CAFÉ CON LECHE

CAFÉ CON LECHE

By: Stephanie Segovia

Have you ever seen a little kid drinking coffee? I grew up surrounded by coffee mountains, and like Juancho from the movie Encanto, as a young kid, I grew up drinking coffee with milk like many others who grew up in coffee-producing countries. 

I’m Steph, a coffee expert from Alum Rock. During the pandemic, I took care of myself by brewing a caffeinated idea to celebrate the art of coffee in each cup of coffee. I created Steph Brews Coffee, honoring the coffee culture of my people in El Salvador.

This is a step-by-step recipe to prepare 3 cups of cafe con Leche, and it is inspired by my first coffee drink, Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk ). You can use any brewing method. For this recipe, I’m using a French Press.  

“...like Juancho from the movie Encanto, as a young kid, I grew up drinking coffee with milk like many others...”

Time

Set up: 2 minutes

Brewing: 5 minutes

Preparing: 3 minutes

Total: 10 minutes 

Ingredients 

• Coffee beans (35 grams)

• Water (525 ml)

• Milk (100 ml)

• Panela (cane sugar)

• Cinnamon stick 

Measurements

• 35 grams of coffee

• 525 milliliters of water 

Tools 

• French Press*

• Water Kettler

• Mini French press

• Spoon 

• Favorite mug

“*A classic brewing method that is straightforward to brew the best cup of coffee, and no paper filter is required.”

Preparation 

Boil water. You need 525 ml of water to a temperature of  200°F. 

Measure 35 gs of coffee, then grind the coffee. For the French Press, it is best to grind the coffee coarse. After grinding the coffee, add it to the French Press. 

Brewing time

In a circular motion, pour 100 ml of water into the French press. Let it rest for about one minute to ensure the coffee releases the gas so you may see bubbles building up, known as degasification. Degasification is taking out the coffee's gas (carbon dioxide). 

After one minute, add the remaining water (325 ml) in circular motions to your French press and let it brew for four minutes. 

After four minutes, slowly press down the plunger. Plunging slowly has helped me better control the strength and taste of my coffee. 

Milk 

After brewing coffee, grab your milk of choice, and measure about 100 ml of milk. Heat milk to about 130°F, helping me develop foam and adding more texture to my drink.

In a glass jar, add the panela and milk, then shake the jar vigorously for 12–15 seconds. You’ll be able to see how the milk develops foam. Use a cloth or kitchen towel to shake the glass mason jar if the milk is too hot.  

Bringing together cafe and Leche 

Add a cinnamon stick to your favorite coffee mug and pour 130 ml of brewed coffee.

Start pouring milk into your coffee mug. When you start pouring, hold steady, then begin making a circular motion. This is not a latte, but you could add art to your cafecito con Leche. 

And there, you have brewed your best cup of coffee. You can prepare your Café con Leche at home!

“...you could add art to your cafecito con Leche.”

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