Latte is undoubtedly the most photographed cup of coffee, thanks to the blank canvas it provides baristas with to create a one-of-a-kind design. But that isn’t the only reason it is the most popular beverage in coffee shops.
Latte is available in plenty of flavors, such as lavender, and people love it for its taste. This article is for you if you plan to change your regular coffee to a latte. We have discussed various recipes to help you make the best latte at home.
How to make a latte using an espresso machine
Generally, the latte comes with a strong espresso shot plus two-thirds of frothed milk. Fortunately, making a latte at home is quite easy, and we will show you how to go about it. The following are the things you will need:
- Milk
- Coffee beans. If possible, make sure to use espresso beans
- A latte cup or glass
- An espresso machine, especially one that has a steam wand.
- If you want to make it more attractive, add additional syrups and toppings
It will take around five minutes to brew. This is how to go about it.
Preheat your cup
Preheating the latter cup might seem like a small step, but it is essential. If you fail to preheat it, the espresso shot could go cold when steaming and frothing your milk. In most cases, the espresso machine will have a cup warmer. However, if you do not have one, fill boiling water and let it sit for a minute while you prepare the shot of espresso. Only move to the next step if your cup is warm enough.
Pull a double shot of espresso.
For every latte, you want to make, make sure to brew a double shot of espresso. Then, pour the double shot of espresso into the latte glass. However, if you prefer a weaker flavor, then brew a single shot.
Froth your milk
Place your desired milk in a frothing pitcher and use the steam wand to steam it. For normal milk, the optimal temperature is 150 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature increases over this, the milk may burn, diminishing its natural sweetness and ruining its flavor. You should ideally hold the wand approximately half an inch below the surface of the milk so that you end up with primarily hot milk and a little froth on top. Fill your glass halfway with steaming milk. Take your time and avoid splashing or spilling any of the milk or espresso. Slowly pour the milk first, then the foam. Don’t worry if you don’t get perfect art on your latte on the first try. It takes practice to get it right.
How to make a latte with a regular coffee maker
If you do not have an espresso machine, you could still use a regular coffee maker to make your latte. Here is how to go about it:
Brew your coffee
Using your standard coffee maker, brew your coffee. If you are planning to make strong coffee, brew two or three ounces of coffee. Latte requires coffee to be as strong as possible, so three ounces will be fine.
Froth your milk
Since you don’t have an espresso machine, you will need to find an alternative to froth your milk. We recommend frothing it with an electric milk frother. If you don’t know how to use an electric milk frother, check out this video to help you out.
Combine
Put your coffee into a glass and pour the hot milk while holding the foam back with a spoon. Then, spoon on the foam. Try latte art on the combination, and you are good to go.
Why you should take a latte every day
Taking a cup of coffee every day can help prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as help with the burning of fats. Some natural flavors used in lattes, such as beetroot and turmeric, can help your skin glow and help improve memory and relieve muscle pains. The good news is that you can make a latte at home using the latte recipe we’ve provided above.
Latte is one of the most popular coffees in the coffee shops thanks to its beautiful appearance and great taste. While you could grab a cup from the nearby Starbucks, you could still make one at home. Making one is easy if you have an espresso machine and coffee grinder. The preferred way to make a cup of latte at home is with an espresso machine with a grinder and a steam wand.
However, if you don’t have one, you could still use your standard coffee maker and an electric milk frother. Be sure to add some toppings and flavors to make your coffee more tasteful and appealing to the eye.
