How to Create Latte Art | Sen By Prodigal

How to Create Latte Art | Sen By Prodigal

Want to learn to make latte art from your own home? Find out how you can use an espresso machine and steamer to transform your espresso drink into a work of art. 

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While making good espresso is an art in itself, you may have also come across latte art if you like your coffee with milk. Latte art refers to the designs and patterns formed in the foam that tops espresso drinks. 

Making quality latte art does not just involve adding regular milk to coffee. The two key ingredients are a fresh shot of espresso with a sufficient amount of crema, as well as properly textured steamed milk (known as microfoam). 

We thought it might be helpful to create a guide for beginners who want to try basic latte art designs at home, and to share a few useful tips as you embark on your latte art journey!

 

What you need to make latte art 

To make latte art, you must have the ability to create the silky steamed milk which can be done using an espresso machine with a steam wand (or the use of various milk frothing devices available in the market). The ability to create that silky milk foam that is needed for latte art boils down to a consistent heating element, powerful steam pressure to introduce air into the milk, and ease of use. This is why we suggest using an espresso machine with a steam wand! 

You will also need a pitcher (usually around 300ml if you are steaming 1 cup), a handheld thermometer, and a wide-mouthed, rounded coffee mug. 

The best milk for steaming is fresh whole milk – it creates a smoother, more velvety microfoam because it has the highest milk fat. For a vegan/ non-dairy alternative, we recommend oat milk which froths up better than any other non-diary milk, but note that it doesn't make the same quality latte art as full-fat whole milk.

 

What’s so special about microfoam?

Achieving the right microfoam is a major part of the process of creating good latte art. Microfoam is properly textured steamed milk that has very tiny, uniform bubbles. It should have a shiny and silky smooth texture that is similar to wet paint – this is what makes it easy to pour into art and make patterns. 

To create microfoam, baristas usually add steam to milk and then rapidly heat it, in a process called denaturing. Denaturing causes the physical properties of milk to be altered – the fat and sugars in the milk break down into smaller, simpler sugars that make the milk sweeter. 

It’s important to find a good balance of factors that results in properly textured steamed milk. Adding too much air or not integrating the air into the milk properly will give you a thick, rigid layer of foam on top that is not conducive to making patterns, while having too little air will result in no texture, which causes the art to break apart. 

 

How to make latte art

There are three basic phases of making latte art:

  1. Pulling your espresso
  2. Making the perfect steamed milk foam
  3. Pouring latte art with the foamed milk

 

Phase 1: Pulling your espresso 

1. Use an espresso machine to make two espresso shots.

  • Each shot of espresso should contain between 17 to 20g of ground coffee and yield about 35-40g of coffee.

  • Provide even pressure to tamp down on the portafilter till there is no more resistance when pressing down. 

  • The espresso extraction time depends on the type of coffee and various other factors (e.g. roast profile, grind size). However, as a general rule of thumb, an ideal shot is often pulled within 21 to 24 seconds. There should be a delicate and creamy foam at the top of the espresso shot, known as the crema.

    2. After this, pour your espresso shots into a wide-mouthed coffee mug to keep the crema on top.

     

    Phase 2: Making the perfect steamed milk foam 

    1. Pour cold milk into a chilled pitcher or milk jug, to just below the spout. It’s best to store the pitcher in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before you plan to make the latte art. The colder the milk, the more time you have to steam the milk, which will help you achieve the right microfoam texture and reduce the risk of scalding.

    2. Put the steam wand at the bottom of the pitcher, turn on the steam and then raise the wand slowly until it is close to the top of the milk. The milk should be swirling like a whirlpool. 

    3. As the milk continues to rise, lower the pitcher so that the steam wand remains about 1cm away from the top of the milk. The milk should not stretch too much, nor should there be any big bubbles. 

    4. Heat the milk until it reaches about 65°C. Depending on the tendency of your steamer, you may need to remove the milk from the steamer before it reaches the limit to keep the milk from scalding. 

    5. Once properly heated, turn off the wand and tap the pitcher on the counter to prepare it for pouring. Swirl the milk for 20 to 30 seconds to get rid of any large bubbles in the foam that could make it hard to pour. Remove the thermometer and wand from the milk and clean them with a wet cloth.

     

    Phase 3: Pouring the steamed milk

    1. Make sure that your espresso shot still has crema before pouring! If your shot is left out for too long, it will make it really hard to make good latte art. A general rule of thumb we engage in order to know whether we have a good shot to pour with, is if we can see the black portion of the espresso just under the crema.

    2. Hold the coffee cup in your non-dominant hand and tilt it about 20 degrees towards the pitcher of steamed milk. The pitcher should be about 10-12cm above the surface of the espresso. Slowly pour the milk at a steady speed directly into the espresso until the cup is about halfway full, swirling to incorporate the milk, and creating a milk canvas. If you see white streaks form on your milk canvas, that can indicate that you are pouring too close to the surface. 
    3. Once the cup is half full, lower the pitcher to right above the surface of the espresso and pour faster by tilting the pitcher. You can start making your latte art design once you see the white microfoam float at the top of your espresso. Remember that you are moving the pitcher, not the cup with the espresso. As you pour from the pitcher, start tilting your cup back parallel towards the floor. 

    4. For a heart design: A heart is the simplest design to start with. Once you see the white dot of microfoam in the cup, keep pouring right into the center of the mug until a large, white circle forms. When you’ve almost filled the mug, simultaneously lift the pitcher, and pour the milk through the white circle towards the other side of the cup – this will pull milk through the circle to create a heart shape. Alternatively, you can also pull a toothpick through the middle of the circle to create the heart shape. 

     

    Common mistakes made when making latte art 

    • Pouring the milk too slowly: This will cause the milk to separate in the pitcher, resulting in less-aerated milk pouring into the espresso and the foam being left behind in the pitcher. 

    • Lifting the pitcher away from the surface of the espresso when pouring out your art: This causes the milk to sink under the milk canvas rather than resting on top of the crema to form your latte art. 

    • Starting to pour the milk too close to the slides of the cup: This will cause milk to shoot around the edges and can break the crema. At the start, you should focus on pouring into the center of the espresso, which will push your design down slightly towards the edge of the cup.

     

    Practice makes perfect!

    Latte art is a complex process to master because of the specific quality of steamed milk required. To pour good latte art, you will need to achieve the perfect milk texture and know how to control the flow of the milk. Keep practising until you’re able to make each design with better control!

    If you’re a beginner struggling with latte art or a professional barista wanting to learn how to make more intricate latte art designs, we recommend taking in-person coffee courses to ensure that you have the fundamentals mastered and to also get feedback from our instructors. Our instructors are skilled baristas and coffee professionals with real-world experience, and will ensure you gain relevant, hands-on skills that reflect the craft  of being a barista today.


    Here are some of our barista courses that may help you on your latte art journey:

    Barista Basics

    • Participants will learn the fundamentals of espresso extraction, milk steaming, milk frothing and basic latte art through practical sessions using an espresso machine and grinder
    • Duration: 3 days (2 hours/day)

     

    Latte Art Course

    • Building on the fundamentals of latte art, participants will grasp more complex designs and free-pouring techniques through practical sessions.
    • Duration: 2 days (2 hours/day)

     

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    Your Coffee Journey Starts Here!

    At Sen by Prodigal Co, we are dedicated to providing training and mentorship for all coffee enthusiasts, and fostering a passion for quality and excellence in specialty coffee. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you can find basic to advanced level courses to hone your skills and add to your training in coffee making. 

    With the skills acquired from our courses, you can also potentially secure a job placement at one of our cafes under Prodigal.  

    For our barista courses and modules, see Barista Courses

    For our courses on coffee brewing techniques and methods, see Brewer Courses

    For our advanced modules and more comprehensive courses, see Coffee Academy

     

    About Sen

    At Sen by Prodigal Co, we have a curated range of barista courses and modules that are ideal for aspiring baristas who are looking to develop essential barista skills and knowledge in the craft of coffee-making, for use in an espresso bar or at home. 

    Like a small forest amidst the concrete jungle, sen is a space for people to take unhurried time to learn something new, to rekindle a passion once forgotten, giving your worn-out heart a hug, and to perhaps find a sense of belonging within a community.

    It started with a simple vision, and a group of passionate folks eager to bring to life what they love to do most as well as creating a space to share knowledge and skills to others.

    We started this space with one intention in mind: To create a space that fosters creativity!

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