Recipe Testing and More!
Hello everyone!
As we dive deeper into our journey at Moon Rabbit Cafe, I wanted to share an update on the progress. It's been an exciting few weeks filled with menu creation, recipe testing, and getting familiar with my new espresso machine.
Crafting the Menu
Creating a menu that reflects our mission of showcasing rich Asian comfort foods and flavors is the main focus right now. As far as drinks go, I’ve decided to add fruit tea to the menu thanks to a suggestion from a close friend! As a result I’m getting ready to start experimenting with flavors. Right now I’m hoping to keep it minimal but with a lot of room for customization. It’s been difficult to be patient while waiting for supplies to come in. I’m mostly waiting on the loose leaf tea and then I can focus on brewing methods to figure out the most efficient method while still brewing a great drink!
On the other hand, recipe testing for food items has been a lot more difficult. One of the biggest reasons being the heat. The weather makes me not want to cook at all in fear of turning my apartment into a sauna. It’s a struggle for sure! Once things cool down I’ll be able to work more on it. I’m hoping to start getting supplies to perfect a baozi recipe. I’m planning on having two fillings: plant based bbq mushroom, and classic ground pork. Hopefully the weather becomes more bearable soon!
Espresso Machine Magic
Aside from working on tea and the food menu, I finally was able to purchase a small home espresso machine. It’s by no means anything fancy or expensive, but I’m really happy with it!
I was also able to buy espresso beans from the company I plan on purchasing from once the cafe is open, and I am a big fan. I’ve already almost ran out!
To be honest, even though I love going out for coffee and do so at least twice a week, this was my first time ever making a latte myself. I started with just three Torani coffee syrups; vanilla bean, bourbon caramel, and pumpkin spice. I decided to start with Torani since it was cheap, accessible, and is basic enough that I can focus well on honing my skills. I also bought some cheap matcha but I do kinda regret that purchase since the quality was a bit bad. My latte art at first was just a blob of foamy milk but two weeks have passed and I think I’m starting to do pretty good! I’ve also purchased chocolate, white chocolate, and toasted marshmallow syrups from Monin and it was a game changer. The mocha with marshmallow syrup was a big hit and I’ll definitely be making it again.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, I definitely want to redesign the drink menu! There are so many things I want to add and adjust and I think everyone would really enjoy what I have planned. I’m also planning on hosting a small party to get some feedback on the drinks!
As I continue this journey, I appreciate the support and enthusiasm from the community. Stay tuned for more updates as Moon Rabbit Cafe comes to life! Together, we’re all a part of this meaningful adventure, and I can't wait to share our comforting plates and cups of joy with you.
Until next time!
