Many agree that making good espresso is an art, but latte art refers to patterns made in the foam topping espresso drinks.To make these designs, you need to make sure that your milk is steamed and your espresso has great crema.You'll be able to make art in the foam in no time.
Step 1: Cold milk should be put into a pitcher.
If you want to make latte art, chill the metal steam pitcher for 30 minutes.Pour cold milk from the pitcher into the spout.This will allow the milk room to expand and foam.If you have a 12-ounce pitcher, pour 10 ounces of milk into it.Whole milk is easier to steam than skim or low-fat milk.
Step 2: Put the steam wand into the milk pitcher.
Take the steam wand away from you and turn it on for a few seconds.Milk may be stuck in the wand and this will clean it.Lower it to the bottom of the pitcher.The steam wand should point towards the back of the pitcher.
Step 3: The steam wand should be turned on.
As soon as you put the steam wand into the milk, turn it on.If you want to check the temperature of the milk, put a thermometer on the pitcher.The wand should be near the top of the milk.The milk should be moving quickly.
Step 4: Milk can be heated until it reaches 140 to 145 degrees F.
The steam wand needs to be lowered back so it's not close to the milk.There should be no big bubbles in the milk.Microfoam will be created instead of stiff foam.The steamed milk is made up of many tiny bubbles.This makes it easy to make art out of milk.After you've turned off the steam wand, the milk will continue to heat up.If you heat the milk you will increase the risk of burning yourself.If you get used to steaming milk, you won't need a thermometer.You can usually tell the temperature of the pitcher with a little experience.
Step 5: The steam wand has to be turned off.
Take the temperature out of the steam pitcher.You can swirl the foamed milk on the counter to get it ready for pouring.If there are bubbles in the foam that make it hard to pour, you should swirl the milk.
Step 6: Remove the steam wand.
As soon as you've finished heating the milk, wipe the steam wand with a wet cloth.For a few seconds, turn the steam wand on completely.Milk can be left inside the wand.If you used a thermometer, wipe it off.
Step 7: Do the espresso and make sure it is strong.
Take 7 to 8 grams of espresso for each shot.It will take about 30 to 40 pounds (13 to 18 kilograms) of pressure to press down evenly on the grounds.If the portafilter is hot, leave the espresso to sit for a long time.This could cause a fire.To figure out how hard it is to press down on the portafilter, you can use a bathroom scale.
Step 8: The shot should be pulled.
The portafilter needs to be put into the espresso machine.It will take a few seconds for the espresso to come out of the machine.Before you turn it off, give the double shot about 21 to 24 seconds.There is a creamy foam at the top of the shot.This is the final resting place of the dead.You should be able to start the espresso and steam the milk at the same time with a little practice.The espresso and steamed milk will not sit for long.
Step 9: If you want to practice your shots,Troubleshoot.
Before you make latte art, you may need to pull shots of espresso.If the espresso is taking too long to get into the cup, you may have packed the portafilter too tightly.If the espresso pours into the cup immediately after you start the shot, you may need to use more espresso.
Step 10: The espresso should be used right away.
Slowly pour the espresso shots into a wide-mouthed serving cup or mug to keep the crema on top.The crema will make your latte art stand out.You won't get much definition in your designs if you let the shot sit for too long.There is more space for your latte art in a wide-mouthed cup.
Step 11: Milk can be poured into the espresso.
The espresso is in your non-dominant hand.If you're holding the pitcher of milk in the other hand, tilt the cup about 20 degrees.When the cup is half full, pour steamed milk directly into the espresso.The goal is to keep the rich crema on top.It will be difficult to create latte art if you pour too quickly.
Step 12: Bring the pitcher to the cup.
If the cup is half full, you can tilt it back until it's straight up.The pitcher of steamed milk should be above the espresso.Some of the white microfoam can be seen in the espresso.You now have the ability to make a design.
Step 13: A heart design can be created.
Keep pouring until you see the white dot in the cup.A large white circle is what you should get.The milk should be poured through the white circle towards the other side of the cup.The milk is pulled through the circle to create a heart shape.The cup with the espresso is not the same as the milk and pitcher.You'll end up with a white blob if the milk is too dry or stiff.If you want the milk to be looser, try it again.
Step 14: There is a flower or tulip pattern.
When you see the white dot against the crema, stop pouring the foamed milk.Wait a second and then pour another dot.Continue until you're ready to pour the milk through the dots.This will make the dots look like leaves.The final dot is where you're making a little heart.The stem is the end of the heart.
Step 15: A rosetta design is made.
When you see the white dot of microfoam in the crema, use your wrist to gently rock the milk from side to side as you pour it into the cup.It is time for the white microfoam to fan out.The design is almost covering the top of the cup if you keep rocking the milk.You can pour the milk directly through the cup if you lift the pitcher up a little.You don't want to rock the milk into the cup with your whole arm.You will have less control over the design.
Step 16: A design or words can be put in the foam.
If you want to make your own patterns or art, drag a toothpick or skewer through the foam on the top of the latte.If your foam isn't made of delicate microfoam, this works well.You can use etching to make words.If you want to drag the toothpick through the foam, consider putting a syrup over it.This can make it easier to write.
Step 17: Art can be made with a stencil.
You can place the stencil over the latte.Lift the stencil by shaking cocoa powder, cinnamon, or a spice mix over it.The image of the stencil will be left on the latte.Thin plastic or wax paper can be used to make your own latte stencil.To cut away the design, use a blade.It's possible to set this over the latte.
Step 18: Chocolate is good for unique designs.
If you want to make a unique design, sprinkle some cocoa powder over the espresso in the cup.The latte will look darkly speckled if you pour the milk over it.You can use chocolate syrup to make swirls in the foam.Use chocolate syrup to draw webs, snowflakes, or flowers.