Have you ever wondered how to create the perfect steamed milk?
Steaming Milk
The trick to creating foamy latte art is steaming the milk. Use semi-skimmed or whole milk for the best results.
To steam your milk start with the steamer just below the surface of the milk, then lower the pitcher to allow air to mix in, you will hear an occasional hiss, this is known as stretching the milk. If you lower it too far large bubbles will form, try to avoid this, it can get messy!
As the milk warms up raise the pitcher to stop adding air and hold it at an angle to create a swirling pattern. When the pitcher feels hot to the touch your steamed milk is ready, this is around 60ºc to 80ºc. Some baristas can tell by listening to the pitch of the steamer, other baristas can tell just by touch, if you’re unsure you can use a clip-on thermometer for this.
Turn off the steamer and remove the milk. Wiping the wand clean and purging once again, any professional barista will tell you the importance of keeping the steaming wand clean.
Tap the pitcher on the counter to disperse any large bubbles. You may need to swirl the pitcher if your milk has formed two distinct layers; to avoid this in future make sure the steamer wand is fully submerged.
Pouring Basic Latte Art
The trick to creating foamy latte art is steaming the milk. Use semi-skimmed or whole milk for the best results.
Take your pitcher and cup of espresso and begin slowly pouring the milk from a fair distance; do this in a circular motion so it incorporates and mixes in well.
As you reach half way bring the pitcher closer to the surface of the latte, this layer will not mix in and incorporate. To create a pretty heart design start on the side furthest from you and create a white circle. Once you reach the other side quickly drag the pitcher back across the cup to create a heart shape.