The HH has had his fancy espresso machine for about a month now and well, let’s just say he still hasn’t quite figured out the whole latte foam thing. Or rather, he knows how to make the foam… he just doesn’t know how to pour it.
He’s tried… many times, but for some reason, just can’t make the pretty pictures on top of his coffee {or my tea} like the way they do in coffee houses.
Yes there are bigger problems in life, but still.
Here are some of his latest creations.
If you squint really hard {and have one heck of an imagination} you might be able to see E.T. with his long arm stretched to his feet and wearing a wig.
This one could either be a plump witch, or a melting snowman.
A squirrel sitting upright, air kissing a bee with pollen floating overhead. This was my interpretation anyway.
The atomic bomb.
I have no idea.
The Girl gave latte art a try and on her first go, made a very artsy and very obvious bird portrait.
And on my first try, I made a simple heart. Granted neither The Girl nor I are going to win any awards or anything, but still, I’m beginning to think you’ve either got it or you don’t.
Have you mastered the art of latte art? Was it hard? Do you have any tips or tricks for the HH? Because I think he could seriously use some. 😉
Hey! It’s Friday, and we’re supposed to finally get some snow tonight! Yee-Haw.
Have a great weekend everyone,
~Mavis
Virginia says
I think HH could be considered the Jackson Pollock of the latte. 😉
Cindy Goller says
This is the BEST response to that post! Jackson Pollock of the latte
Mavis Butterfield says
I think you’re right. 🙂
Mrs. C. says
Practice, and watching YouTube videos.
Meg C says
Picture #7 looks like a manatee to me! lol
I agree with the YouTube suggestion & would add to that … maybe a coffee date & he can pick the brain of a barista?
Overall, though, if the beverages are yummy & he’s having fun it’s a win even if he hasn’t mastered the artistic piece yet.
Lynne says
No idea on how to do latte art – my coffees are ‘finished’ with a splash of milk from the fridge. I do think I see a manatee in that seventh photo, though!
Jennifer says
I saw ET, but he wasn’t waving!! My 22 yo son, who can cook anything basic wanted to surprise me and make a cake of cornbread in my cast iron skillet, the one my Daddy gave me and his mama gave him from her collection when he got married in 1960. My point is this skillet is almost 100 years old and none of my children ever thought about moving it, much less using it.
I come in the kitchen Christmas afternoon and there sits a golden brown cake of cornbread. I’m mad because I thought somebody went and bought it, but d’s is standing there with a goofy grin and says he made it. Now, he’s relatively handy with directions and a recipe, but we all know this is a few steps further. I ask him how?!? His response? YouTube!!!!
Results – everyone said it was as good as mine (that’s fine – I use the back of the bag recipe from Martha White) AND, and this is a big AND, the video taught him how to clean the skillet!!!! My daddy once fired a housekeeper who put it in a sink to soak so I was afraid he did the same, but no.
YouTube – it’s not just for funny videos.
Jennifer Jo says
Nicholas has been working on this, too! (And one of his friends is OBSESSED.) He’s getting better. . . slowly. . .
Holley says
I see a fire breathing dragon in picture five! And, in picture seven, I see Nemo and his daddy!!! I think you’ll just have to keep using your imagination with the HH’s foam creations!!! Hope you get your snow!
Melonie K. says
#4 could also be a Storm Trooper – and #7 is “clearly” a race car and some exhaust clouds. Beep beep! 😉
I have no clues or tips – but the pictures are fun. Like cloud gazing!
cat says
Maybe look for a class on it offered from a local coffeehouse. One of the places does that where i live and i can’t wait to try it!
Margo says
These sort of remind me of Rorschach ink blots. I love my lattes; espresso, cappuccinos, London Fogs, and yesterday I made a Vanilla Chai tea latte for the first time. The only requirement for the foam for me is that there’s enough of it. Love the artwork, but just not able to actually do it. ( I kind of like the manatee one)
Nancy H says
It might be his foam. There is an art to getting the milk the right consistency. I steam just under the surface to 100 degrees before I plunge the wand in the rest of the way. This makes nice small bubbles. Then when I begin the pour I tip the cup a bit. But yes watch YouTube videos. I am not the best artist but I can do a leaf.
Lana says
What I saw on a cooking show at a coffee house-steam the milk until it sounds like ripping paper. Then the spout of the frothing pitcher was almost in the coffee when it was being poured.
Debi says
This video might help
https://www.youtube.com/@coffeefusion
Katie says
I used to be a barista–the fineness of the bubbles matter…but almost more so is the kind of pitcher you’re using to steam the milk. it’s more difficult to get the precision pour needed for latte art with a cappucino pitcher (no spout) vs. a pitcher with a spout. You want the pitcher with the spout and high-fat milk to make the tiny bubbles. It’s REALLY hard to make art with non-dairy milk, though possible!
Katherine says
There are quite a few YouTube videos for latte art.
Brianna says
This is not easy, but once you figure the technique it is suddenly easy and will be easy every time. Toothpicks are not a good tool, use a smaller flat tip screwdriver and designate it for culinary purposes only. It is also easier to hold onto. Also the temperature of the foam (too hot or too cold or too much temperature variation within the foam) and the size of the air bubbles make a difference (the bigger the bubbles the harder to work with). The angle of the pour should be with you mug at almost 45 as you pour. Also if you try using a milk alternative it does not work. It takes practice and patience, but with the proper tool, right milk temperature, right foam bubble size, and a proper pour it will come. I learned from a barista friend at his coffee shop while I was killing time between my two jobs back in the day. Every time someone ordered a hot beverage to stay with foam it would be beautiful as he was naturally super artistic and he made it look so easy.
Kim says
I really quite like his atomic bomb.
sandyf says
https://keancoffee.com/latte-art/
I worked at my friends bakery and we used only Kean Coffee ( the best) here is their famous latter art. Strats with the perfect espresso pour. Great folks. And they taught us all!
enjoy.
Shawn La Favers says
The “I have no idea looks like Nemo”
Dianne says
1. wispy, pointed clouds
2. a few pine trees nestled on the ground
3. I can see E.T – but I also see some monster from a child’s movie
4. yes, melting snowman
5. Teddy Bear or fat foot
6. a face with a neckline of a shirt/dress or an x-ray
7. frog
8. I see the bird or a fish with a cool fin on top in an aquarium
9. Nice heart- but, look to the right side of the heart – I see a Hound Dog
HH made a good attempt. I am surprised they don’t have step by step instructions on YouTube!
Janet says
Mavis, “I don’t know” is clearly Nemo from ‘Finding Nemo’ for me.