Tag Archives: coffee

How to make a yummy latte at home

We’re pretty serious about our coffee around here. Have you ever seen our “Coffee all Day” Pinterest page?

With the shift into fall and October, we’re declaring it officially latte season!

The cool thing is that you don’t need any fancy tools to make a yummy latte right at home. You can use your regular coffee maker and your microwave to whip one up.

And just think, with all the money you save not buying expensive coffee house drinks, you can splurge on a new pair of PJs or two, right?!

Here’s how to make a delicious home made latte:

1. Brew the Coffee.

If you have an espresso machine or pot, by all means use it. If not, brew some strong coffee with your basic drip coffee maker.

2. Froth & Steam the Milk.

Take a mason jar and fill it halfway with milk. Put the top on and shake vigorously for about a minute. The idea is to create more volume to the milk. Take the cover off the jar and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

3. Make your latte!

Pour the warm milk into your favorite mug, as much as you like. If you want to add a flavor syrup – pumpkin spice, vanilla – add it now to your milk and stir gently. Last, add the espresso or strong coffee.

And there you have it, an at-home latte. Drink & enjoy!

Photo Credit: Jayson Leow via Compfight cc

Sources:

https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/beverages/make-latte-at-home

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-latte-without-an-espresso-machine-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-211090

5 Happy Things

1. Pajamas. They do indeed make us very happy, especially putting them on at the end of a long, tired day.

2. This amusing post – How to Carry Off Pyjamas from Mr. Porter. We love that he shares our belief that comfort at the end of the day is important. What’s more he argues that men’s pajamas should be as” elegant as a good suit”, because after all, “the people who see you in your loungewear are the people whose opinions really count – wives, girlfriends, partners and children.” Sounds like a men’s pajama revolution!

3. Coffee all day. We feel so strongly that we’ve dedicated a Pinterest board to it.

4. Holiday Spirit. Yep, The Pajama Company headquarters is already embracing the spirit of the season. We’re playing our Christmas music favorites and check out our logo decked out in his Santa hat!

5. Frog Wisdom. Feeling inspired by Kermit the Frog’s wise words…”Life’s like a movie. Write your own ending.”

What’s making you feel good today? Tell us in the comments below!

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee

What’s your morning ritual? Coffee in your pajamas can be one of the best ways to start your day – gently transitioning between sleep and awake. It seems that the key is to brewing a delicious cup is part art, part science.

Here’s how to make the perfect cup…

The Water

The quality of the water you use plays a big part in the flavor of your coffee. Many modern coffee makers have built-in filters. But if you’re using a pour-over method or an older coffee maker, be sure you are using fresh water that’s free of impurities – either from a filter system like Brita or a quality bottled water.  And here’s another tip on your water – make sure you use cold water for the best brew!

The Coffee

If you can buy a locally roasted coffee, this is an excellent option because it retains its flavor longer than a coffee roasted somewhere else and transported to you. Basically the clock starts ticking on freshness long before your coffee reaches your counter top.  And of course, it’s always great to support local businesses! Check around your local area and see what’s available. You can also buy directly from roasters online here.

The best scenario for the freshest taste, is to grind your coffee beans just before you brew.  There are two types of grinders – blade and burr.  Burr grinders are the best because they grind the coffee beans evenly, giving you the richest flavor.  You can read more about grinders here.  If you don’t have a grinder at home, you can always buy whole bean coffee and grind it up in the store before you bring it home. It won’t be as fresh as grinding at home, but it is a fresher option than coffee that comes to the store already ground. To keep the beans fresh, store them in an airtight container.

How fine you should grind your beans depends on what brewing technique you use.  You can learn all about that here.  The basic measurement is to use 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water.  But we say, experiment!  If you like a strong cup, you try using a little more coffee. You can always add hot water if it comes out too strong.

The Brewing Technique

There are several different methods to make coffee – a traditional coffee brewer, coffee press, and the pour-over method where you use a filter and brew directly into a cup or carafe. Traditional brewers work great, but its always fun to brew some Italian espresso on occasion or use a French press for variety!

Check out food guru Alton Brown’s “True Brew” recipe with some more helpful tips on creating create good coffee!

How do you make your coffee?  Do you have a favorite brewing method or brand of coffee?Please share with us in the comments below!

Photo Credit: Shereen M via Compfightcc