How To Make A Latte Art

Latte art is the art of pouring steamed milk on an espresso shot. This article will help you make a latte art.

Preparing the milk is the initial step in Latte arts. First, pour milk sufficient for a cup on a steam pitcher. Put the steam wand at the bottom of the pitcher then turn the steam on, and slowly raise it until it is near the top of the milk. Carefully lower the pitcher as the steamed milk rises so that the steam wand stays a centimeter above the top of the milk. Be sure that the milk should not stretch too much because if it does, bubbles will start to form spoiling your steamed milk.

Allow the milk to reach a temperature around 27 degrees Celsius then place the wand on the side of the pitcher, deep into the milk. After, position the pitcher so that it can spin counter clockwise. Keep doing this until the milk reaches 70 degrees Celsius mark. Then shut the steam off and remove the steam wand and the thermometer from the milk. Clean them with a wet cloth after using.

Now, vigorously swirl the steamed milk but before you swirl it, let it settle first for a few seconds so that a velvety texture is achieved. The milk perfect for a latte art should be velvety smooth in texture compared to the crema found on top of the espresso. Swirl it carefully to prevent bubbles from forming on the milk. If you see any bubbles forming on the milk, pound the pitcher several times until the bubbles disappear then go back to the swirling of the milk for 30 more seconds. You can do this even while pouring the milk on the espresso.

Start making your latte art design by pouring the steamed milk on the espresso. Making a flower pattern would require milk pouring on the bottom part of the cup about an inch away from the bottom. Once the cup is half filled slowly move the pitcher backwards while shaking it back and forth. The design will move forward, and eventually filling the cup. You can do this with a shaking motion originating from the wrist instead of moving your hand back and forth to have a smoother feel.

Pour milk on the center of the pattern as soon as it starts to rise on the surface of the espresso. Be careful not to sink the latte art from over pouring.