FRONT BURNER: Floating discs add nice flavor punch to coffee

Topperfino in Paisley Pauline Caramel
Topperfino in Paisley Pauline Caramel

I'm generally not a fan of flavored coffee. I genuinely like how coffee tastes. I will drink (and enjoy) it black, but my preferred cup is tempered by a splash of cream or half-and-half -- just enough to give the coffee a little more body and to mellow it a bit.

That being said, I never turn down chocolate. So when I was offered a box of samples of Topperfino -- paper-thin discs of Belgian dark chocolate for topping hot beverages -- I couldn't resist.

Not only are the delicate drink toppers made of chocolate, they're printed with beautiful designs -- paisley swirls, polka dots, snowflakes, music notes, flowers, hearts, stripes and even sequins.

Flavors include dark chocolate, French vanilla, hazelnut and caramel.

Topperfino are $14 for a box of 10. For more information, visit topperfino.com.

The toppers work best with foamy beverages, as the tiny bubbles keep the toppers afloat while they melt. But you don't have to be a coffee drinker to enjoy these, as they're just as good melted over a mug of steamed milk. You could even add one to a bowl of oatmeal or top a warm-from-the-oven brownie or slice of pie or use them to decorate a cake or cupcakes.

I first tried the 25-calorie toppers on a latte I picked up from a coffee shop, with excellent results. The thin chocolate wafer started melting after about 30 seconds and slowly released its flavor into each sip. I also tried the the toppers with regular home-brewed coffee.

While I do own an espresso machine with frothing wand, I've never been a fan of it. For some reason, I can never get the steam pressure correct, and I end up shooting a stream of hot water into the milk I'm trying to froth. And, worse, they can be tricky to clean, which leads to an off flavor. Fortunately, there's more than one way to froth milk.

Battery-powered handheld frothers are available for less than $20 at almost any store that sells kitchen and home products. And they do a great job, but there are even lower-tech methods, too.

Regardless of which method you use, always start with cold milk.

The method to use depends largely on the type of milk you prefer. For low-fat and skim milk, all you need is a lidded jar and a microwave. Fill the jar no more than half-full with milk, screw on the lid and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Remove lid and heat the milk in the microwave to the desired temperature. Use immediately.

If you prefer something richer, such as whole milk or half-and-half, reach for a blender or mini-food processor. The higher fat content means you'll need more oomph to create bubbles that float. Place the desired amount of milk in the blender or mini-food processor and blend until foamy. Heat if desired. Use immediately.

These methods won't produce exactly the same quality of foam as you get from a steaming wand, but they do produce a decent substitute.

Food on 11/30/2016

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