Latte art has become a popular form of expression in coffee culture, allowing baristas and coffee enthusiasts to create intricate designs using steamed milk. Here are some useful tips about how to make Latte arts shapes from your home:
More stories:
Proper Milk Steaming: Achieving the perfect microfoam is key to latte art. Use a stainless steel milk frothing pitcher, and steam the milk until it reaches a velvety texture. The goal is to have tiny bubbles in the milk, creating a smooth and creamy foam.
Positioning the Cup: Tilt the cup slightly while pouring the steamed milk into the espresso. This angle allows the milk to blend with the espresso smoothly, providing a canvas for your latte art.
The Heart Design: To create a heart shape, start by pouring a stream of milk into the center of the espresso from a higher position. As the cup fills, lower the pitcher and gently wiggle the stream back and forth. The motion will guide the milk into a heart shape.
Steady Hand and Patience: Practice makes perfect when it comes to latte art. Be patient, and don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect. A steady hand and control over the milk flow will improve with time and practice.
Etching: For an extra touch of elegance, you can use a toothpick or a fine-tipped tool to create intricate details within the heart shape. Swirling patterns or additional accents can enhance the design and make it truly unique.
More options for latte art shapes:
Rosetta (Leaf/Fern):
Start with a small dot of steamed milk in the center of the espresso.
Pour a thin stream of milk slightly off-center and drag the pitcher's tip through the
milk stream in a back-and-forth motion to create the appearance of leaves or a fern.
Tulip:
Begin with a dot of milk in the center of the espresso, similar to the heart technique.
Pour a second dot of milk on top of the first one.
Create a thin stream of milk between the two dots and then draw the pitcher's tip through the center of the milk stream in a single line to form a tulip shape.
Swan:
Pour a small dot of milk slightly off-center, similar to the heart technique.
Pour two thin streams of milk on either side of the dot, curving them gently upwards and joining them above the dot to create the swan's neck and head.
Pour a slightly larger stream below the dot and then drag the pitcher's tip through the center to form the swan's body.
Bear:
Start with a large dot of milk in the center of the espresso.
Pour two smaller dots on top of the large one to create the bear's ears.
Pour a thick, elongated stream of milk below the center dot and drag the pitcher's tip horizontally through the center to create the bear's snout and mouth.
Use a toothpick or etching tool to add eyes and other details to complete the bear design.
Apple:
Begin with a large dot of milk in the center of the espresso.
Pour a smaller dot of milk above the center dot to create the apple's stem.
Use a toothpick or etching tool to draw a small leaf shape next to the stem to complete the apple design.
Diamond:
Pour a small dot of milk into the center of the espresso.
Pour four thin streams of milk from the center dot, forming a square shape.
Connect the corners of the square with slightly curved lines to create a diamond shape.
Remember, creating latte art in more intricate designs may take some practice, so don't be discouraged if your first attempts don't turn out perfectly. The key is to control the milk flow and maintain a steady hand while pouring and shaping the designs. With time and dedication, you'll be able to impress your loved ones with an array of visually stunning latte art creations. Happy pouring!
Dan Lapid, Head of Training at Landwer Coffee company.