In some parts of India, the monsoon season is just around the corner. And people are getting ready to fry some pakoras, nosh on bhutta, and enjoy the rains. Around this time, it also becomes absolutely necessary to ramp up your diet. While the rainy season is here to give us that much-needed respite from the sweltering heat, it is also a breeding ground for cold, cough, flu, and all sorts of bacterial infections. In such a scenario, hot and soothing drinks can be a perfect way to prepare ourselves. Coffee, a favourite of many people, is a drink that not only energises us but also keeps us warm and fuzzy when the weather changes.
What if we tell you that coffee also comes with a whole lot of other benefits? While there are side effects of drinking too much coffee, the good news is that this beloved drink, whether it is an espresso, drip coffee, latte, or good old cold brew, is indeed healthy, if consumed moderately.
For instance, did you know coffee too has antioxidants? Coffee beans are said to be rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals or unstable molecules that can damage your body cells. According to experts, a key antioxidant in coffee, called chlorogenic acid, which is a plant-based compound that has been shown to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and may also protect against chronic diseases by reducing oxidative damage.
So basically, monsoon is the best time to reap the benefits of coffee, amp up your body with some antioxidants, as we bring you some of the most amazing cappuccino recipes. These coffee recipes by Girish Chandra of Lavazza India also contain some more ingredients that help cope with seasonal infections for instance, peppermint, cinnamon, and honey. So, get your coffee beans and start brewing.
1. French Vanilla Cappuccino
Ingredients:
● 100 ml brewed coffee (French press/ drip coffee)
● 150 ml milk
● 10 ml vanilla flavour
● 1-2 tsp brown sugar
● A pinch of peppermint
● Handheld blender – can also use an electric mixer
Method:
1. Brew your coffee, keep it hot and ready to go.
2. Next, heat milk with a splash of vanilla. Heat it slowly, gradually increasing the temperature until it is steamy and bubbly. Stir it frequently.
3. Once the milk is bubbly, turn the heat off and stir in the brown sugar until dissolved.
4. Very carefully pour the steamed milk and vanilla mixture into a metal cup. Why metal? It keeps the milk hot. If you don’t have a metal cup, use a thick-walled glass cup.
5. Garnish with very little peppermint, and just 2 drops of rose syrup.
2. Orange Spiced Cappuccino
Ingredients:
● ½ cup whipping cream
● 1 tbsp powdered sugar
● 150 ml milk
● 100 ml hot coffee
● 1 tsp grated orange peel
● 60 ml orange juice
● ¼ tsp cinnamon
● Nutmeg
Method:
1. In a small bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Put a saucepan over medium heat, heat milk to serving temperature.
4. Add coffee, orange peel, orange juice concentrate and cinnamon. Strain into a serving pot.
5. To serve, pour into small cups, filling half full.
6. Top each with a spoonful of whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
3. Honey Cappuccino
Ingredients:
● 100 ml brewed coffee
● 60 ounces of hot milk
● 1 tbsp honey, more if you like it sweeter
● Honey crystals and honey drizzle to top
Method:
1. Make the coffee. While the coffee is brewing, add the honey to the milk and foam the milk.
2. If you don’t have a foamer, heat the milk until its boiling point and use a blender to foam the milk and honey mixture.
3. Pour the coffee into a mug, and then pour the honey milk on it and spoon the foam on the top.
4. Finish with honey crystals and a honey drizzle.
4. Cinnamon Mocha Cappuccino
Ingredients:
● 150 ml cup milk
● 10 ml cinnamon syrup
● 20 ml chocolate Syrup/ Sauce
● 150 ml brewed coffee (french press coffee will be perfect)
● Ground cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa powder
Method:
1. Microwave milk for 1 to 1 ½ minutes or until hot but not boiling.
2. Beat hot milk with an electric mixer, increasing speed as milk begins to thicken.
3. Continue beating until foamy.
4. Microwave cinnamon and chocolate syrups in microwave-safe coffee cups for 20 seconds. Stir in coffee.
5. Add steamed milk, spooning foam over top.
6. Sprinkle it with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
7. Serve immediately.