Impress your friends

There’s something undeniably satisfying about a perfectly crafted latte, especially when it’s topped with a beautiful design in the foam.

Latte art 101

Latte art isn’t just for professional baristas in fancy coffee shops; you can make stunning coffee creations right in your own kitchen with a little practice and the right technique. Whether you're aiming for a simple heart or something a bit more advanced, we’ll show you how to make frothy milk and try some basic latte art using your home espresso setup and The Beanery’s rich espresso blend.

What you’ll need:

Freshly brewed The Beanery espresso
Milk (whole milk works best for frothing, but you can experiment with alternatives)
Milk frother, steam wand, or handheld electric whisk
Pitcher for frothing
Espresso cup

Step-by-step guide to latte art:

1. Brew the perfect espresso

Before diving into the frothing and art, you need a good base: a perfectly brewed shot of espresso. Use your home espresso machine to pull a shot of The Beanery’s espresso blend. Make sure it has that rich, velvety crema on top—this will help your latte art stand out.

💡 A double shot is ideal for lattes, providing a stronger coffee flavor to balance the milk.

2. Froth the milk

The key to latte art is frothy milk that has a smooth, velvety texture, also known as microfoam. Here's how to get it right:

Using a steam wand:

Pour cold milk into your frothing pitcher (about one-third full).
Place the steam wand just below the surface of the milk and turn it on.
Tilt the pitcher slightly and keep the steam wand near the side of the pitcher to create a whirlpool effect.
As the milk heats up, lower the pitcher slowly to keep the wand just under the surface, stretching the milk. Once the milk reaches around 65°C (150°F) and looks creamy and shiny, turn off the steam and set the pitcher down.

Using a handheld frother:

Heat the milk until warm (not boiling) and use the frother to create bubbles.
Focus on getting small, fine bubbles rather than large foam.

💡 For perfect microfoam, you want the milk to have a smooth, paint-like consistency, no big bubbles.

3. Pouring the milk

Now comes the fun part: pouring the milk in a way that forms a design on top of your espresso. Here’s how to do it:

Hold your espresso cup in one hand and your milk pitcher in the other.
Start by pouring slowly from a little higher up (about 3-4 inches above the cup). This helps the milk blend with the espresso at the base.
As the cup begins to fill, bring the pitcher closer to the surface of the espresso and pour more directly in the center.
For simple designs like a heart, tilt the cup slightly and move the pitcher back as you pour.

4. Basic latte art designs to try

The heart:
This is the easiest design to start with. As you pour the milk in the center of the cup, keep the pitcher close to the surface and tilt the cup slightly toward you. A round shape will form—move the pitcher away at the end of the pour, and give it a quick pull-through to form the tail of the heart.
The tulip:
Start by pouring like you would for the heart, but stop midway. Then, move the pitcher slightly back and pour another smaller circle on top of the first one. Repeat a third time and pull the pitcher back quickly through the center to form the stem of the tulip.
The rosetta (leaf design):
This one is a bit more advanced but super impressive! Start pouring low, then gently shake the pitcher back and forth as you move down the cup. This will create leaf-like ripples. Once you reach the edge of the cup, pull the milk through to create the stem of the leaf.

💡 For more control, practice with water and dish soap in a pitcher to perfect your pouring technique without wasting milk and coffee.

5. Perfecting the microfoam

Latte art is all about the texture of the milk. If your foam is too thick, you won’t be able to pour it smoothly. If it’s too thin, it will mix into the espresso without forming any designs. Practice getting the milk texture just right—it should look glossy and feel smooth, almost like wet paint.

Troubleshooting tips:

Big bubbles in the foam? You might be frothing the milk too aggressively. Lower the steam wand deeper into the milk to reduce the amount of air introduced.
Foam sinks too fast? The milk might be too thin, or you might be pouring too fast. Slow down and ensure the milk is thick enough to hold the design on top of the espresso.
No design forming? If you’re not seeing any patterns, try pouring the milk closer to the surface of the espresso as you finish the pour.

Final thoughts

Latte art is a skill that takes time to master, but it’s a lot of fun to practice. With each cup, you’ll notice your pours getting smoother and your designs more precise. Plus, your friends will be seriously impressed when you serve them a coffee topped with a perfect heart or tulip! So grab your espresso machine, froth some milk, and get creative with The Beanery’s rich blends as your canvas.

Happy pouring, and may your cups be as beautiful as they are delicious! ☕🎨