RecipecoffeeFrench Cuisine60 Min Prep

Café de Flore Latte: A From-Scratch Masterclass

Embark on a journey to recreate the iconic latte from Etobicoke's Café de Flore Patisserie.

This recipe eschews shortcuts, guiding you through every step from roasting the beans to frothing the milk to silken perfection.

Prepare for an unparalleled sensory experience.

SweetSaltySourBitterUmami

Taste Profile

Not in the mood to brew?

Order at Cafe de Flore Patisserie

Ingredients

3 items
1Servings

Total Time

30m

1

Homemade Coffee Bean Roasting

15 min
Ingredients
  • 20 g Green Coffee Beans (Single Origin)
Instructions
  1. 1

    Preheat your home coffee roaster according to the manufacturer's instructions.

  2. 2

    Add the green coffee beans to the roaster.

  3. 3

    Roast the beans, monitoring the temperature and color. Listen for the 'first crack' and observe the development of the beans.

  4. 4

    Quickly cool the roasted beans to stop the roasting process. Use a cooling tray or colander.

  5. 5

    Let the beans rest for at least 24 hours to degas before grinding.

Main Recipe

01

Roast the Beans

Using a home coffee roaster, roast the green coffee beans to a light-medium roast. Aim for a 'first crack' and a slight pause before the 'second crack'. This brings out the bright acidity and floral notes we're after. Let rest for 24 hrs before brewing.

Pro Tip

"Roasting is an art. Start with small batches and carefully monitor the color and aroma."

02

Grind the Beans

Using a high-quality burr grinder, grind the roasted beans to a fine consistency, suitable for espresso. Finer than table salt, but not powder. A proper grinder is vital!

03

Pull the Espresso Shot

Tamp the grounds firmly and evenly into the portafilterportafilterThe handle with a basket used to hold coffee grounds.. Brew a double shot (approximately 60ml) of espresso using an espresso machine. The extractionextractionThe process of dissolving delicious flavors from coffee grounds into water. should take between 25-30 seconds. Look for a rich cremacremaThe golden-brown foam that settles on top of a shot of espresso. and a balanced flavor.

Pro Tip

"Channeling is the enemy. Even tamping is key to a balanced extraction."

04

Steam and Froth the Milk

Pour cold milk into a stainless steel pitcher. PurgePurgeReleasing a burst of steam to clear the wand of any condensation or residue. the steam wand of your espresso machine to remove any condensation. Submerge the steam wand tip just below the surface of the milk and introduce air to create microfoammicrofoamFinely textured milk foam with microscopic bubbles, ideal for latte art and smooth mouthfeel.. Lower the pitcher and continue steaming until the milk reaches a temperature of 60-65°C (140-150°F). The milk should be silky smooth and glossy, with a thin layer of microfoammicrofoamFinely textured milk foam with microscopic bubbles, ideal for latte art and smooth mouthfeel..

Pro Tip

"The 'paper tearing' sound is your friend! That's the sound of proper microfoam being created. Bang the pitcher on the counter to release any large bubbles and swirl to create a uniform texture."

05

Pour the Latte

Gently swirl the steamed milk in the pitcher. Hold back the foam with a spoon while pouring the liquid milk into the center of the espresso cup. Once the cup is about two-thirds full, slowly release the foam and create your latte art. A simple heart is a classic starting point.

Pro Tip

"Practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your latte art isn't perfect at first. Keep experimenting with different pouring techniques."

06

Serve Immediately

Serve your masterpiece immediately and savor the rich, complex flavors of your homemade Café de Flore latte.

Try These Variations

Vanilla Latte

Add a touch of sweetness with a homemade vanilla syrup.

  • Add 15ml of homemade vanilla syrup to the espresso before adding the milk.

Mocha Latte

Indulge in a chocolatey twist with a homemade mocha sauce.

  • Add 15ml of homemade mocha sauce to the espresso before adding the milk.
From the Kitchen

Chef's Notes

Wisdom

1Invest in a good quality burr grinder for consistent grind size.

2Experiment with different coffee beans to find your favorite flavor profile.

3Use a thermometer to ensure the milk reaches the ideal temperature for steaming.

4Practice your latte art techniques regularly.

Pitfalls

1Using pre-ground coffee (flavor degrades quickly).

2Overheating the milk (results in scalded flavor and poor texture).

3Not purging the steam wand properly (introduces water into the milk).

4Under-extracting or over-extracting the espresso (affects the taste).

5Bad tamping technique

Inspired by

This recipe captures the essence of Cafe de Flore Patisserie in Etobicoke. Authenticity isn't just about ingredients; it's about place.

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