Making lattes requires precise measurements – even if they have similar ingredients. Lattes have a reputation for being difficult. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways natural ingredients can be used to taste just like an espresso.
Latte art is a beautiful thing… but there’s a lot more to the drink than foam and milk. Lattes can be made in a variety of ways and these 10 things to remember when making a latte will help make sure your latte is delicious every time!
Let’s start by putting away those automatic coffee machines. For this article, I’m focusing only on manual espresso machines.
1) Foaming Milk
The most important thing when making a latte is making sure your steamed milk has a good balance of foam and milk. Too much foam and your latte will be too watery, too little foam and it will be too crunchy. Having the correct amount is important, but the right amount of froth is also important. The proper amount to pour depends on the size of the mug you’re pouring your latte into – the bigger the mug, the less milk should be poured into the cup.
Start by pouring a small amount of steamed milk into a clean, dry glass measuring cup or pitcher (about half an ounce) and place it in the microwave for about 20 seconds at a time until it is close to boiling but not boiling yet. Pour into your cup and then pour the foam from the measuring cup back into the pitcher or measuring cup and pour that into your cup as well. This will both give you the proper amount of froth and will also allow you to pour just the right amount of steamed milk into your cup.
This is THE most important step when making lattes.
2) Espresso or Ground Coffee
You can have a latte made both with espresso or brewed coffee with a significant amount of milk. Some people prefer a latte made with brewed coffee, some with espresso, but whichever one you prefer, remember that this will change the flavor of your latte as well. Black coffee is going to be much much stronger than a coffee with milk and this might change the flavor of the latte, so drink the espresso first and decide if it’s strong enough or not before adding more milk.
Many people enjoy adding sugar to their latte as well, but this is entirely up to you and the type of coffee you are using. Some people also add a splash of vanilla or cinnamon to their latte as well – again, this is up to what you like!
3) Toppings
Lattes can be made with a number of different flavor combinations and they’re often served with different toppings as well. Some people like to add vanilla to their latte, some like cinnamon, and some like chocolate as well. Some like caramel drizzle and others like whipped cream as well – again, this is up to your personal preference!
4) What to Pour Lattes into
Most coffee shops have specially made mugs or cups for pouring lattes into, but you can use whatever you have handy as long as it’s clean. Some people use mugs with handles, some use coffee mugs, and some use travel mugs such as thermoses – again it’s up to you!
It’s important to use the right-sized mug so everything fits nicely together. A travel mug that holds 16 ounces will be about the right size for a latte in a coffee mug that holds 12 ounces – the photos above show what the mugs might look like if the mugs were used to make the lattes.
5) Size and Power
Your machine has the ability to make different types of beverages as long as you have the correct size container or mug, so it doesn’t matter if you want to make a grande, venti, or Trenta latte – it can easily be done as long as your container is the appropriate size.
It doesn’t matter if you want to make a 1/2 latte either – you can make one as long as your container is the right size for the drink. Most coffee shops and cafes use between 1/3 to 1/2 a teaspoon of espresso per drink, but that’s entirely up to the type of taste you want. If you’re using a smaller container such as a coffee mug or travel mug, use half a teaspoon and if you’re going to make more than one drink, use less espresso each time – you can always add more later if the flavor isn’t strong enough for you!
All you need to do now is pour the steamed milk and foam into the container – the exact amount of steaming milk will depend on the size of your container and/or mug. The foam is poured into a separate container and poured into the container for the steamed milk when you get to it.
6) Sweetening and Flavoring
It’s very easy to sweeten or flavor your drink! Some people like to put a little sugar or maple syrup in their lattes while others like to add vanilla and cinnamon as well – again, it’s up to you! Some people like to put a syrup in their drinks as well – this adds a lot of flavor to the drink as well! If you like your drinks flavored, this is the way to go!
7) Making doubles
Many people love making a double shot latte in the morning, and this can easily be done by putting two spoons of espresso in your travel mug or coffee mug. If you want to be safe, use one spoon per drink and if you want a stronger flavor, you can add more espresso to your drink later if the flavor isn’t strong enough for you.
8) Making Lattes for Someone Else
If you would like to make a latte for someone else, all you need to do is follow the directions above. If you made a double shot for yourself, you can make a triple shot for someone else. Many people enjoy drinking a latte in the afternoon or evening as a little something extra. You can make extra espresso and put it in the fridge the night before and then just pour it into your travel mug or coffee mug in the morning and enjoy your special treat!
9) Making Lattes at Home
Lattes can be made at home with either a fully automatic espresso machine or with an espresso maker. If you want to make a latte using a fully automatic espresso machine, make sure you start the machine first and make sure the water has been heated and ready to pour before you steam the milk. The water level should be at least an inch from the top of the machine when you start the machine and the hot water should be ready in less than a minute – keep an eye on the machine and make sure it has reached the proper temperature before pouring the water into the machine or you’ll burn the machine!
If you’re using an espresso maker, make sure you have the correct espresso maker cup and you’re steaming the milk at the right temperature – too hot and you’ll get espresso instead of steamed milk! If you have an espresso machine with a frothing wand, you can froth your milk using the wand as well.
10) Flavoring Lattes
Flavored lattes are popular because they add a lot of flavor to the drink and these flavorings are often made specifically for lattes – they’re used in coffee shops and in coffee shops and cafes all over the world.
Some of the best flavors for lattes include hazelnut, vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, hazelnut, and mocha – of course, there are many other flavors of flavored coffees and lattes as well!
To conclude, making a latte is extremely easy and there’s really nothing to it – all you have to do is steam your milk to the right temperature and make sure that you froth the milk to the right consistency as well. Once you’ve mastered the basics and perfected your favorite latte, you’ll be making lattes like a pro in no time!
Related: 15 Surprising Ingredients You Can Put In Your Coffee To Make It Taste Better
