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name: creating-latte-art
description: Creates detailed latte art designs and provides step-by-step guidance for milk steaming and pouring techniques. Use when designing coffee art, teaching latte techniques, or improving espresso presentation.
---

Creating Latte Art

Basic Heart Pattern:

1. Steam milk to 140-150°F with microfoam consistency of wet paint
2. Start pouring from height of 3-4 inches into center of cup
3. When cup is 1/3 full, bring pitcher close to surface
4. Pour steady stream into center, creating white circle
5. At the end, quickly draw pitcher through circle toward rim

Milk Preparation:

• Use cold whole milk (3.25% fat) for best texture
• Purge steam wand and wipe clean
• Insert wand just below surface, turn on full steam
• Create microfoam for first 3-5 seconds with paper-tearing sound
• Plunge wand deeper to heat milk to 140-150°F
• Tap pitcher and swirl to integrate foam

Pouring Technique:

• Hold cup at 45° angle
• Start pour from 3-4 inches high into deepest part of cup
• Maintain steady, controlled flow
• When cup is 1/3-1/2 full, bring pitcher close to surface
• Increase flow rate for contrast and definition
• Finish with specific pattern movement

Common Patterns:

• Heart: Central pour + quick forward strike
• Rosetta: Side-to-side wiggle while moving pitcher back
• Tulip: Multiple stacked heart shapes

Example 1: Heart Input: 6oz latte in wide cup Output: Single heart centered in cup with clear white contrast against brown crema

Example 2: Rosetta Input: 8oz cappuccino with thick microfoam Output: Leaf pattern with 5-7 segments, symmetric design flowing toward handle

Example 3: Tulip Stack Input: 5oz cortado in small glass Output: 3-tiered tulip with decreasing circle sizes, finished with central line

• Espresso quality matters: Fresh, properly extracted shots with golden crema
• Milk temperature: Never exceed 160°F - scorches milk and destroys sweetness
• Pitcher control: Use pitcher with narrow spout for precision
• Practice consistency: Master basic heart before attempting complex designs
• Cup selection: Wide, shallow cups (5-6oz) are ideal for beginners
• Contrast is key: Proper microfoam creates white-on-brown definition

• Oversteaming milk: Creates thick, bubbly foam instead of silky microfoam
• Pouring too fast initially: Breaks through crema and muddies design
• Wrong pitcher height: Starting too close eliminates ability to penetrate crema
• Inconsistent flow: Jerky movements create uneven patterns
• Cup angle too steep: Causes milk to pour to back of cup
• Old espresso: Crema dissipates, making contrast impossible
• Wrong milk fat content: Skim milk lacks body, heavy cream too thick