14 August 2019

How To Master the Science of Perfect Latté Art

The average American spends $14 a week on coffee shops. That comes out to over $700 over the course of the year. But what can you do, right? You just can’t get delicious cappuccinos or lattes at home.

Or can you? Lattes are no longer just available at Starbucks. Homebrewing isn’t just a viable option; it’s actually a fairly easy process that anyone can do with a few simple tools and a basic level of insight. In this guide, we go over all the ways you can save money by brewing delicious lattes at home.

First: The Supplies You Need

Before we get to any brewing, it’s critical that you come prepared. Here are a few basic things you need to make a good latte at home:
  • Milk
  • Your favorite espresso beans
  • An espresso machine (the Breville BES980XL for example)
  • Coffee syrups (optional but recommended)
  • A milk steamer

The good news is that you probably already have these things at your disposal. The only tool that you might not have on the home front is a milk steamer, which can be purchased for a relatively low cost.
Now that you have all the stuff, let’s make some lattes!


Step 1: Brew the Espresso

Technically, espresso is supposed to be made in an espresso maker. However, you can cheat a little if you don’t want to front the cost and just brew it with your regular coffee pot. It won’t come out with quite the same consistency or flavor profile, but it will get the job done.

A word of warning: the first time you try this, be sure to monitor the situation closely. Some older coffee pots can’t handle the finer grind of an espresso bean, which may lead to a big mess on your hands.

Once the espresso has been brewed, move it to your latte cup immediately. If you would like to use a flavored syrup, now is the time to break it out.

Step 2: Steam the Milk

Now comes the time to steam the milk. The amount of milk used in a latte is mostly a matter of personal taste, though standard practices suggest that you use at least two shots worth of it. If you decide you want more than that, go for it. More power to you.

Step 3: Integrate the Milk Into Your Latte Cup

Now that the milk and the coffee have both been prepared, it’s time to combine them. Begin by adding two thirds of your steamed milk to your latte cup. When you are done, stir vigorously.

When the milk has been properly integrated, you can top the concoction off by spooning in the rest of the milk directly on top of your latte.

Iced Lattes

Lattes are also very enjoyable when served over ice. The brewing process is the same, with the only difference being that you put ice into your concoction before adding the final layer of foam.

Latte Art
If you have Instagram, you are probably also abundantly aware of the fact that many people use latte milk as an opportunity to show off their creative side.

Creating latte art is all in the pour. After you pour or scoop in your final layer of milk, gently scrape the unincorporated froth into the design of your choosing. Many people start small with hearts, flowers, or other basic design elements.

It’s not extremely easy, but with patience and practice, you should eventually be able to create designs that are worthy of your social media feed.

Conclusion

The latte is deceptively simple. Though it requires only a few basic ingredients, the eventual quality of the drink is almost entirely contingent on your technique. This means that you may not get barista-quality results after your first try.

Don’t get frustrated. Practice really does make perfect, and before you know it you will be making better (or at least less expensive) lattes than your favorite café.

First Image Credit
Second Image Credit