Some friends around me only drink black coffee, and some people cannot accept the strong taste of black coffee and will not drink it unless it is milky. After they have been exposed to hand-brewed coffee or drip coffee, they still keep the habit of adding milk. However, such a habit is completely unacceptable in the eyes of some boutique coffee lovers. They never tire of reminding each other that milk cannot be added to hand-brewed coffee! Is this really the case?
The latte, cappuccino, flat white and other milk coffees in the coffee shop are all made with strong Italian espresso. After adding steamed milk, the coffee still tastes very strong, with a layer of brown foam on the surface, and paired with exquisite latte art, it is irresistible.
Compared with Italian espresso, hand-brewed coffee uses a relatively large amount of water and has a low concentration, making it more suitable for direct intake as black coffee. If you add milk, it will be further diluted. Although it does not affect the intake of caffeine, both coffee and milk are thin and bland, and the taste will be too "watery".
In addition, hand-brewed coffee is often made with single-origin coffee beans, which can taste the subtle and unique flavor of the origin and feel the different flavors brought by different processing methods and roasting degrees. Adding milk will most likely cover up these flavors, and you will lose a great pleasure in tasting hand-brewed coffee.
However, what kind of flavor and taste is suitable for you is ultimately up to you. Some hand-brewed coffees, including drip coffee, may not taste satisfactory for those who taste it for the first time or make it yourself. Whether it is because of the origin, or because of roasting and brewing, as long as you feel that it is too bitter, sour, or has any strange taste and is difficult to eat, adding some water or milk is a suitable and reasonable remedy. You can certainly give it more opportunities, or adjust it in other ways, but there is no need to challenge your taste buds and doubt your preferences.
Therefore, if the conditions are limited, and you only have hand-brewed or drip coffee, but you want a cup of milk coffee, you can consider these improvements: choose deeply roasted coffee beans; grind the coffee beans finer; use higher water temperature for extraction; adjust the powder-water ratio and use less water to extract coffee. Or you can also consider increasing the concentration of milk, such as using milk powder to mix thicker milk or adding it directly to coffee; using whipped cream or condensed milk instead of milk, or using the method of making ice bock to make condensed milk. Although the adjusted milk coffee is still very different from coffee shop lattes, it can also achieve a good balance in taste.
1. Improved taste:
The silky taste of milk combined with the rich aroma of hand-brewed coffee can create a richer and softer taste.
The sweetness of milk can neutralize the bitterness of coffee, making the overall taste of coffee more balanced.
2. Increase nutrition:
Milk is rich in nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, etc., and can increase the nutritional value of the overall drink when mixed with coffee.
Calcium, in particular, is essential for bone health, and caffeine in coffee may affect calcium absorption, but adding milk in moderation can partially compensate for this effect.
3. Relieve irritation:
The caffeine in coffee is irritating and may make some people feel uncomfortable or anxious. Adding milk can reduce the concentration of caffeine, thereby reducing this irritation.
The protein and fat in milk can combine with caffeine, slowing the absorption rate of caffeine and making the stimulating effect of caffeine more lasting and gentle.
4. Reduce the risk of tooth staining:
Pure coffee may stain teeth, but after adding milk, the color of coffee will become softer, reducing the risk of staining.
5. Promote intestinal health:
The combination of coffee and milk may help promote intestinal peristalsis and improve constipation problems. But this effect may vary from person to person, and it is necessary to pay attention to drinking in moderation.
6. Enhance memory:
The caffeine in coffee can stimulate the brain, improve alertness and concentration, and the protein and minerals in milk also contribute to brain health. Therefore, hand-brewed coffee with milk may help enhance memory.
7. Anti-inflammatory effect:
The latest research has found that polyphenols in coffee may have a stronger anti-inflammatory effect after combining with key proteins in milk. Although this effect is still in the laboratory stage, the prospects are worth looking forward to.
In short, whether to add milk to hand-brewed coffee depends mainly on personal taste and preference. For those who like to taste the original flavor of coffee, they may choose not to add milk and directly enjoy the mellow aroma and taste of coffee. However, for those who like the unique flavor produced by mixing coffee and milk, adding milk is a good choice. Common ways to add milk include adding milk, milk foam, cream, etc. These dairy products can increase the taste level of coffee and make it more rich and diverse. For example, latte is a classic combination of hand-brewed coffee and milk, which is loved by many people. Whether you choose to add milk or not, you can enjoy the deliciousness of coffee according to your preferences.
