Coffee syrups

[bree]

hey, what are your thoughts on coffee syrups? (vanilla, irish cream etc) Do they enhance the coffee or take the proper taste away?

[Dennis]

Re: Coffee syrups

hey, what are your thoughts on coffee syrups? (vanilla, irish cream etc) Do they enhance the coffee or take the proper taste away?

I certainly wouldnt say they enhance the flavour, but rather, change the flavour. I think its a matter of what floats your boat, or in this case, tickles your taste buds! ;D

[Wushoes]

Re: Coffee syrups

Coffee syrups are good for places that make shit coffees....okay maybe thats a bit harsh, but it does an awesome job of masking underextracted, overextracted and burnt coffee in milk.

[bree]

Re: Coffee syrups

Ok yeh good points... so syrups are for the weak or for shit baristas weve established yes?? lol (man u guys really make the new ppls (me) feel welcome...getting shot down lol cause i like vanilla flavoured coffee!)

[Sketchy]

Re: Coffee syrups

Hi Bree
Dont worry not all snobs are that bad, syrups can enhance the flavour of coffee in that if someone likes them then it has made it better for them. i use 7 flavours at work which my customers enjoy and i use them for specialty dessert coffees. i find there is no difference between useing a syrup than useing white sugar (except syrup has more flavour). the most popular at my cafe is choc then hazelnut, vanilla, white choc, irish, caramel, gingerbread.

LE

PS you cant cover bad coffee with syrup, it will still taste like sh**. you have to build on good flavour and good texture.

[mbg963]

Re: Coffee syrups

Ok yeh good points... so syrups are for the weak or for shit baristas weve established yes?? lol (man u guys really make the new ppls (me) feel welcome...getting shot down lol cause i like vanilla flavoured coffee!)

I like milk based espresso drinks, some people add sugar to their espresso and others add hot water. How you prefer your coffee is a personal choice and that fact that you like vanilla syrup is neither here nor there and nobody here would flame you for that The basis of any good coffee, no mater how you like it is a good espresso. What Wushoes was pointing out was that the strong flavour of syrups can be used to hide poor espresso.

I know if I walked into a cafe that was big on syrups I would be doubtful that they cared about getting the base espresso right. The trick may be to try a coffee without a syrup at a known good cafe then decide whether you like it plain or with a dash of vanilla. If you still prefer a dash of vanilla then thats your choice and Im not going to knock you for that. 8-)

Cheers,

Matt

[pie_in_ear]

Re: Coffee syrups

Ok yeh good points... so syrups are for the weak or for shit baristas weve established yes??

I like milk based espresso drinks, some people add sugar to their espresso and others add hot water. How you prefer your coffee is a personal choice and that fact that you like vanilla syrup is neither here nor there and nobody here would flame you for that    The basis of any good coffee, no mater how you like it is a good espresso. What Wushoes was pointing out was that the strong flavour of syrups can be used to hide poor espresso.

I know if I walked into a cafe that was big on syrups I would be doubtful that they cared about getting the base espresso right. The trick may be to try a coffee without a syrup at a known good cafe then decide whether you like it plain or with a dash of vanilla. If you still prefer a dash of vanilla then thats your choice and Im not going to knock you for that.  8-)

Those are some rich assumptions!!!!!

Some people think that adding milk to espresso is a crime.

My baristas put heaps of effort into their shots, their milk, and the entire drink. If somebody wants a vanilla latte, they get the best damn vanilla latte ever. It is an achievment to balance the flavour of espresso, syrup, milk to make a blanced drink. I find the biggest problem with syrups is that some brands are too sweet or have chemical aftertastes. There are some good syrups on the market. I dont drink them myself, but they have a place if used well.

[mbg963]

Re: Coffee syrups

Those are some rich assumptions!!!!!

Maybe, but if I walk into a cafe and see a blackboard full of descriptions of the wonderful flavoured coffee drinks available and I have to search hard to find the price of standard espresso drinks Ill probably turn my ass around and my assumptions and I will go elsewhere.

Some people think that adding milk to espresso is a crime.

True, and that was the point I was making.

My baristas put heaps of effort into their shots, their milk, and the entire drink. If somebody wants a vanilla latte, they get the best damn vanilla latte ever. It is an achievment to balance the flavour of espresso, syrup, milk to make a blanced drink. I find the biggest problem with syrups is that some brands are too sweet or have chemical aftertastes. There are some good syrups on the market. I dont drink them myself, but they have a place if used well.

Thats why next time Im in Maroochy Ill be dropping by Ill take a Cap but will also buy a macchiato or espresso because it is a safe bet that it will be as good as it gets and Ill be able to experience more intense flavours compared to an espresso with milk and unlikely to cop a bitter mouthfull. Similarly it would be a good idea for Bree to try a drink with syrup and one without at a good establishment to see if the flavouring is really needed when the drink is made well.

Just my 2c.

[bree]

Re: Coffee syrups

Thanks Matt...yeh ive tried a couple of plain lattes and stuff and some have definately been better than others. Im aiming to get my shots better atm and i seem to be getting a good crema but it is still a bit bitter? is this me or the beans im using?

[Dimal]

Re: Coffee syrups

Gday Bree,

These are among the best of the various makes of Coffee Syrups out there and I believe one of our Site Sponsors - CosmoreX Coffee - is a retailer for them. Drop him an email or call him and Im sure Attilio will be able to advise you on which one(s) to get,

Cheers,
Mal.

[askthecoffeeguy]

Re: Coffee syrups

I used to be dead set against coffee syrups, mugs, up-sizes etc until I became the owner of a coffee shop, and then I realised that whole sections of the market place were not being catered for in these areas, or those that did provide flavoured coffees, did a pretty ordinary job of doing so.

I use Alchemy cordials at my work, theyre made locally (in Qld), theyre an excellent product, and the LUC is about half that of many inferior (IMHO) products

I think that a big problem with the syrups is that people tend to be too heavy handed - as a rule of thumb you just need enough syrup to flavour the drink - not too drown it!

Besides, I cant see the difference between adding sugar to your coffee and adding syrup anyway

What I an tell you though is that we go through over a dz bottles of the stuff on a good week, and that makes my bank manager very happy!

Cheers,

Pat

[stevenkylie]

Re: Coffee syrups

I think that a big problem with the syrups is that people tend to be too heavy handed - as a rule of thumb you just need enough syrup to flavour the drink - not too drown it!

Here Here!

The problem is though (for me anyway) is that if you dont DROWN the coffee in syrup, the uneducated buyer of the Vanilla Latte or what ever almost has a fit and says "I asked for a Vanilla Latte!"

Its a matter of finding that balance and giving the consumer what they want!

AND A BIG THANKS TO STARSUCKS for the evergrowing demand for coffees that dont dont taste like coffee... WEIRD!

Steve

[CherryRipe]

Re: Coffee syrups

Just to add my two cents worth....

I Love Vanilla Lattes! But.... If the coffee is crap, prepared crap or in anyway crappy, the vanilla doesnt hide it!

I hate getting a burnt Vanilla Latte, not only do you get yucky coffee aftertaste but the vanilla will add an extra ick factor to the whole thing.

[coffee_con]

Re: Coffee syrups

i think syrups are a good substitute for sugar

[rmoulynox]

Re: Coffee syrups

Woah old post!