In case you're wondering, we're not really marketing coffee drinks. LEAF Latte is simply the name I gave to this little creation that I enjoy most mornings. So what's "LEAF" about it? The honey! Having grown up in the southern United States, LEAF's local honey is far better than any I've tasted elsewhere. And I've had a LOT of honey. Anyway, instead of making you wade through ads and stories about my grandma, I'll cut to the chase and tell you how I make this little morning glory, which is equally great in the afternoon or evening. While lattes are traditionally made with espresso, you can make this treat with your favorite coffee. As far as cream goes, I prefer oat milk over 2% or whole milk due to how its flavor compliments the brown sugar you'll be adding to it. If you're near a Trader Joe's, you can get oat milk creamer already flavored with brown sugar and skip adding it yourself.
You'll also want to have a milk frother on hand. These you can get for only a few bucks on Amazon if you don't already have one. To begin, fill your mug either half full with espresso or two thirds full with regular coffee. In a microwave-safe cup or container, add four tablespoons of oat milk, a tablespoon of brown sugar, a tablespoon of LEAF's raw honey (more if desired), and a quarter of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Heat this mixture in your microwave on high heat for 20-30 seconds. Then use your milk frother to blend and thicken the mix. This will also keep the cinnamon from floating to the top in clumps.
An interesting fact about cinnamon is that most stores carry fake varieties. Popular brands of spices like McCormick are known for marketing synthetic ground cinnamon. Much like LEAF's honey, when you've had the real thing, you'll know it. And you'll likely no longer settle for knock-offs. So, the next time you're out shopping, look for cinnamon that was produced in Saigon. While McCormick does indeed have an organic variety of Saigon cinnamon, you have to wonder why they continue to sell the fake stuff.
Now that your creamy mixture is hot and thickened, simply pour it over your coffee to fill the mug. While you can use your frother to stir the cream and coffee together, only try this if your mug isn't completely full. Otherwise, you may end up with a coffee stain on your clothes and a spill to clean up. You actually don't need to stir it at all. But if you choose to, a slow gentle stir with a spoon will do the trick. When you're done, you can sprinkle cinnamon on top to make it look nice if you're serving a guest. Otherwise, there's plenty already in the drink. That's all there is to it! Let me know how you like it in the comments section.
Regarding LEAF's raw honey, you can order some directly from our LEAF Shop. Because we sold much of our honey during the Earth Day celebration in downtown Fremont, only the 24oz jars are currently available. That's a perfect size for sharing with your friends and family.
Enjoy!