that realization that I thought of buying my own espresso machine!

I had made many espresso drinks before I bought my own, having worked in restaurants that had the machines, it was always my first stop before starting the days prep-work. I wondered though, was it really worth making them at home? Here is what I found when I got out the calculator.

Here is how the cost breaks down per day:

• Cup & Lid .25
• High Grade Espresso .45
• Soy Milk .41
• White Chocolate .29

TOTAL $1.40

HINT: To determine the cost you simply divide the price of the package by the number of servings you will get from the package. ($3.29 half gallon of milk has 8 – 8oz servings. 3.29/8 = 41.) Price divided by quantity…the most common calculation any chef will use to calculate the cost per serving.

I buy insulated paper coffee cups and lids by the ‘sleeve’ (a long tube wrapped in plastic) at Smart & Final, but you can also get them at the big warehouse stores. This is the cheapest way to get them. You can find small packages of cups and lids at discount stores or even the supermarket, but it’s a bit more pricey. This allows me the luxury of snuggling my coffee at my own pace, while I drive to work and it stays nice and hot. I do treat myself and use high end Italian Espresso, Illy is my favorite…but you can shop sales or buy bulk, IF you promise to find one you really enjoy.

That my friends, saves me $108.00 per month, almost $1,300 per year!! The espresso machine cost a couple hundred bucks, but as you can see, it paid for itself in the first two months. As far as the machine, buy what you can afford but know that if you, like me, are going to use it every day spending a few extra bucks on a good brand that will last, one that has a decent sized water tank and is easy to clean is a good investment.

Now for the most important part, the FLAVOR. Not to toot my own barista horn but the mochas and drinks I make taste MUCH better and are always consistent, hot, frothy and I NEVER have to wait in line or drive anywhere to get one. I used to spend 30 minutes and this takes less than 10. Here is how simple it is;

Mocha:

• 2-3 Tablespoons White or Milk Chocolate Chips
• 8-10 oz Milk
• 2 – 2oz shots of espresso

Follow the machines instructions to prepare the espresso shots. While it ’s brewing, put the chocolate chips in the cup and pour in just enough milk to cover them. Microwave them for 25-30 seconds and stir. You should have a smooth chocolate sauce in the cup. While stirring, pour in the rest of your milk. Follow the machines directions to steam the milk. Add the espresso and stir. You can always adjust up or down the amount of chocolate to suit your tastes.

From here, you could add a tablespoon of caramel syrup and have a White Chocolate Caramel Mocha. OR, if you make it with milk chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of hazelnut syrup and have Hazelnut Mocha. Remember all those fancy seasonal mochas from Starbucks, peppermint or Valencia orange? It’s all a matter of adding a splash of the syrup you can easily find when shopping. You could leave out the chocolate and syrup all together and have a Latte, or add some syrup for a flavored Latte. It’s really that simple.

Not only will you save yourself some serious cash, but you can enjoy a luxurious coffee drink right from your own kitchen. I hope you will try it, save some money and start your own morning ritual. I promise you, the sound of steaming milk in the morning and that first gulp of sweet, hot, bitter, frothy goodness always starts the day off right!