Here at YCB, we believe one can never underestimate the importance of coffee-time. Whether it’s with a breath of fresh air before a day in the office, a reason to stretch the legs at 3pm, or the perfect finish to a satisfying meal. In fact, a good cup of coffee is much more than a hit of stimulation to get through your next task. Instead, it is about finding time for yourself, appreciating the simple pleasures, and enjoying a moment of calm amongst the storm of the day. However, if we were to purchase a coffee in our local independent café every time we wanted one, we would admittedly be venturing far outside of our monthly budgets. What was once a pound or two has increased by over 100%, and that’s without the plant-based milk surcharge. It comes as no surprise therefore, that we have taken to becoming DIY baristas. However, thanks to Kitchen Aid, this no longer means sacrificing our cherished flat-white to a mediocre brew of instant granules. Here’s how to create a professional, barista-style coffee station in your own home.
Choose Your Machine
First and foremost, they say a craftsman is only as good as his tools. Therefore, in order to be your very own barista, a professional-style machine is essential. Enter: KitchenAid’s new espresso collection. Rooted in innovation, design and craftsmanship, the collection includes the KF8, a Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine. This sleek, gleaming machine is made with cutting-edge technology for the best-in-class performance. What’s more, no matter what shade you chose, Stainless Steel, Cast Iron Black, Porcelain White or Juniper, the polished exterior will fit seamlessly into every kitchen aesthetic. This machine, as well as the others in the collection is Quiet Mark certified, meaning they are some of the quietest machines on the market. Make a brew mid-meeting without the fear of triple-checking that you’re on mute.
This award-winning machine provides authentic espresso, with over 40 options at your fingertips from a luscious latte to an aromatic americano. To simplify things, you can create up to six favourites with shortcuts to customise your preferences, from the strength to the order of milk and coffee. It doesn’t stop there, select the pre-ground Coffee Bypass Chute to skip what’s in the grinder in favour of a quick, evening decaf.
Keep Mess to a Minimum
KitchenAid’s KF8 machine shows an automatic ‘clean me’ notification to ensure that it’s always in tip top condition to perform at its very best. Each feature is designed with efficiency in mind, keeping your efforts to a minimum. The removable bean hopper allows you to empty, refill or change to a different blend with mess-free ease. Meanwhile, Auto Purge automatically clears out the remaining beans in the grinder between batches, so the taste isn’t compromised by the grounds left behind. Finally, the automatic milk frother steams, heats or froths the exact amount of milk, every time, with an added plant-based milk mode for alternatives like almond, oat or soy.
Choose the Right Beans
Equally as important as the machine, fine quality coffee beans are a must. A brand that’s been at the heart of Japan’s coffee culture for over 85 years, Ueshima Coffee Company is our go-to. The expertly blended beans are precision roasted under the watchful eye of Japanese coffee masters, evident in variety of notes of each roast- from indulgent dark chocolate to sweet green apple. The result? A smooth, aromatic coffee that’s bold in flavour and low in acidity- a morning brew to truly savour. With new decaf coffee beans now available, these are the beans enjoyed in coffee houses and homes across Japan, and get our YCB seal of approval too.
Create Your Nook
With your coffee-source selected, now all that’s left is to create a space of solitude to use it. In true modern-barista style, we’ve decorated our nook with cozy candles, fairy-lights, and of course, an aesthetic bottle of alcohol to give our espressos a twist come the weekend. A bottle of Portofino gin is the perfect fit for a coffee nook aesthetic, and what’s more, it helps to create the perfect frothy, gin-based espresso martini, our cocktail of choice. Sitting proudly amongst our flavoured syrups and espresso cups, the bottle of artisan liquor exudes luxury, with a beautiful eye-catching illustration of Portofino.
To conclude, thanks to the KF8 Fully-Automatic Espresso Machine, we can indulge in a rich, full-flavoured espresso, whenever we so please. As the weather gets chillier and we become more and more reliant on our hot, caffeine-rich beverages, now is the time to create a cozy coffee nook in the comfort of your own home- reigniting the joy of a coffee break, simply without the price tag.
