“I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee.” –Carly Simon
How to Make a Latte
Learning how to make a latte means learning what the drink consists of and what tools you will need in order to make one. With so many variations of the espresso drink, and with just as many different ways to make it, studying the latte has become a new American pastime.
“Latte” is the Italian word for milk. In English, latte is short for “caffelatte” or “caffé e latte”. So the word means “coffee and milk”. In Italy you will never find locals drinking a latte, if you order a latte, you’ll probably get you a cup of hot milk.
An American invention, the cafe latte has become America’s favorite espresso drink. What started as an Italian breakfast drink at home has become the American modified version we find in coffee shops today. The Italian version of the drink contains extra strong coffee as opposed to the less caffeine filled espresso shots.
Starbucks Lattes
How to Make a Latte
Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee made the Barista (the person who prepares espresso drinks) and the Café Latte household names. Starbucks coffee stores are found in every major city in the United States. Many coffee companies and latte shops have followed suit, but none will reach the notoriety of the Starbucks brand.
Tools You’ll Need for Making a Latte
A high capacity espresso machine is the staple of any good commercial coffee business. Some machines are manufactured in the United States, and many are handmade in Italy. The coffee industry offers many different brands of espresso machines from which to choose. La Marzocco and La San Marco espresso machines are probably the most used in higher-end coffee shops.
Every busy coffee shop needs to use a “high capacity” espresso machine,. and by high capacity we’re talking large boilers and multiple portafilters. The brands mentioned above are the best machines that I have ever used. The larger the boiler, the faster the milk steams. And the more portafilters a machine has, the more espresso shots that are able to be pulled at once.
Along with the commercial espresso machine needs to be a high capacity grinder. On top of the grinder is the bean hopper. This is where the espresso beans are contained.
Making the Latte
The barista pushes a switch in order to grind the beans. The beans then make their way into the espresso grinder. Some grinders even come with automatic sensors that grind the beans when the ground espresso reaches a low level.
After the beans are ground, the barista places the portafilter underneath the grinder dispenser and “pulls” a preset amount of ground espresso into it. After pressing the buttons for either a “double shot” or “single shot”, boiling hot water pours through the machine and into the portafilters. Shot glasses under the portafilters catch the espresso. At the same time, the barista is steaming and foaming the milk and after the milk is hot and the espresso shots are done pouring, the shots are poured into the milk and you have a latter.
How to Make a Latte at Home
Lattes can be made at home on a much smaller machine that is available at most kitchen retailers. The best home espresso machines can be found at Starbucks. Their flagship model is the Starbucks Sirena espresso machine. Starbucks also carries a super automatic machine as well.
The Senseo Espresso machine is a close runner up to the Starbucks models, and even Hamilton Beach makes a lower cost, yet highly functional machine. Along with the machine you need your own stainless steel canister (in which to hold the milk), a long spoon, shot glasses, and an espresso drink temperature gauge. A grinder is optional as ground espresso can be found in most grocers’ coffee isle.
Step by Step
First, add whatever modifiers you want to your cup. By modifiers I’m talking sugar, vanilla syrup, chocolate, etc.
Next, pour your milk (whole milk, 2%, or Nonfat) into the milk canister and carefully submerge the machines steam wand under the milk.
Press the steam button until the milk reaches about 120-130 degrees.
Pull the canister of milk down until the steam wand is just about a half inch submerged. Don’t bob the canister up and down. You are making froth for the top of your latte.
Continue to heat until about 160-180 degrees.
Put your portafilter under the grinder (or pour the ground espresso into the portafilter) and press the grounds down with a tamper. Set the portafilters into the head of the espresso machine and push the espresso shot button.
While the shots are pouring, pour the steamed milk into your cup, using a spoon to scoop about a half inch of foam on top. Pour in the espresso shots and stir. Now you have your own delicious cup of espresso.
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