Full question
I’ve made the Cappuccino Pavlova many times and everyone loves it, but bought what I thought was espresso powder last time and it turned out to be freeze dried granules which didn’t work. I’ve been looking for powder but can’t find it anywhere.
Our answer
Nigella's Cappuccino Pavlova (from NIGELLISSIMA) is a coffee-flavoured meringue that is topped with whipped cream. The meringue gets its coffee flavour from espresso powder, which is very fine powder ground from beans that have been used to make coffee and are then dried and ground. The beans are ground so finely that they dissolve instantly in hot water.
You should still be able to find espresso powder in some UK supermarkets or on line, though availability can vary. In the last couple of years "microground coffee" has become popular and can also be found in the coffee and tea section of supermarkets. This is a similar product and could be used as an alternative. As well as mainstream brands, some supermarkets have own brand microground coffees. Microground coffee can also be bought on line. If you can't find either espresso powder or microground coffee then you could use 2 teaspoons of pure coffee extract instead. Add the extract to the meringue after all of the sugar has been whisked in.
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