Coffee Styles, Tea Alternatives, and How to Build a Cozy Home Café
A typical cup of coffee is more than just a burst of caffeine.
Your morning coffee is a ritual. It is the first quiet time of your day before all the commotion begins. It is the aroma filling your kitchen as you get ready for your day. It is that first sip that gets your day started off right.
With a little creativity and some small changes to your morning coffee routine you can create a cozy home cafe environment.
This article will walk you through the basics of what you need to do to create this experience. This includes an overview of the different types of coffee including drip, Americano, latte, cappuccino, cold brew, and iced coffee. Then we will explore alternative warm beverages to coffee such as Masala Chai, a spiced black tea.
Next we will cover the items you will need to purchase to create your home cafe experience including mugs, brewers, and accessories. Finally, we will discuss how to incorporate comfortable coffee inspired clothing into your wardrobe.
Whether you want to start your day off slowly and quietly or need a mid-afternoon pick me up, BJ's Best Brews has the information and products you will need to create a special coffee experience.
From Drip to Lattes: Coffee Styles Explained
While coffee always starts with roasted coffee beans and water, the type of brewing and serving method used to prepare the coffee determines the overall coffee experience. Each brewing method produces a unique combination of flavors, textures, and strength -- so learning about each brewing method is important to help you choose the best roast for your preferred cup.
Drip Coffee:
Drip coffee is the easiest and most popular brewing method. It produces a very balanced, smooth-tasting coffee. It is great for busy mornings or for office use. A medium roast coffee, such as Breakfast Blend, is perfect for a simple, everyday coffee. If you prefer a stronger coffee but still want to be able to easily drink it, consider using Peru Coffee, a medium-roasted coffee with a bright note.
American:
An Americano is made by combining espresso with hot water. While an Americano will retain the deep flavor of espresso, the added hot water will soften the strong intensity of the espresso. A medium to dark roasted coffee, such as Italian Roast, works well because it is strong enough to stand up to the addition of water but is still smooth enough to drink.
Lattes:
A latte is made with one or two shots of espresso and plenty of steamed milk. The latte is a comforting drink, mellow and creamy, and perfect for adding your own flair. A strong coffee bean, such as Italian Roast or Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee, will add a rich flavor to your latte.
Cappuccino:
Like a latte, a cappuccino is made with espresso and steamed milk, but it has a higher ratio of frothed milk to liquid milk than a latte does. Cappuccinos are light and airy but also bold and perfect for those who enjoy strong coffee. A dark roasted coffee, such as Italian Roast or Espresso Roast, will add a rich and complex flavor to your cappuccino.
Cold Brew:
Cold brew is a process of steeping coarse-ground coffee beans in cold water for 12-18 hours. Cold brew results in a smooth and naturally sweet coffee with low acidity. A medium to medium-dark roasted coffee, such as Peru Coffee or Breakfast Blend, produces a rounded and refreshing flavor that remains delicious when served over ice.
Iced Coffee:
Unlike cold brew, iced coffee is made by brewing coffee hot and pouring it over ice to preserve the freshness. A medium roasted coffee with nutty or caramel flavors, such as Breakfast Blend, produces a balanced flavor that will remain flavorful even when cooled.
Flavored Lattes and Seasonal Drinks:
For those days when you want to get creative with your coffee experience, you can turn your home coffee bar into a mini coffee shop. Try using Whiskey Barrel Aged Coffee to make a "Bourbon-Inspired" latte, or try experimenting with syrups like vanilla, mocha, or pumpkin spice. Using a darker roasted coffee will ensure that these flavors remain balanced and rich.
Once you determine your favorite coffee style, keep both medium and dark roasted coffees available to have a choice between a quick and easy morning coffee and a more indulgent coffee drink.
When Coffee Isn't the Vibe: Chai and Other Warm Drinks
Even if you love coffee, there are times when you might want to try something else. Perhaps you want a soothing, aromatic drink that is lower in caffeine. There are many tea-inspired drinks that fit this bill, and Masala Chai is one example.
What is Masala Chai?
Masala Chai is a black tea that is brewed with a blend of warming spices including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and black pepper. The name Masala Chai literally means "spiced tea," and the flavor is rich, creamy and extremely comforting.
BJ's Best Brews Masala Chai is a fragrant experience that will awaken your senses without overpowering your caffeine intake. The aroma itself is like a warm hug -- perfect for a lazy afternoon or a relaxing evening.
How to Brew a Soothing Chai at Home
To brew a soothing chai at home, bring one cup of water and half a cup of milk (dairy or oat) to a gentle boil.
Next, add one teaspoon of BJ's Best Brews Masala Chai and a drizzle of honey or sugar to taste.
Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, then strain and pour into your favorite mug.
The resulting beverage is a smooth, spicy and aromatic drink that pairs perfectly with quiet reading, a conversation with friends or simply enjoying a quiet evening.
Other Warm Drink Ideas
If you're looking for a non-coffee warm drink option, you might consider trying herbal teas such as chamomile or rooibos for a relaxing evening, or try making a rich, dessert-style hot chocolate by blending dark cocoa with espresso. Alternatively, you could try golden milk, a turmeric-based drink that is both calming and free of caffeine.
Masala Chai serves as the bridge between coffee energy and evening calm, which is ideal for anyone who wants the cozy ritual without the buzz.
Mugs, Equipment & Your Home Cafe Design
The quality of your coffee should be matched by a great environment to drink it. Setting up a home cafe is not necessarily about high-end coffee makers, but rather finding a way to create an area that allows you to slow down and enjoy each sip of your coffee.
Design your own corner
First, find a specific area on your countertop or on a shelf where all your items will reside. Use a few containers to store beans/tea, a container for spoons, and a tray to hold your mugs. This keeps everything close to hand when preparing for your morning coffee.
You do not have to buy top-of-the-line equipment; simply choose a brewing method that you prefer (drip brewer, French press or pour-over) and use it consistently.
Select the perfect mug for every occasion
BJ's Best Brews has mugs to fit your style and needs:
White Glossy Mug: Classic and simple, great for your office or as a daily ritual.
Color Inside Mug: Fun and playful, add some color to your space.
Latte Mug: Tall and shaped perfectly for those homemade lattes and fun latte art designs.
Enamel Mug: Lightweight, long-lasting, and great for camping, hiking, or a quiet weekend at the cabin.
Each of BJ's Best Brews' mugs serves as more than just a tool to consume your beverage; they become part of your ritual. Select the one that represents your "home coffee corner" best and it will become a small reminder of your special place.
Store your coffee supplies properly
To preserve your coffee's scent, store your coffee beans in air-tight containers or re-sealable bags. You can also add a few small decorative items (such as a scoop, grinder, etc.) to give your space a little personality.
When your coffee brewing station looks and feels like it belongs to you, sipping your morning coffee becomes a comforting, relaxing experience.
Comfort & Coffee: Apparel & Lifestyle
While your home cafe is primarily defined by what is in your cup, it is also defined by how you feel while drinking it. What you are wearing may play a significant role in helping you establish the tone of your day.
A warm sweatshirt, calming music and the smell of freshly brewed coffee? Those elements define the ultimate home cafe lifestyle.
The coffee uniform
BJ's Best Brews offers clothing that helps evoke that sense of comfort:
Unisex Hoodie: Great for cool, slow mornings and casual outings outside of the home. Perfect example of a comfortable, go-to item.
Crop Hoodie: Soft, casual and light; great for a lazy Sunday morning or working remotely.
These items blend well with your morning coffee and provide an easy way to bring a mini-cafe experience anywhere you go.
Create comfort-focused bundles
Consider bundling your favorite products if you would like to gift them to others or purchase for yourself:
Italian Roast + Latte Mug + Unisex Hoodie = the "Classic Comfort" bundle.
Breakfast Blend + White Glossy Mug + Crop Hoodie = the "Morning Inspiration" bundle.
Masala Chai + Enamel Mug + Unisex Hoodie = perfect for a relaxing evening or a quiet time reading.
Bundling your favorite items provides a unique gift idea for birthdays, holidays, housewarming parties, etc. - a small token to bring warmth and relaxation to someone's day.
Creating Your Home Café Experience - Easy Ways To Bring Your Favorite BJ's Best Brews Blends To Life
To create your ultimate home café experience, we have provided simple recipes and serving ideas for all of your favorite BJ's Best Brews blends.
1. Weekend Latte
What do you need?
Italian Roast; Milk; Sweetener (Optional)
How to make it: Brew a Strong Espresso Shot Or Moka Pot Base. Steam or Heat Milk to Froth Lightly. Pour Over The Coffee And Top With Cinnamon Or Cocoa. Perfect For A Slow Weekend Morning In Your Latte Mug.
2. Iced Coffee For Busy Days
What do you need?
Breakfast Blend; Ice; Milk (Optional).
How to make it: Brew Double-Strength Coffee, Cool Slightly, Then Pour Over Ice. Add Milk &/or Sweetener As Needed. Serve In A Mug With Color Inside To Brighten Up Your Desk On A Crazy Day.
3. Masala Chai Latte
What Do You Need?
Masala Chai; Milk; Honey; Cinnamon.
How to make it: Brew the chai with milk & water, sweeten with honey, and froth up for a latte-like texture. Enjoy in a White Glossy Mug or Enamel Mug while sipping at the window during a busy evening.
4. Café Mocha Twist
What do you need?
Italian Roast; Cocoa Powder; Sugar; Milk.
How to make it: Brew an Italian Roast espresso and combine with cocoa and milk for a delicious homemade mocha. When the cold weather comes around and you're looking for something sweet, rich and comforting - try this one!
It's great about having a home café experience - there are no lines, no rush and endless opportunities to get creative and comfortable with your daily routines.
Final Thoughts
Having a home café is about so much more than the coffee itself, it's about creating special moments that are comfortable, meaningful and unique to YOU.
Take your favorite BJ's Best Brews bean or bag of Masala Chai and pair it with mugs that match your personality and slip into a hoodie that matches your home café vibe. Whether you brew a bold Italian Roast latte, a mellow Breakfast Blend drip or a spicy Masala Chai, you're creating a moment that brings comfort and joy to your entire day.