A nice cup of coffee can be that jolt to get your day started off right, or a nice treat to wind down after a hearty meal. Regardless of when you enjoy your coffee, there are a lot of choices to help you transform your coffee into something unique.
Those who aren’t into the bitterness of coffee but enjoy the taste may be interested in trying something different. From the very sweet to the over-the-top, coffee is something everyone can enjoy. If you enjoy sweet and delectable coffee, you will love an affogato coffee.
So What Is Affogato Coffee?
A traditional Italian affogato coffee is a scoop of gelato, typically vanilla or cheese flavored, with a shot of hot espresso poured on top. It is regularly considered a dessert, but some eateries will consider it a beverage.
Affogatos are also sometimes served with traditional ice cream, and it can technically be made with any flavor of ice cream if you want to put a creative spin on it. Similarly, some will pour alcohol over their affogato, such as Baileys, Kaluha or amaretto.
An affogato is typically eaten with a spoon, but you can also allow it to sit until the ice cream is melted and drink it. You can also do a combination of both methods. Most enjoy it as a dessert or a dessert beverage after lunch or dinner, but it can be enjoyed any time.
Why Is It Called Affogato?
Affogato is Italian for the word drowned. It’s a suitable name, as affogatos are ice cream or gelato drowned in espresso. Some Italians will also call it an affogato caffe, which translates to drowned in coffee, which is also quite appropriate.
It’s unknown when exactly the affogato was created, but it’s assumed that it was sometime after the 1900s. It would have had to have been invented after the espresso machine, which was in the early 1900s.
Is Affogato Hot Or Cold?
An affogato is made with hot espresso, but with there being gelato or ice cream in the mix, it turns into a beautiful combination of hot and cold. The temperature contrast between the two is part of what makes an affogato the spectacular delicacy that it is.
What Is The Difference Between Affogato And Espresso?
Espresso is a strong coffee, brewed through pushing hot water through coffee at a high pressure. Espresso is typically served as a shot in a small cup, or it can be diluted in water to make an americano. Affogato is one of espresso-based beverages. It’s simply ice cream with espresso poured on top.
How Is Affogato Meant To Be Served?
If you want to have the most authentic experience of enjoying an affogato, there are some tips you can follow. You want to serve it in a chilled, clear glass. You’ll want to start by putting your scoops of ice cream or gelato in first.
As soon as your espresso is brewed, you’ll want to pour it on top of the ice cream. Be sure to watch the espresso slowly melt the ice cream. The visual appeal is one of the best parts of making an affogato.
In terms of how an affogato is traditionally eaten, it is usually served with a spoon which you will use to eat the ice cream. Once you’re finished with the ice cream, you can sip on your espresso that will most likely have been slightly flavored by the ice cream.
Does Starbucks Make Affogato?
Starbucks makes their own version of an affogato, which isn’t very similar to the traditional version. Essentially, you can order any drink on the menu affogato style, and the barista will pour a shot of espresso over the drink right before they serve it to you.
It would be best suited for a cold blended drink such as a Frappuccino. Frappuccinos come in a variety of flavors, so it could be a truly delicious additional to an already indulgent beverage.
There are a few Starbucks Reserve locations that can serve an affogato closer to the traditional dish, but those are few and far between.
How Much Does An Affogato Cost?
The price of an affogato will depend on where you get it from. At most restaurants, you’re looking anywhere between $5 and $10. It is a little pricier since it’s technically a dessert, but the price is worth it. It is also relatively inexpensive to make at home.
If you’re looking at the Starbucks version, it’ll cost you between $8 and $10 depending on how you choose it made.
How Can I Make An Affogato At Home?
Affogatos are really simple to make. You don’t need an espresso machine or a fancy coffee machine either. You can brew espresso in a stovetop espresso maker, or a moka. You can technically use strong coffee as well, but you won’t get the authentic experience of a real affogato.
In terms of ice cream choices, a vanilla gelato or a vanilla bean ice cream is the best bet for a traditional affogato. Again, you can choose whatever you have on hand, but it’s best to go for something rich in flavor.
Put two scoops of ice cream in a mug and pour your hot coffee on top, and you’re good to go. Adding liqueur is optional. A traditional affogato is two scoops of gelato and one shot of espresso, but you can change it up depending on who you’re serving it to and when you’re eating it.
For the best experience, make sure your mug is clear glass, or use a clear glass dish. Watching the ice cream melt when the espresso is poured over it is really satisfying to watch.
Conclusion
Whether you would classify an affogato as a dessert or a drink, there’s no debating that it’s a delicious, indulgent, and must-try treat.
It’s worth trying it the traditional way, but also fun to play with the minimal ingredients for something fun. Nevertheless, the act of creating and consuming an affogato is one to treasure, and one that everyone needs to try at least once.
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