How to Make a Latte

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Want to make a perfect latte? Get the ingredients listed here and follow the steps, and satisfy your coffee craving right from your own home.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• 3/4 to 1 cup Milk
• Flavor if desired

Steps

1. Fill the metal pitcher with 1 cup milk, or 3/4 cup if using a flavor.
2. Place thermometer securely inside the pitcher.
3. Steam milk betweem 165ºF and 175F. It will scorch above 180ºF.
4. The steam wand should be inserted diagonally just below the surface of the milk. This will create froth necessary for a good latte.
5. When frothing make sure you are creating rotational flow in the steam pitcher,once the temperature of the milk is warm to the touch, raise the steam pitcher to cease frothing and continue to heat to temp indicated above.
6. Tamp the ground espresso into the portafilter firmly, lock it into the group head on the espresso machine. Start the shots running immediately.
7. Pouring shots is an art form: A perfect shot has a fluid heart, minimum body and a small helping of crema or foam on its surface. A perfect shot is pulled inside of 21-24 seconds, with the espresso being sweeter when the shots are running closer to 24 seconds.
8. Pour your two perfect shots into your coffee mug or equivalent. Do not let your shots sit for longer than 10 seconds without adding milk to them. If desired place 1 shot of flavor in cup before adding espresso.
9. Texture your milk by rolling it around in the steam pitcher until glossy on the surface. Pour your steamed milk over the espresso. The froth will pour smoothly and blend with the espresso crema.
10. When pouring use a spoon to regulate the flow of the foam. Make sure no foam enters the drink until you are about 1/4 in. from the top, where you can remove your spoon. The result should be a nice brown foamy top with a small white foam centre.

Tips

• There are 3 parts that make espresso: The most important is the Heart (which is the light brown); the Body (the majority of the drink and the dark brown); and the Crema (the portion of foam on the surface of the shot). You can add syrups and sugars for extra flavors.
• Keep the pitcher refrigerated before you steam the milk. A cold pitcher allows you more time to make a better foam/froth.

Things You Will Need

• Espresso machine, with Steam Wand
• Tamp
• Metal Pitcher
• Shot glasses or equivalent
• Thermometer (optional). If you know what youre doing, you can feel the temperature.
• Milk
• Ground espresso beans
• Coffee mug or equivalent

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Cappuccino
• How to Make a Caramel Macchiato
• How to Make Iced Coffee
• How to Make Latte Art

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