As you may know, latte art is defined as the technique of creating designs on coffee , whether it's a cappuccino or a latte. It's one of the most famous hobbies or professions in the coffee world. We all want to learn how to make latte art. This is done using properly textured milk. Choosing the type of milk is important because it influences how you froth your skim or whole milk. Whole milk is sweeter and produces more foam, while skim milk is simpler and creates a lighter foam. The important thing is to always practice with the same type of milk.
Latte art has become very popular in every coffee shop and is basically a must-have drink on every menu. Creating different shapes and preserving a good flavor is something every barista should master, which is why it's important to know how to steam milk. Therefore, it's essential to learn and master steaming milk with your coffee machine.
The importance of knowing how to steam milk
Steamed milk gives coffee a richer, velvety texture, making the first sip very pleasing to the palate. You already know that well-prepared coffee is a delicious beverage, but when you hone your creativity and talent, you'll create a variety of drinks with a more unique flavor. You also know that latte art is for people with sweet, smooth tastes, who like coffee, but not its bitterness.
Types of milk
It's important to know what type of milk you need when steaming. Not everyone is good at steaming milk. It's an art form that takes a long time to perfect, just like latte art. To achieve quality latte art, you must know how to choose the right type of milk. It's recommended to always use whole milk, which should always be cold, since only in cold milk do bubbles form when using the espresso machine's steam wand. A latte is composed of three layers. The first layer is 50% coffee, the second 30% milk, and the third 20% foam.
Steps to steam milk for latte art
- You must have your espresso ready. Place 10 grams of ground coffee in the filter and tamp it down well with your coffee tamper.
- The milk must be cold.
- Pour the cold milk into your steel jug. Fill it ¾ full.
- Purge the lancet (milk steaming tool) to ensure that no water droplets remain in the steam wand.
- The tip of the lancet shouldn't go all the way down. It should stay on the surface to make the milk creamier.
- When the milk reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit, move the steam wand to the side of the pitcher's ear in a circular motion.
- Stop steaming the milk when it reaches 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the pitcher aside. The milk will likely have three layers. At the top, you'll find regular milk that isn't foamy, in the center, you'll see rich, velvety foam, and on top, you'll also see a super-light foam that's too light for latte art.
- If you mix the three layers, the bubbles disappear. You can do this by gently tapping the pitcher on a bar and using it in a circular motion. Once this process is complete, you can begin making latte art with the coffee.
- As a final step you must clean the steam tube, that is, purge the lancet.
With these recommendations, you can start practicing at home. Always remember to keep these tips in mind. You can also use videos to support yourself, and if you want to improve further, the best thing to do is take a latte art course at your favorite barista academy. The most important thing is to always practice, and you'll reach your barista goals faster.