How To Impress With One Simple Skill And Save

You will need coffee for this

Inflation is a reality — my grocery bill for the last two months proves it and if you are like me, you are probably looking for ways to save. However, as much as you and I might wish to save, there are some things that are an absolute necessity. Coffee is one of them.

Right?

If we are not buying our coffee it’s usually automated and at the risk of offending, automation is not sexy. Having and demonstrating a skill is sexier and far more impressive.

What you need to be sexy

This will not require a trip to a nearby department store or a lavish online purchase. It even requires less time than you would spend at the gym.

Sounds too good to be true? It’s not.

I could make a latte at home in under 10 minutes with a Moka pot and a French press, which I purchased for under $50. I also bought a milk frothing pitcher — that really allows me to shine for under $20.

Of course, you’ll need espresso and milk. At your typical grocery store, there are some roasters who have already packaged an espresso grind for sale. However, the sexier thing to do is to purchase whole beans from your favorite cafe and ask them to grind it for you — if you do not wish to invest in a grinder. And if you were to buy your coffee online, you’ll be given an option to select an espresso grind before you complete the purchase.

Putting it together

1. Fill the boiler(bottom) of the Moka pot with water just below the safety valve.
2. Fit the funnel tank(metal basket) into the boiler and fill it with your espresso grounds; aiming for an even distribution without pressing the grounds down. Take care to also keep the grounds from spilling onto the edges of the boiler but you might still catch me using my fingers to clean the edges.
3. Screw the kettle(top) onto the boiler and place it on your heating source. A flame should not extend beyond the edges of the Moka pot.
4. Fill a 12 oz. French press with milk and pour into a small pot — it will be enough milk to make a latte for yourself and that special someone.
5. Steam the milk (tiny bubbles completely around the edges of the milk is a good sign) and remove from burner before it begins to boil.
6. TIP: Try to have the pot of milk and the Moka pot on their heating sources at the same time. It’s better, not to have one cooling while waiting for the other to be ready, for the next step. It is also safer to keep the lid of the Moka pot closed to avoid a mess. A gurgling sound will tell you it’s ready and that you can remove it from the burner.
7. Pour half of the milk into the French press and pump at a moderate pace for a hundred times— it's faster than you think. Bring the plunger to the brim but not out of the milk, so as not to add too much air(unless you want to make a cappuccino instead)
8. Pour the aerated milk into the frothing pitcher, tap the pitcher a few times on the counter to remove the bubbles, and polish(swirling gently).
9. Pour half of the espresso into a coffee cup and get ready for the most exciting — or frustrating step.
10. Pouring a design is where you get to show off but you are going to need some patience and practice. It took me about a month before I was able to consistently pour a simple heart.

That’s it. Ten steps to a sexier— I meant more impressive, you.