In this quick power-up training we explain how to pour a latte art heart. Below you'll find some short videos, followed by a step by step guide and some top tips for pouring with alternative milks like oat milk and soy milk.
Before starting latte art training, you should be familiar with how to steam milk for lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos. You can learn more about this in our milk steaming power up here.
This introductory video shows how to pour steamed milk of different consistencies for lattes and cappuccinos.
Add fresh, cold milk to a clean jug.
Steam the silkiest milk you can. Check out our how to steam milk power up for tips on how to do this.
Swirl the milk jug immediately before you start the pour.
Keep the jug high above the cup and pour slowly into the centre of the espresso with your cup at a 45 degree angle towards the jug.
Height is important at this stage as you want to milk to pierce the top of the crema as your pour into the cup.
When your cup is about 1/3 full, you want the milk to sit on top of the drink and form your latte art.
Lower your jug, bringing it closer to the espresso, the spout of the jug should be touching the side of the cup.
Allow a circle of white foam to form in the crema.
Now you should have a white circle of milk forming in your cup.
To turn this into a heart, straighten the cup as it fills, following this motion with the jug.
Lift the jug then cut through the circle shape you have poured to create your latte art heart.
Practice makes perfect: It takes time and practice before you can consistently pour latte art. We practice with diluted milk and washing liquid to reduce wastage.
Master milk steaming: If you haven't steamed your milk correctly, you won't be able to pour good latte art. Take a look at our milk steaming power-up to learn how to do this.
Buy Barista or Professional milks: Barista or Professional alt-mylks are designed to be steamed. They have more protein (essential for micro-foam) and acidity regulators to stop the coffee's acidity disrupting the foam.
Chill: Chill your alt mylks before steaming, this gives you more time to structure the foam.
Stretch less: Stretch alternative mylks slightly less than dairy milk. Instead, allow it to rest a few more seconds before swirling, it will ‘thicken’ on its own.
Keep patterns simple: Fine lines can blur in steamed alternative milks, so keep the designs simple. We love hearts, stacked hearts and tulips.
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