Once an incomprehensible skill known only by a few baristas, latte art is now invading the homes of many. Latte art is all about making patterns in the foam topping of your espresso drinks. Millions of videos and photos of leaf pattern called the ‘Rosetta’, swans and flowers have been posted on websites such as CoffeeGeek, Youtube and Rate My Rosetta. But keep in mind that latte art cannot be treated as past time which can be mastered in a couple of days. Moreover, it’s certainly not for those with shallow pockets or weak wills.
The two most important components of the latte art process are:
• Nicely polished milk: Milk texturing is also considered an art in itself. Once you have mastered this art, which only takes a few hours, you will notice that your latte art will come out very fine.
• Coffee Bean: For a polished masterpiece, you must be able to produce an espresso that is rich and full of creme. Also, to get a lot of foam, the milk you use should be very high in fat content.
Steps for making latte art:
• In the steam pitcher, put one cup of milk. The steam wand should be put at the bottom of the pitcher. After, you have turned on the steam; raise the steam want till it is almost at the top of the milk. With the milk rising, the pitcher should be lowered so that the wand is at least 1 cm far from the top. Make sure not to stretch the milk too much as this would create bubbles.
• The milk should be allowed to reach 27 degree C or 80 degree F. Put the wand in the milk and position the pitcher in such a way that it spins counter clockwise. Keep going on until the temperature of the milk reaches 150 to 160 degree F.
• To attain a velvety texture, the milk should be allowed to settle for at least a few seconds.
• Now start pouring the milk into espresso. For a heart pattern, the pitcher should be shook in a to and fro motion, keeping your hand around the same area, trying to make a ringed circle.
• Keep continuing till the foam reaches at the top. Now, the rest of the milk should be poured up at the centre of the pattern that you have newly created. To prevent the pattern from sinking, use very little amount.
• Lastly, decorate the pattern using powder, milk foam or stencils.
