Step 1: Prepare the coffee

Make an espresso with high-quality beans. It is important to have a good espresso machine to guarantee a drink that showcases the aromatic attributes of the coffee and produces a stable layer of crema on which the emulsified milk, used to make the latte art design, can rest.

The espresso is obtained by forcing a pressurized jet of hot water through a layer of seven grams of finely ground coffee for 25 seconds, yielding 30ml of concentrated coffee.

Step 2: Emulsify the milk

Cold whole milk produces a better cream, which is made up of microfoam and serves as the base for the patterns. These tiny bubbles are covered by milk proteins that hold the structure of the microfoam. The colder the milk is, the more soluble the air is with the milk, and so the easier it is to form lots of small bubbles and obtain a smooth surface.

How to emulsify the milk:

1. Fill a jug halfway with milk.
2. Purge the steam wand to get rid of any condensed water.
3. Position the wand one millimeter above the milk and one centimeter away from the side of the jug.
4. Turn the steam wand on fully to aerate the milk and cause a vortex.
5. Monitor the temperature so that it does not exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, use your hand to gauge how hot the milk is: turn off the steam wand just before it scalds you.
6. Remove the milk jug, purge and clean the steamer with a cloth.
7. Swirl the jug in a circular motion to mix the microfoam in with the liquid.
8. Pour the milk over the espresso until the cup is full.