When I started my training as a restaurateur on the beautiful Tegernsee in the 90s, I quickly learned the two most important things in everyday café life: outside there are only pots and the cappuccino is filter coffee with a thick layer of cream.
Today, luckily, things are very different and this madness is (mostly) over. People still serve pots, but these days they are called French presses and they make a really delicious filter coffee. The cappuccino, on the other hand, is a completely different story - no more coffee with cream! Today, there is a gentle espresso with a creamy milk topping, poured into the most beautiful shapes. The cappuccino has wings or a swan is happily making its rounds. But we are particularly fond of the classic heart and many customers like it so much that they ask themselves: how does it actually work? And what is latte art anyway?
I'll tell you - enjoy reading!
What is latte art?
The decoration of espresso with foamed milk originally comes from Australia and was used for flat whites. Since this was incredibly well received in Europe, the baristas of many cafés quickly began to decorate all kinds of coffee and milk specialties. This creative method of making espresso a masterpiece not only in terms of taste but also visually is the supreme discipline of every barista! It is the perfect balance between espresso and milk foam and therefore a real challenge in café operations to always achieve perfect little works of art - but for those who are experienced, it is no problem.
Learn Latte Art: A Step-by-Step Guide
Rolling, letting it brew, tapping the milk, hissing - sounds funny? Well, these are the common terms used to describe the art of latte art. You could fill novels with this, but what does it look like in practice? The good news first: anyone can learn latte art. The not so good news: you have to practice a lot. So here's a little guide:
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Prepare a single or double espresso
This is the basis of every latte art. Only in a velvety espresso can beautiful pictures be poured.
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Froth milk
You always start with cold milk. This is then heated to 60 degrees Celsius. You can use a thermometer to start with, but later you can find the perfect pouring temperature with your little finger on the jug. Tip: Hold the steam wand on the espresso machine at an angle into the milk. This will cause the milk to "spin" as it heats up and allow enough air to get in. This will make the milk nice and creamy. If the layer of foam is too thick, you won't be able to pour anything into the espresso.
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Pour milk into the espresso
Now pour the creamy milk into the espresso. To do this, the milk jug must be held at the optimal angle to the cup. First, the slightly more liquid milk should go into the middle of the espresso, then the slightly creamier part is used to pour the pattern.
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Designing patterns
To pour patterns or images into your cappuccino, you need to gently move the pot back and forth. Play with the height of the pouring stream. To then pour the coveted heart, you need to get very close to the espresso with the milk jug and "press" the milk into the crema.
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Practice, practice, practice
Latte art isn't something you learn casually. Experiment as much as you can - and nobody can resist a delicious cappuccino!
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Use the Internet
There are numerous videos, blog posts, forums, etc. that deal exclusively with latte art. Here you can get valuable tips and learn from professionals!
More tips from the professionals: In our seminars!
Of course we look forward to welcoming you to our seminars on the art of latte art ! Here, in small groups, you will learn everything about coffee, grinders, machines and how to pour latte art. In 3 hours, we will give you all the important know-how, and you "just" have to put it into practice at home. But the feeling of pouring a heart into a cappuccino for the first time - indescribable!
And which coffee is particularly suitable for latte art?
To practice, you should definitely use 100% Arabica espresso. The crema is not too thick and the milk foam can be poured into the shape easily. With a high Robusta content, the crema is thicker and the pouring technique becomes much more difficult!
Otherwise, you can use any type of espresso. Whatever you like! The best thing to do is to get our espresso bundle . This way you can not only try our delicious espressos, but you also have enough material to practice with!
Is there anything I need to consider when using milk for latte art?
Yes, definitely! Not all milk is ideal for painting perfect shapes in a cappuccino. The decisive factor is the fat and protein content. Fat carries flavor. A cappuccino with 3.5% fresh whole milk tastes better than a low-fat cappuccino with 0.1% long-life milk. To achieve the perfect pouring consistency, you need a protein content of at least 3.4%. This is actually stated on every milk carton, usually on the back.
Why should I learn latte art?
First of all, it's pretty cool.
There are many other reasons, besides the obvious visual appeal. I'll just name a few why you should definitely learn latte art:
- Latte art really improves the quality of the drink. The optimal milk-espresso ratio with the perfectly tempered milk really brings out the aromas.
- The guests in every café that offers latte art are happier . A beautiful latte art not only tastes good to the palate, but also to the eyes. It is an experience that appeals to many senses.
- By mastering latte art, baristas can bind their customers to the café . With individual designs, tailored specifically to customer wishes, the barista becomes a wish-fulfiller, who of course is always happy to visit. Conversely, cafés are also actively looking for baristas with latte art knowledge - this way you can assert yourself better on the job market and get a job at your favorite café.
- And also important: At home, you can always put a smile on the faces of your loved ones, friends and family with latte art and start the day perfectly.
Who creates the most beautiful latte art?
The current world championCarmen Clemente . She comes from Italy and beat the competition with two designs she created herself. Be sure to watch how precisely and beautifully she can pour a cappuccino!
The World Latte Art Championships take place every year and the respective national winner is allowed to take part in the competition. The next World Championships will take place from November 17th to 20th in Taiwan - it's worth getting excited about!
Conclusion
Latte art is not just a nice decoration on a coffee. It is an expression of creativity, love and dedication, as well as real craftsmanship. It takes a lot of time, absolute concentration and a steady hand to learn latte art. But the reward is simply wonderful: the absolutely radiant expression on the faces of customers, friends and loved ones. So grab your milk jugs and come to our seminar to become a master of latte art! I look forward to everyone who will immerse themselves in the exciting world of latte art with us and will definitely not want to leave any time soon!
Your Kaffeebrewda