If you’ve ever been handed a coffee with beautiful latte art, you’ve probably wondered how these skilled baristas do it. The truth is that it takes a lot of practice, patience, and the right instruction. So, if you’re keen to boost your latte art game, this article is for you. We’re going to explore some of the common latte art mistakes that people make and how you can avoid them.
Using the Incorrect Milk Temperature
One common latte art mistake is using milk that’s either too cold or too hot. For successful latte art, the milk should be heated to between 55-65°C. Making your milk too hot can cause milk proteins to break down, affecting the quality of the microfoam. Similarly, underheating your milk also results in unstable foam that’s not suitable for latte art.
How to fix: When practising, always use a thermometer to check your milk temperature. Keep it between 55-65°C, and you’ll find your latte art designs much easier to create.
Improper Milk Frothing
Microfoam is a crucial ingredient for all latte art, but many baristas make the mistake of frothing the milk instead of creating microfoam. Ideally, the microfoam should have a velvety, smooth texture, which makes it easier to create latte art. If you’re struggling to create microfoam instead of froth, follow the tip below.
How to fix: Position the steam wand just below the surface of the milk to introduce air into the mix. Then, slowly and evenly lower the wand to heat the milk, rather than creating froth. The microfoam should have tiny air bubbles when done correctly.
Inconsistent Pouring Speed
An inconsistent pouring speed often results in latte art errors, and it’s a tricky part of the process to master. However, the speed at which you pour the milk into the coffee has a significant effect on the end result.
How to fix: Start with a slow, steady pour rate to introduce the milk to the brewed coffee. Then, pour slightly faster as you create the shape of your design. Pouring speed and angle are important, and it takes plenty of practice to master.
Forgetting to Swirl the Milk
If you froth your milk and go straight to pouring it into the coffee, you won’t achieve the best latte art results. After frothing, the milk should be swirled to mix the microfoam evenly with the liquid. This gives the milk its smooth, almost glossy appearance.
How to fix: Remember to always swirl the milk before adding it to the brewed coffee. This will give the milk the required texture to make great latte art.
Using Difficult Types of Milk
Not all milk is great for frothing, especially variations like almond, soy, or oat milk. Because certain kinds of milk have different frothing capabilities, it’s important to know what you’re working with. Full cream milk is ideal because its fat content creates a stable microfoam.
How to fix: While learning, always use full cream milk because it’s much easier to work with. Once you master latte art with full cream milk, start trying some alternatives.
Too Much or Too Little Milk
When creating latte art, you still need to focus on making a great-tasting coffee. If you use too much milk, it can weaken the coffee’s flavour. On the other hand, if there is too little milk, your microfoam won’t have the required texture for latte art.
How to fix: For a normal latte, use approximately one-third brewed coffee to two-thirds steamed milk.
Want to Become a Master of Latte Art?
If you’d like to take your coffee game to the next level, the team at Coffee School is here to help. We offer a series of barista courses to give you the skills and knowledge to kickstart a rewarding hospitality career that can take you anywhere. Our experienced instructors provide hands-on training and personalised guidance to help you perfect your latte art and overall barista skills.
At Coffee School, we understand that everyone starts somewhere. Whether you’re new to the trade or an experienced operator looking to refine your techniques, we’ve got courses to suit your needs. From learning the basics of coffee making to mastering advanced latte art designs, our courses are designed to elevate your coffee-making prowess.
Our barista and latte art courses cover a wide range of topics, including the science behind coffee extraction, proper milk frothing techniques, and the art of creating intricate designs. You’ll also get the chance to work with different types of milk and coffee beans, helping you understand how to adjust your techniques to achieve the best results.
By enrolling in our courses, you’ll not only gain practical skills but also the confidence to experiment and create your own unique latte art designs. Imagine impressing your friends, family, or customers with your beautifully crafted lattes, all while enjoying the rich, satisfying taste of expertly brewed coffee.
Don’t wait to elevate your coffee-making skills. Contact the team at Coffee School today and start your journey towards becoming a master barista. Ask about our barista courses and latte art courses and discover how you can turn your passion for coffee into a rewarding career. With our comprehensive training and support, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning latte art and delivering exceptional coffee experiences.
