Make your own latte art

If you thought coffee was just a hot beverage, you'd be wrong - it can now also be a sophisticated choice of cocktail, and even an art - latte art to be precise.

To find out more, we recently partnered with Nespresso at an event held at the Waterloo Tea (and coffee) shop in Cardiff. Here, Barista Simon gave a demonstration of latte art to a group of coffee loving bloggers and then let them loose to have a go at creating their own. Watch the video from the event to find out more:

What is latte art?

Thought to have started in Italy, latte art is a method of pouring milk onto a shot of espresso and then creating a pattern on the surface from the crema (formed by the mixture of coffee oil from the espresso and the foam of the milk).

Milk it:

To create your own latte art you need to make the perfect crema. There is a debate as to which milk makes the best froth. Some say skimmed as it holds its froth for longer because of the low fat content but the main rule is that it needs to be fresh as the protein in the milk creates the frothiness.

If you are using a coffee machine which has a frother:

•    Use a stainless steel jug which conducts heat better and fill it to just under half full with cold milk
•    Create a good amount of foam in the milk by tipping the jug and gently bringing the steam wand up as the foam is created

If you do not have a 'frother' heat the milk in a pan to just below boiling point. Once the milk is hot, put it in a large cafetière and pump the plunger 10-15 times until you have plenty of froth. Alternativley you can purchase a frother to to the hard work for you.

Tips for pouring:

•    Once the milk is heated pour the espresso shots into coffee cups
•    Before pouring the milk give it a few taps to remove bubbles
•    Use a wide mouth cup
•    Hold the cup at a slight angle
•    Start in the centre of the coffee

You can find more tips and lots of inspiration for latte art embellishments and patterns online. You'll also find more demos on YouTube.

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