I found myself doing a little calculation the other day.
How much money have I actually saved since I stopped craving coffee from cafés?
In pounds, ringgit and dollars, because apparently, I needed to know just how much I used to spend on something I could now make at home. 😂
Don't get me wrong. I still love a good café.
There's something lovely about finding a quiet corner, ordering a cup of coffee and watching the world go by. Sometimes, it's not even about the coffee. It's about having somewhere to sit, think and enjoy a little time to yourself.
But lately, I've noticed that I don't long for it quite the same way anymore.
Maybe it's age. Maybe it's the quiet comfort of home growing on me. Or maybe I've simply reached that stage in life where going out for coffee feels like more effort than making one myself.
And partly, I think it's because I've finally figured out how to make coffee at home that tastes just as indulgent as the ones I used to splurge on at cafés.
Without leaving the house. Without queuing. And definitely without paying café prices every single time.
When Home Starts Feeling Like a Treat
I used to associate a good cup of coffee with going somewhere.
A favourite café. A particular barista. That lovely smell of freshly brewed coffee when you walk through the door.
These days, though, some of my favourite coffee moments happen right here in my kitchen.
Sometimes it's after the morning rush, when everyone has finally left the house. Sometimes it's in the afternoon, when I need a little break from whatever I'm working on.
I make my coffee, find somewhere comfortable to sit and enjoy those few minutes before life gets busy again.
Nothing particularly exciting.
And perhaps that's what I love about it.
Maybe it's what happens as we grow older. Peace begins to look less like a place we need to visit and more like a moment we learn to appreciate.
A quiet kitchen. A warm cup in our hands. A few minutes when nobody needs anything from us.
It's ordinary, yes.
But it feels enough.
Alhamdulillah. ❤️
My Little Thermomix Coffee Trick
Now, here's the practical part.
One of the reasons I've stopped buying café coffee so frequently is that I've been making my own warm, frothy milk using my Thermomix.
And it's ridiculously easy.
You don't need a separate milk frother, and you don't need to stand over the stove heating milk.
I simply pour the milk into my Thermomix, set the temperature, time and speed, and let it do its thing while I prepare my coffee.
The result is warm, lightly aerated milk that makes my everyday coffee feel a little more special.
Is it exactly the same as the silky microfoam made by a professional barista with a steam wand? Not quite. But for my everyday homemade coffee, I'm more than happy with it!
How I Make My Coffee with Thermomix
Makes: 1 generous cup
Preparation: About 5 minutes
Suitable for: TM6 and TM7
What You'll Need
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210 g milk (adjust between 200–220 g depending on your cup)
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1 shot of espresso, or 1–2 teaspoons of instant coffee
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A little hot water if using instant coffee
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Sugar or your preferred sweetener, optional
Step 1: Prepare Your Coffee
Brew one shot of espresso directly into your favourite coffee cup.
If you're using instant coffee, that's perfectly fine too! Add 1–2 teaspoons of instant coffee to your cup and dissolve it in a small amount of hot water, just enough to cover the coffee powder.
Step 2: Heat and Froth the Milk
Pour 210 g of milk into your Thermomix mixing bowl.
For my usual cup, I use:
5 min | 80–85°C | Speed 3
This is my preferred setting for warming and lightly aerating the milk.
The amount of foam will depend on the type of milk you're using, its starting temperature and how much milk is in the bowl.
If you're preparing more than one cup, you may need to adjust the heating time. There's no need to increase the speed automatically, though; start with Speed 3 and see how your milk turns out.
A little tip: For a creamier result, I prefer using whole milk. Barista-style oat milk can also work nicely, although different brands produce different amounts of foam.
Step 3: Pour and Enjoy
As soon as the Thermomix finishes, carefully pour the warm milk into your prepared coffee.
I usually pour it straight away, without stirring, and enjoy it while it's still warm.
That's it!
A comforting cup of homemade coffee with very little effort.
A Few Things I've Learned Along the Way
You don't necessarily need to heat milk to 85°C to make a lovely coffee. In fact, many baristas prefer milk at around 55–65°C, where it can taste naturally sweeter and is more comfortable to drink.
My 80–85°C setting is simply how I like my milk when I want a particularly hot cup of coffee. If you prefer a gentler temperature, try 65–70°C and adjust the heating time as needed.
Also, don't expect the Thermomix to produce exactly the same foam as a café steam wand. It's a different method, and that's okay.
For me, the appeal is the convenience of making a warm, comforting coffee without needing another appliance.
And remember to stay within your Thermomix's maximum filling level, particularly when heating milk, which can foam and expand.
So, How Much Have I Actually Saved?
This was the question that started the whole thought process. 😂
Let's say a café coffee costs £4 and a homemade cup costs approximately 60p, depending on your beans, milk and other ingredients.
That's a difference of £3.40 per cup.
If you replace five café coffees a week with homemade ones, you could save approximately:
£17 a week.
£73 a month.
£884 a year.
Of course, these are just illustrative figures. Your savings will depend on how often you buy coffee, local café prices and the ingredients you use at home.
And I'm certainly not suggesting we should stop supporting our favourite cafés.
I'll still happily treat myself to a good coffee when I'm out.
I just no longer feel the need to leave the house to enjoy one.
Perhaps the Real Luxury Is Having a Choice
The funny thing is, I started thinking about the money I'd saved, but ended up thinking about something else entirely.
How much our idea of a treat changes as we grow older.
There was a time when treating myself meant going somewhere, buying something or making an occasion out of an ordinary day.
Now, sometimes, it's simply being home.
Making a coffee exactly how I like it.
Sitting down for a few uninterrupted minutes.
And realising that I already have what I need to enjoy the moment.
Maybe that's the real luxury.
Not having to go somewhere to feel content.
Just learning to appreciate where we already are.
Alhamdulillah for the little things. ☕️
Have you tried making your coffee with Thermomix? I'd love to know how you make yours! And if you're new to TM6 or TM7, you can explore more of my cooking tips and tutorials here on Thy Cook.
Happy cooking (and coffee-making)!
Mai ❤️
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