Latte Art

[Niko]

A new section for Latte Art videos.
If you guys have any, please post here

I'll start off with a Cafe Breva, half and half is used instead of milk for a Cappuccino. It has to be thick and creamy which is the reason for the 1/2 and 1/2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49pUx0ZUz64

[michael]

are the steaming temperature and technique for the half and half the same as for the milk

[Niko]

You have to change the technique slightly for the half and half.
The stretching time is much shorter, otherwise you'd end up with nothing but rich, creamy foam which is perfect for a Breva anyway. The result in this video clip was OK, sometimes I like to go almost straight to texterizing (without stretching) to get a thinner microfoam for better latte art. I think a little more foam tastes better for this type of coffee.

[zoey]

I made a video just for you Niko

Isn't my best work, but all I had in the fridge was diet cow juice (skim milk).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADaD-5HIJCM

[Niko]

Man, that's a sweet pour!
I love using large cups for fat leafy rosettas.
Very cool indeed
Keep 'em coming
Can't wait to see an Alessi pitcher in your videos, Zoey.

It would be cool to embed the video clips into this forum.
Chas, is there a way to do this with the current software?

Anyways, more video pours to come, stay tuned...

[Weska]

Well done, zoey. You make it look effortless.

Is that a French-style cup, i.e. no handle and more like a soup bowl?

[Niko]

Wes, you should upload a video clip of your etched latte art
You had some pretty nice stuff on that other thread a while back.

[zoey]

Is that a French-style cup, i.e. no handle and more like a soup bowl?

I was looking around for some unique cups when I found those dipping bowls at Target. Believe it or not, they don't get too terribly hot in the hand, and they were something like <$5.00/bowl. They had some that were a yellowish/gold on the inside, but I thought the bluish/green color had a better contrast to the espresso (boy doesn't that sound all Martha Stewart ).

[Niko]

Yes Martha...(ahem) I mean Mr. Zoey

[zoey]

I decided to throw in a 20A outlet in the kitchen today. Let me tell you, this is the cat's meow! Now I can steam and pull shots at the same time! I don't know why I waited so long to do this.

[JohnB]

This is my Latte "cup":

113-1398_IMG.JPG (79.77 KiB) Viewed 29915 times

It's big, measures just under 5" across. Found it at Sal's.

And it's Italian! Anyone recognize the manufacturer?

113-1397_IMG.JPG (47.98 KiB) Viewed 29913 times

[Weska]

Maybe, Niko, maybe. I'd have to learn how to upload to YouTube or equivalent. And I'm so backward that I still don't see any point in facebook.

[Niko]

It looks like an IPA style, John.
Nice cup

[bluesman13]

howdy,

I've been away since my vivaldi went into storage last year. I love this thread but I couldn't help but notice that Niko hasn't been around since Jan. He's like the Forum Ambassador!

Is he ok? Has anyone heard from him? I hope he didn't go over to the "dark side" (starbucks)!

Steve

[bluesman13]

no niko news? anyone?

[JohnB]

We exchanged a few emails back in April about roasting but nothing since then. He has a brutal commute since he moved & was pretty busy with work.

[bluesman13]

thanks for the reply John. I miss his posts.

[CaliforniaJed]

I've been at it for just a few weeks with the Spaziale. Here's today's pour -- not my best but not my worst! Would really like to see some new posts here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJOxKzPpmg

[CaliforniaJed]

Here is this morning's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOj_ZPxZ-Y&feature=youtu.be

[Endo]

That's amazing for only a few weeks practice. Some people have been doing it for years and don't come close to that.

Your milk looks perfectly prepared. Congrats on that (it's the hardest part).

I see you are free pouring as well. Most beginners place the cup on the table and lift one side (this makes it more steady and accurate). You can then raise or rest the pitcher on the edge of the cup as well. Again, for even better accuracy.

[CaliforniaJed]

Thanks Endo. I should clarify that i am a novice with the Spaziale but I did have a HX machine for a couple of years prior, though in truth my latte art was terrible with it because I had difficulty steaming with that particular machine.

I did try pouring into a cup on the table with the Spaziale but I found free pouring to be easier. I'm still very inconsistent, but I can feel consistency (and better pours) just around the corner!

[BobUSN]

Looks good Jed!