Beginners learn how to make latte art: introduction to latte art and selection of tools (detailed explanation)

Latte art is a variation on the original cappuccino or latte.

There is no clear documentation about the origin of coffee latte art. We only know that in Europe and America, coffee latte art was a highly difficult professional technique displayed during coffee performances. Such innovative skills and high-difficulty techniques greatly shocked the coffee industry at the time and attracted public attention from the beginning. Everyone was deeply attracted by the magical and gorgeous skills of coffee latte art.

At that time, most of the attention paid to coffee latte art was on the presentation of patterns. However, after a long period of development and evolution, coffee latte art is not only visually oriented, but the methods and techniques of blending the smooth taste of milk have also been continuously improved, and then the overall taste has reached the so-called realm of color, aroma and taste.

Latte Art

There are two main ways to make coffee latte art

Free Pouring

Use skilled techniques to control the height of the milk jug, shake the milk jug at different amplitudes and speeds to create different patterns on the coffee.

Etching

Add milk foam, sauces and other things on the surface of the coffee, and use sharp objects such as toothpicks or thermometers to draw various patterns. This method does not require much skill, just creativity, and you can make beautiful coffee.

Apparatus and Materials

1. Coffee beans and coffee machines

Coffee is needed for latte art. To make latte art, you need espresso, which can be made with an espresso machine or a moka pot.

2. Bean grinder

To make the coffee fresh, the beans must be freshly ground. If you use an espresso machine, you might as well buy a better bean grinder. Bean grinders are durable products and can outlast several coffee machines. If you use a coffee pot, a hand-cranked grinder is sufficient and is also suitable for other brewing methods.

3. Milk foam

Next is the milk. There are three ways to make milk foam:

Steam from an espresso machine

Milk frother

Milk Frothing Stick

4. Latte art pot

There is also the latte art pot. You can choose different sizes according to the steam pressure of each coffee machine and the amount of coffee made each time. Generally, a 0.3L/0.35L or 0.6L pot is OK.

Tool Kit

In general, if you want to make coffee latte art, you can choose the following tool combinations

Electric grinder + coffee machine + latte art pot

Electric/hand-cranked grinder + mocha pot + milk frothing pot + latte art milk pot

Electric/hand-cranked grinder + mocha pot + milk frother + milk art pot

How to choose and hold a milk jug

Milk jug selection

There are many types of milk jugs on the market. You can refer to the following points when purchasing:

Size: Common sizes are 300ml, 350ml, and 600ml. There are also larger sizes, but they are generally not needed.

The shape of the pot body - generally the bottom is a little wider than the top, but some are wide in the middle and narrow at the top and bottom. This is not conducive to making milk foam and is recommended for decoration.

The spout groove is divided into two types: long groove type and short groove type. The long groove can gather the milk foam, making it easier to control when pulling.

The shape of the spout can be divided into pointed, round, wide and narrow. Choose a round and wide one. It is best if the spout has an outward curve, as such a spout will make it easier to control the stability of pouring the milk foam.

Grips: connected and separated, round and square. Everyone's hands are different, so try them out.

But the most important thing is to choose a milk jug first, practice more, don't be fickle, just one milk jug is enough

Milk jug grip

Hold the handle with your thumb flat on it, and it will be more flexible if you shake it with your wrist.

Some people hold the top of the pot with their thumb and index finger. This method of holding makes it more difficult to control the stability of pouring milk, and it is difficult to pour out a balanced pattern.

Cups and Latte Art

Tall cup

A tall cup is a perfect match for thick milk foam. Using a tall cup gives you enough time to blend. Sufficient blending can make the coffee taste better and strengthen the formation of latte art, creating a clear latte art pattern. But the prerequisite is that the milk foam must be sufficient. Some people will only pour hot milk into the cup before it is formed and keep the milk foam for latte art at the end. This is incorrect. The crema will be dispersed, and the milk foam cannot blend with the coffee, which is not good to drink.

Short square bottom cup

The bottom area of ​​a square-bottomed cup is relatively large, which will lead to two phenomena:

Crema is relatively thin.

It is easy to cause turbulence when pouring milk foam.

Therefore, the cup is usually tilted, and after the milk foam is applied, the cup is gradually laid flat to make latte art (tilting the cup has another purpose, pay attention to the following chapters, you will find it if you are careful)

Short round bottom cup

This is a relatively easy-to-master type. Latte art is easier to create, but because the cup is shorter, the time required to create latte art is shorter than that of a tall cup.

Tips

Beginners are advised to first practice latte art with a short, round-bottomed, large-diameter coffee cup. Once you have mastered it, try other types of cups to get a feel for the differences.

The material of the cup is also very important. You should choose some good heat preservation, which is also very helpful in keeping the Crema and the finished product warm.

Can't find a short, round-bottomed, large-diameter coffee cup to practice with? Go to the kitchen and see if these adjectives are appropriate for your bowls. But be aware that bowls generally do not keep heat very well, so just use them as practice tools.