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How to Make Latte Art
How to Make Latte Art
I remember being a teenager in my home town of Riverside, California, hanging out at my local coffee shop every weekend. Pouring mochas and being a barista using a manual machine always intrigued me and I found it was a great way to connect to a customer. Handing off a latte can be a powerful form of nonverbal communication. When I pour a heart, rosetta, or tulip for someone, seeing a customer’s smile is the best part. The making of latte art on top of coffee is different every time, and it makes the connection to the customer feel more personal.
However, latte art is not just a skill one develops as a barista. It takes concentration, time, and practice. The first step is having decent equipment. An espresso machine needs to be able to be powerful enough to create a micro-foam type texture without burning or stretching out the milk too much. More than just milk, you need good coffee to create latte art. Weaver’s Espresso Blend Coffee forms thick crema which is perfect for pouring and houses much of the aroma and flavor for a drink. After you have your espresso and milk ready, you want to start pouring the milk so that you sink while the crema of the coffee rises to the top. About two thirds filled, you stop pouring and slowly go back in so your milk is now sitting on top with your crema. You can vary pouring speed, wrist movement, and stop/start techniques to create different designs in the beverage. It just all takes practice!
How to Make Latte Art: A Step-by-Step Guide
Latte art is the process of creating patterns and designs in the foamed milk of a latte. It is a skill that takes practice to master, but with a few simple steps, you can start creating your own latte art at home.
What You Need to Make Latte Art:
- An espresso machine
- A milk frother or steam wand
- A latte cup
- Whole milk
- Espresso
Steps to Make Latte Art:
- Steam the milk. Heat the milk until it is between 140 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The milk should be frothy and have a glossy sheen.
- Pour the espresso. Pour two shots of espresso into a latte cup.
- Pour the milk. Hold the milk pitcher at a slight angle and pour the milk into the espresso, starting in the center and working your way out. As you pour, move the pitcher back and forth to create a design.
Tips to Make Latte Art:
- Use whole milk for the best results. Whole milk has a higher fat content, which helps to create a richer and more stable foam.
- Make sure the milk is steamed properly. If the milk is not steamed hot enough, it will not be frothy enough to create latte art. If the milk is steamed too hot, it will be too runny and difficult to control.
- Practice makes perfect! The more you practice, the better you will become at creating latte art.
Basic Latte Art Designs:
- Heart: To create a heart, start by pouring the milk into the center of the espresso cup. As you pour, move the pitcher back and forth to create a heart shape. To finish, lift the pitcher up and create a small dot in the center of the heart.
- Rosetta: To create a rosetta, start by pouring the milk into the center of the espresso cup. As you pour, move the pitcher back and forth in a zigzag motion. To finish, lift the pitcher up and create a small dot in the center of the rosetta.
- Tulip: To create a tulip, start by pouring the milk into the center of the espresso cup. As you pour, slowly move the pitcher back and forth in a circular motion. To finish, lift the pitcher up and create a small dot in the center of the tulip.
Once you have mastered the basic designs, you can start to experiment with more complex designs. There are many resources available online and in libraries that can teach you how to create more advanced latte art designs.
Additional Tips for Making Latte Art:
- Make sure your espresso cup is clean and dry. Any grease or residue on the cup will make it difficult to create latte art.
- Use a spoon to break up any large bubbles in the milk before you pour it.
- Pour the milk close to the surface of the espresso. This will help to create a more defined design.
- Be patient and practice regularly. It takes time and practice to master latte art.
With a little practice, you will be creating beautiful latte art in no time!
CLICK BELOW TO SEE A VIDEO OF OUR COFFEE ROASTERY IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.
Vincent Distrola Latte Art
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