coffeewithaman's Top 10 Picks for the Perfect Latte

I love this machine because it has its own built-in grinder, so I get fresh coffee every time! I wish this had a dual boiler, though, because you could make the espresso and steam the milk at the same time if it did. Sometimes I find my espresso cools down a little bit by the time I'm done steaming the milk. 

This machine is so worth it though; I use it almost everyday and hardly ever go to coffee shops anymore. It's easy to clean; which is great, because it's important to keep it clean and immediately clean the steam wand after every use. 

It's also beginner friendly, though it can be confusing at first. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy. This isn't my first espresso machine, but it's the best one I've ever had! P.S: the YouTube tutorial videos are a huge help.

This is my favorite flavor of syrup; I pick vanilla every time! The problem with these bottles are that they don't come with a pump, but you can easily buy one. 

I find this brand makes amazing flavors; the vanilla especially is not too sweet! You can easily control how sweet your coffee gets. I use 1-2 pumps because I like the flavor, but I don't want it to overpower the coffee. 

These are the additional pumps you need for the syrup I previously mentioned. I like them because it's less waste than including a pump with every syrup bottle. I tend to get the same flavor, so I just switch out the bottle when it's finished. 

I do find that the syrup sometimes hardens at the tip, so I do a quick wash with hot water. Like I said ,since I get the same flavor, I haven't had issues with the taste changing when I switch it out. I'm sure you would if you went from vanilla to chocolate, though, so I recommend giving it a thorough wash.

These are very important to get great tasting coffee. These help filter the water in the machine so you don't get a weird or bland taste.


You have to change them out every few months, which can be a process, but it's worth the effort to the great flavor you get from the latte in the end. I like to buy these since they're the same brand as my machine.

I love this bean blend because it is a medium roast and I find medium roast beans taste the best in lattes. The flavor isn't too strong or too weak. This is usually the bean I use for my own lattes, but I'm also trying new flavors every now and then. 

I love storing my coffee in this. It's air tight and there is no light that gets in. That makes the coffee beans last longer. I do find my beans taste better longer since I've had this! I used to use a clear container, but the beans lose their flavor, and sometimes it's hard to get a good shot of espresso out of them.

My espresso machine has a little light that lights up when it's time to clean it. These tablets help keep your machine clean and therefore last longer. If I were to drink one latte a day, this machine would probably go off every 2-3 months. It's really easy to use these! 

I'm totally into this new reusable drinkware trend. I think it's great especially if you drink coffee a lot. I like this one because it's the perfect size for me. I don't drink much coffee in the morning, so I don't need a big size. 

I use it a few times during the week when I have to go places in the morning. I've had it for a few months, and it travels great and is easy to clean! 

These cups are the perfect coffee mugs for everyday use. They are also great for guests, too! They don't stack well, though, because of the handle. I would only stack two at a time. 

These definitely do break if you drop them though; I've had a few casualties! They are easy to clean and are great for other uses like tea and hot chocolate - not just coffee. 

These are what I use when I make my iced coffee. I like the pour the espresso shot into this instead of directly onto the ice. If hot espresso comes into contact directly with ice, it can turn bitter.

So, I make it into this and let it cool a bit before pouring it into a glass with my milk and ice. These are super easy to clean, and since they have double walls, they are never hot to touch. If you like the look of a glass cup but don't want to get burned, I'd recommend these.