Marron Glacé Latte (Javy Inspired)

‘Tis the season to not go broke! Making an affordable and festive coffee creation at home is well within your reach. All you need is a handful of chestnuts and a bottle of Javy Microdose Coffee to make this unbelievable marron glacé latte!

Since the temperatures have started to drop, I’ve been seeing chestnut vendors on every street corner around town. While their cones of warm roasted chestnuts are enticing, I’m more drawn to the sweet and syrupy chestnuts found in pasticceria windows. It’s the love of these candied chestnuts, also known as marron glacé, that I decided to whip up a holiday-themed latte.

Also, don’t get me wrong when I say that I love the convenience of grab-and-go-options like Starbucks, but I kind of hate spending $10 on a coffee. Luckily, thanks to simple solutions like coffee concentrates, making your own coffee at home can be easy. This is especially true for cold drinks as concentrates won’t melt your ice cubes and water down your drink!

Anyway, this nutty latte is made using a homemade simple syrup because why not take advantage of seasonal ingredients?! The added flavour from roasting your own chestnuts will give this marron glacé syrup that extra infusion of roasty, toastiness.

Aside from making chestnut syrup, the rest is pretty straight forward—add coffee and steamed milk and you’ve got yourself a latte.

I do have to admit something, however. While I enjoy coffee, I’m by no means an expert. So if like me, you needed a refresher to help you tell the difference between a latte and a cappuccino, it’s this: cappuccino has an even distribution of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. In comparison, a latte also has espresso, but loads more steamed milk and a light layer of foam.

So if you want to feel festive from the comfort of your own home (and save a few dollars), give this latte a try!

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Marron Glacé Latte

* Makes 1 serving *

INGREDIENTS

For the marron glacé syrup

• 1 cup chestnuts, cleaned and cut

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 vanilla bean

For the latte

• 1 tablespoon Javy

• 1/4 cup hot water

• 3 tablespoons chestnut simple syrup

• 1 cup of milk (I used oat milk, but you can use any kind)

• Whip cream and sprinkles (optional)

METHOD

For the marron glacé syrup

1. Roast chestnuts for 20 minutes at 400° F. Remove them from the oven and cover with a damp cloth for ten minutes before peeling.

2. Put the peeled chestnuts back inside the oven to roast again for another 20 minutes at 250° F. Remove from the oven and set aside.

3. Dissolve sugar in the water over low heat. Turn off heat and add vanilla bean and chestnuts to infuse for at least 2 hours.

4. Add syrup and chestnuts to a sterilized jar and store in a dry, cool place.

For the latte

1. Steam milk, making sure to whisk until frothy for about 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. Add Javy, water and chestnut syrup to a glass and mix.

3. Slowly pour the steamed milk over top of the coffee and syrup mixture. Top with whip cream and sprinkles for a coffee-shop touch!