By: Samson Ray
If there’s no such thing as modern-day superheroes, then why do baristas exist?
It’s my firm belief that a perfectly pulled shot of espresso by a local barista does more for society than most. The public needs their caffeine, and the most important ingredient is the person waking up at 4am to prepare it for us.
Pairing a morning cup of joe with a little treat is something anyone can learn how to do- and should, to enhance the enjoyment of both items. Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day.
Jump to :
Dark roast
Medium roast
Light roast
One Cup at a Time
A coffee or espresso’s flavor and fullness will depend on how long it’s roasted. Surprisingly, the coffee-est, if you will, of beans actually carries the least amount of caffeine, as it’s usually smoked out in the process of roasting the beans. The less time a bean is roasted, the more caffeine, acidity, and lighter the flavor.
Most mornings I find myself enjoying my coffee black, but a splash of almond milk can cool it down significantly and add a bit of calcium to start off my day. Because of my taste for coffee in its purest form, I’m basing the flavor profiles off of this. If you like cream or sugar in your coffee, these pairings can still work for you, but there might be a slight difference in our experiences.
Come To the Dark Side
Dark roast beans have a robust full body with a stronger coffee taste. This brew has the least amount of caffeine but gives us that classic coffee flavor. A pairing I particularly enjoy is a hot drip coffee and a black and white cookie. The bitterness of a fresh dark roast will complement the sugary sweetness of the cookie.
Personally, anything chocolatey fits nicely with a hot dark roast. If you’re a fan of a buttery, flaky croissant, try this bittersweet beverage with a chocolate croissant.
Meet Me in the Middle!
Depending on the café you go to, or the default beans you choose at the supermarket, it’s most likely it’ll be a medium roast. The best thing about a medium roast is that its perfectly balanced body can be paired with just about anything.
So, if you’re a fan of banana bread or a cheese danish, this is the coffee for you. If you’re trying to cut back on the sugar, I suggest going for a traditional croissant or even a scone.
Blondes Have More Fun
There are a few good choices if your morning coffee is a light roast or blonde espresso based.
Because blonde coffee beans are roasted for less time than medium or dark, it gives them a more acidic taste due to the higher caffeine content. The citrus and sugary taste of a lemon loaf or a warm blueberry muffin will enhance the tangy flavor of a light roast coffee..
Keeping It Simple
If you can’t make it to a coffee shop, be it time or expenses, it’s just as simple to practice coffee tasting at home. I have a Keurig, not super barista-friendly, but it did the job through college, and it makes my morning routine go by just a bit faster.
With the rise of remote working, it’s absolutely achievable to create these pairings yourself at home. Whether you have a French press, your own personal espresso machine, or just a simple single cup brewer, the possibilities are endless.
FAQs
It really depends on your taste! A hot coffee with a warm pastry is delicious but to beat summer heat it’s always possible to have an iced coffee and a room temperature bakery item!
A medium roast has perfectly balanced body can be paired with just about anything.
About the Author
Samson Ray is a recently graduated aspiring writer with a passion for coffee. He fell in love with being a barista in high school and still carries love for the craft even when he moved onto a different path. With a defined taste for many different coffee experiences, he can guarantee your satisfaction and hope you learn to appreciate the brew life just as much.
