FOCUS ON FOOD

If it takes more than a splash of milk and a spoonful of sugar to enjoy your coffee, I’m afraid you may be among those who like coffee-flavored drinks rather than actual coffee. A little bit of cream and sweetener in your brew is what I call an embellishment. Adding a quart of frothy milk, whipped cream and flavored syrups to your beverage conjures up images of county fair treats but has nothing to do with the ancient art of enjoying a good roast. If you can’t relish the dark, bold taste of an espresso or a simple pour-over brew au naturel, you may not be loving coffee as much as you might think.

Why does it matter? Once I started to cut down on the milk in my coffee, I began noticing how downright terrible a lot of coffees taste. One can hide the stalest, most acidic-tasting beans underneath cascades of cream, sugar and flavored additives that completely conceal the fact you were served an inferior roast. I suspect that many a coffee drinker would quit their habit if they knew how bitter and sour their drink truly tastes underneath fluffy add-ons.

So, many years back, I started taking my coffee black, with the occasional “dry” cappuccino (more foam, less milk) thrown into the mix, and it completely changed the way I approach coffee. For one, I no longer frivolously drink coffee wherever it’s served. I’m not afraid to ask for the origin and roasting style of the beans. If I don’t care for the answer, I pass on coffee in favor of tea or, simply, water.

As particular as I may be with how I drink my coffee, I love tinkering about with coffee-flavored desserts where any amount of milk, cream, yogurt or mascarpone can make its way into the mix. Since we avoid turning on the oven in the heat of the summer, I am resorting to ice pops. In memory of my first ever coffee drink, I like making latte macchiato-style pops. When the “latte” is served the traditional way — in glass tumblers — you are rewarded with beautiful layers of milk and coffee, creating a stunning ombre effect.

Latte macchiato — most definitely a gateway drink into a lifelong coffee habit — is not just visually pleasing as a coffee drink, it makes for some extraordinary ice pops, both in how it tastes and looks.