Pumpkin Spice Coffee, Lattes and How to Make Coffee

Good morning!  I hope the change in format/theme and photo changes are not confusing anyone.  I have been trying to research updated themes for my blog and be able to keep all of the people signed up to receive email updates.  I like a lot of photos and the collapse of older blog posts which this theme does well.

I love coffee and the fact that it is a health food packed with more antioxidants than almost anything makes it even better.  I’ve been playing with Pumpkin Spice Lattes for two years and I really like the pumpkin spice coffee that comes up only once a year.  The pumpkin spice coffee is REALLY easy to make.  I use a French press because if Alton Brown and America’s Test Kitchen say it is the best way to make coffee, then it probably is so.  If those two entities agree on anything, you know you are in for a treat.  You could also make the pumpkin spice coffee for a gift for a coffee lover!

First, how to make coffee using a French Press.  (If you use a regular coffeemake, just fast forward to the recipes!)  Though technically there is a slight health disadvantage in regards to cholesterol this way, it is minimal and many say it won’t matte unless you really overdose on French press coffee.  I also have to agree that a French press is great for making tea with loose tea.  You can also use a French press to make flavored whipped cream by letting a scraped vanilla bean or some coarse coffee grounds sit in the fridge and impart the flavor.  Then, press and whip!

French Press Coffee
yield: 1 – 12 oz. serving (most servings are 6 oz but I need more!)

4 Tb. whole coffee beans (Many books recommend a medium roast and I agree.)
12 oz. water

1.  Starting boiling the water.

2.  Meanwhile, grind the coffee beans until they are coarse.  Alton Brown suggests a slightly higher end grinder to get an even grind.  I totally agree you need an even grind, but if I can find a cheaper way I will.  Fortunately, you can.  Take your cheap coffee grinder and shake it a little while grinding.  It works every time!  I love this trick.

3.  Put the ground beans in the French press and then add the water just off the boil.  Set your time for 4 minutes.

4.  Press and drink!

Pumpkin Spice Coffee
yield 1 – 12oz. cup of coffee

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
4 Tb. ground coffee

I found with experimenting that a ratio of 1/8 tsp. of pumpkin spice to 2 Tb. of ground coffee had a great flavor.  If you want a very faint flavor, go with 1/8 tsp. per 4 Tb. of coffee.

1.  Make coffee in the French press (like above) or just in your regular coffeemaker.

Pumpkin Spice Latte
yield 1 – 12oz. cup

3/4 cup milk
1 Tb. pumpkin butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. sugar or sugar substitute
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee*
whipped topping
cinnamon

*Do not increase the brew time.  This will cause the coffee to be bitter.  Simply add more coffee grounds to the water or coffeemaker.

1.  On the stovetop, mix the milk, pumpkin butter and sugar in a small pan and stir occassionally until boiling.
2.  Take off the heat and add vanilla.
3.  Take an immersion blender to blend or a wire whisk or a heatproof blender.  (I forgot to do this part once.  It still tastes great, but you get the grit on the bottom that those other recipes always leave.)
4.   Pour this mix into your coffee and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Recipe from: Skinny Taste