Latte Art Basics

The Milk

Good micro-foam is the foundation of latte art. You want silky, glossy milk with no visible bubbles. Start the process by letting air in for a few seconds and creating a whirlpool to break in the bubbles. When you hit the 60–65°C, turn off your wand, clean it up for next use and let the milk sit for a second. If there are bubbles, tap the jug gently on the bench while covering it to avoid spilling it. Give it a few spins to make sure it looks like ‘wet paint’ and you are ready to pour.

The Pour

Start a few inches over the mug and slowly (this part is vital) get the milk under (also vital) the cream. Don’t spin the jug and milk the crema with milk, instead keep it steady as we want to preserve the cream. Half way through, adjust your angle and speed to create a pattern.

Practice Tips

You can practice latte art with water and a drop of dish-washing liquid to train and experiment without wasting milk. It also gives your steam wand a good clean, win-win.