\n1. Espresso<\/strong>
\nEspresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks and is brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Use an espresso machine with freshly ground coffee beans, or a stovetop Moka pot for a strong alternative.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: A fine grind of dark-roasted coffee beans and hot water.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Strong, rich and concentrated.
\n2. Americano<\/strong>
\nThis is essentially an espresso with added hot water, giving it a similar strength to drip coffee, but with a smoother taste.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Pull a shot of espresso and add hot water in a 1:2 ratio.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso and hot water.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Bold but less intense than an espresso.<\/p>\n
4. Flat white<\/strong> Coffee equipment<\/strong> Classic coffee cake<\/strong> Amarula coffee<\/strong> Iced coffee<\/strong> The perfect French Press coffee<\/strong> Lowvelders are avid coffee drinkers, from that first-thing, early morning cup grabbed on the way to work, to the soothing, leisurely cappuccino with your girlfriends on a Saturday morning shopping spree. Whether you are a coffee aficionado, like to brew a pot on Sunday afternoons at home or prefer to pop into one of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":20550,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-20549","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorised"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/05\/3-3-283x400.jpg\")
\n3. Cappuccino<\/strong>
\nA classic Italian coffee, the cappuccino is a perfect balance of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Brew one shot of espresso, steam milk to create a creamy texture and top with a thick layer of foam.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: 1\/3 espresso,
\n1\/3 steamed milk and 1\/3 milk foam.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Smooth, creamy,
\nwith a strong coffee taste.<\/p>\n
\nThe flat white is similar to a cappuccino, but with less foam and more velvety milk.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Pull an espresso shot and add finely textured steamed milk.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso and steamed milk (without thick foam).
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Strong coffee taste with a silky texture.
\n5. Caf\u00e9 mocha<\/strong>
\nPerfect for chocolate lovers, a mocha combines coffee, chocolate and milk for a decadent drink.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Brew an espresso shot, mix with cocoa powder or chocolate syrup, and top with steamed milk.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso, cocoa powder or chocolate syrup, steamed milk, and optionally, whipped cream.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Sweet, chocolatey and rich.
\n6. Irish coffee<\/strong>
\nThe perfect end to a chilly Autumn evening.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Brew a strong coffee, mix with Irish whiskey and sugar, and top with lightly whipped cream.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Black coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar and whipped cream.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Sweet, creamy and warming.
\n7. Macchiato<\/strong>
\nA macchiato is a shot of espresso \u2018stained\u2019 with a small amount of milk foam.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Brew an espresso shot and top with a small dollop of frothed milk.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso and a small amount of milk foam.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Strong and bold with a slight creamy texture.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/05\/2-3-283x400.jpg\")
8. Cortado<\/strong>
\nA Spanish-style coffee that balances espresso with warm milk.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Brew an espresso shot and add an equal amount of
\nsteamed milk.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso and steamed milk (1:1 ratio).
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Smooth and strong, with less milk than a flat white..
\n9. Affogato<\/strong>
\nThe ultimate indulgence.
\n\u2022 How to make it: Pour a shot of hot espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
\n\u2022 What goes into it: Espresso and vanilla ice cream.
\n\u2022 Flavour profile: Sweet, creamy and slightly bitter.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/05\/2-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nWhile not essential for making the perfect cup, having the right equipment can make life a little easier. For the serious coffee aficionados, here are a few of our favourite tools:
\n\u2022 Espresso machine: Ideal for making espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.
\n\u2022 Stovetop espresso maker (Moka Pot): A great alternative to an espresso machine for brewing strong coffee.
\n\u2022 French press (also known as a plunger or Bodum): Perfect for making rich, full-bodied coffee.
\n\u2022 Drip coffee maker: Great for brewing larger quantities of coffee with ease.
\n\u2022 AeroPress: A portable and versatile coffee maker for smooth, concentrated coffee.
\n\u2022 Milk frother: Essential for creating creamy lattes and cappuccinos.
\n\u2022 Burr grinder: For freshly ground coffee, which enhances the flavour.
\n\u2022 Gooseneck kettle: Provides precision when making pour-over coffee.
\n\u2022 Pour-over coffee maker: Allows control over brewing time and flavour extraction.
\n\u2022 Coffee scale: Ensures accurate coffee-to-water ratios for a consistent brew.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/05\/6-2-283x400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nIngredients<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 3 cups all-purpose flour \u2022 1 and \u00bd cups light brown sugar \u2022 1 and \u00bd tsp baking soda \u2022 1 tsp cinnamon \u2022 \u00be tsp salt \u2022 3 tbsp instant espresso powder or instant coffee powder \u2022 1 and \u00bd cups milk \u2022 3 tsp vanilla extract \u2022 \u00be cup canola oil or vegetable oil \u2022 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar \u2022 Cherries or walnuts to decorate
\nMethod<\/strong><\/em>
\nPreheat the oven to 180\u00b0C. Grease two round cake tins with butter and line the bottoms with circles of baking paper. Sift all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl and add light brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and instant espresso powder. Mix. Add milk, vanilla extract, oil and apple cider vinegar. Mix into a batter, but don\u2019t over-mix. Divide between the two prepared 8-inch cake pans and smooth down. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of one of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. When the cakes are completely cool, ice with espresso frosting and top with cherries or walnuts.
\nFrosting
\n\u2022 1 cup butter, softened \u2022 4 cups powdered sugar \u2022 1 tbsp instant espresso powder \u2022 1 tsp vanilla extract \u2022 4 tbsp milk
\nWhisk the butter, powdered sugar, instant espresso powder, vanilla extract and milk together, and beat for a few minutes until very fluffy and smooth.<\/p>\n
\nIngredients<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 1 shot espresso or 1\/2 cup strong brewed coffee
\n\u2022 1\/2 cup steamed milk (or dairy-free alternative) \u2022 1 shot Amarula \u2022 1 tsp brown sugar (optional) \u2022 Whipped cream for topping (optional)
\nMethod
\nBrew coffee and pour into a heatproof glass or mug. Stir in sugar if using. Add Amarula and mix well. Top with steamed milk and whipped cream if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.<\/p>\n
\nIngredients<\/strong><\/em>
\n\u2022 1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled \u2022 \u00bd cup milk
\n\u2022 Ice cubes \u2022 1-2 tsp sugar or sweetener (optional)
\n\u2022 Whipped cream (optional)
\nMethod:
\nFill a glass with ice cubes. Pour the cooled coffee over the ice. Add milk and sweetener, then stir well. Top with whipped cream if using and enjoy!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2025\/05\/7-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Grind your coffee: Use a coarse grind, similar to sea salt, or use good quality bought coffee grounds.
\n\u2022 Measure: Use about 1 tablespoon of coffee per 180ml
\nof water.
\n\u2022 Heat water: Bring water to around 90-96\u00b0C (just off
\nthe boil).
\n\u2022 Bloom: Pour a little hot water over the grounds, let sit
\nfor 30 seconds.
\n\u2022 Brew: Add the rest of the water and stir gently. Place the lid on and let it steep for 4 minutes.
\n\u2022 Plunge: Slowly press the plunger down, then pour and enjoy immediately.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"