SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Myler Makes...Coffee!
I went to Scarborough Grounds this morning and put on my barista hat to try making different types of coffee, among other beverages.
Pamela Colby is the manager there and showed me the ropes.
Let's start with the basics...espresso. (Yes, that's all the letter "S", no "X" in sight).
Pamela said you begin by grinding the beans fresh and then using a press to push the grounds into a puck. You take that and hook it up to the espresso machine, press a button, and then two shots of espresso begin to pour out.
They have a bunch of different flavorings so I made a brown sugar cinnamon/shortbread iced latte. I was going for a riff on my favorite Pop-Tart growing up.
Sans coffee
Now not everyone likes coffee, my mother included. Even if it's hidden under a lot of cream and sugar, she can't stand the taste. That's where their "Electric Fizz" drinks come in handy.
It's pretty simple. Red Bull + flavor = a coffee-free caffeine fix.
We made a blue raspberry electric fizz and it tasted like one of those Slush Puppies you had at the concession stand in high school.
A cappuccino by any other name would taste as sweet
I'd say the most classic coffee drink (besides brewed coffee, of course) is probably a cappuccino or a latte, and there is a difference.
They all start with espresso and milk. You have to steam the milk in a way to get more or less foam, which is where they differ.
Pamela said a cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. A latte is espresso and steamed milk, topped with a *little* bit of foam. And a macchiato is not what you may have seen at other coffee chains, but it is just foam and espresso.
It's a classic for a reason, it's absolutely delicious and has a hint of European culture in every sip.
Blend it up
And last but certainly not least: blended drinks.
Many people aren't a huge fan of coffee, but they still want a bit of the flavor. That's where a blended drink comes in handy. They're ice, milk, and your choice of flavored powder that are blended to make a creamy drink.
I chose to top mine with some whipped cream and caramel — why not?
Seize the day
Thank you so much to Scarborough Grounds and Pamela for having me this morning. I don't usually drink coffee (I love it, but it's too much caffeine) so I'm sure I was a handful this morning.