Latte art = good coffee. Common myth

[simonsk8r]

A terrible experiment with... Er... tea :-)


Might have got better practice but... why?

Hahaha ah nice work, tea art!

[kbilleter]

A terrible experiment with... Er... tea :-)


Might have got better practice but... why?

[Ronin]

OK, show me a video of latte art being poured on an espresso shot with zero crema and I'll buy it.

In the context of this discussion, I think it would be pretty easy to tell whether the shot was crema-rich and therefore potentially good - or flat, lifeless and crap - even if there is some kind of pattern. But I'm happy for someone to prove me wrong...

YouTube is your friend MM
Search for it, or if I have time later I’ll do it & list the links
The whole point of this thread is to open minds. What is commonly believed is not always fact. While this forum is great for home and beginner baristas, it’s not speciality coffee level.

No disrespect intended

The reason I started posting again periodically is to give back. I learnt from this forum s long time ago and now I’m in a position of knowledge to assist in others journey.

Coffee snobs are the best and worst customers, but I’m getting off subject now

[simonsk8r]

OK, show me a video of latte art being poured on an espresso shot with zero crema and I'll buy it.

In the context of this discussion, I think it would be pretty easy to tell whether the shot was crema-rich and therefore potentially good - or flat, lifeless and crap - even if there is some kind of pattern. But I'm happy for someone to prove me wrong...

Ahhh I remember watching a video that did this direct comparison, the fellow scooped the crema completely off, and still poured great art that had a nice contrast. Have looked everywhere and I can't find it though sorry.. but it is doable.

But relating to the original post, just came across this, very interesting article!

https://baristahustle.com/blogs/bari...ee-taste-worse

[Magic_Matt]

You don’t need crema to produce latte art MM
Look at any of the vids on YouTube with matcha, hot choc, velvet late (beetroot powder), blue algae ect. None of these have crema. It’s all about setting the milk evenly

OK, show me a video of latte art being poured on an espresso shot with zero crema and I'll buy it.

In the context of this discussion, I think it would be pretty easy to tell whether the shot was crema-rich and therefore potentially good - or flat, lifeless and crap - even if there is some kind of pattern. But I'm happy for someone to prove me wrong...

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

nah, i've poured latte art in a crema-less aeropress shot. there's the contrast of white on light brown as opposed to dark brown. you can make a design easily. but yes, it won't contrast as well as a shot with crema.

Fair enough. I guess when I think about it, when I travel with an aeropress and pour milk into the brew it picks up some colour (though I usually get some faux crema on the top of the aeropress brew too).

[woodhouse]

Yeh, but each of the examples you list have different viscosity to the base of an espresso shot. When using espresso as the base, surely you need at least some crema to provide the contrasting colour to the textured milk? I can't say that I've bothered wasting a shot to try it though.

nah, i've poured latte art in a crema-less aeropress shot. there's the contrast of white on light brown as opposed to dark brown. you can make a design easily. but yes, it won't contrast as well as a shot with crema.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

You don’t need crema to produce latte art MM
Look at any of the vids on YouTube with matcha, hot choc, velvet late (beetroot powder), blue algae ect. None of these have crema. It’s all about setting the milk evenly

Yeh, but each of the examples you list have different viscosity to the base of an espresso shot. When using espresso as the base, surely you need at least some crema to provide the contrasting colour to the textured milk? I can't say that I've bothered wasting a shot to try it though.

[Ronin]

Ronin that swan and tulip are incredible... nice work!

Thanks, but I can do much better.
The swan neck has a sharp corner and the tulip was started a bit high in the cup or I’d have another layer or 2 in it. It’s only a 10 stack ��

[Ronin]

Of course it doesn't.

What it does tell you is that the shot has decent crema, the milk is well textured and the barista has at least some basic competence and attention to detail, so it's still a good indication of quality.

You don’t need crema to produce latte art MM
Look at any of the vids on YouTube with matcha, hot choc, velvet late (beetroot powder), blue algae ect. None of these have crema. It’s all about setting the milk evenly

[simonsk8r]

Very true, but on the other hand I have found that latte art absolutely increases the quality of the drink, not because it looks pretty (although I do smile when I am served well-crafted art, which one could say enhances the experience ), but well-textured milk really lifts the sweetness and gives a creamy texture to the drink. It's because the milk is well-textured though, the art is just sort of like a stamp of 'proof' of that. It just doesn't guarantee the drink will be nice hehe. The espresso base matters for sure.

Ronin that swan and tulip are incredible... nice work!

[Magic_Matt]

Of course it doesn't.

What it does tell you is that the shot has decent crema, the milk is well textured and the barista has at least some basic competence and attention to detail, so it's still a good indication of quality.

[EspressoAdventurer]

/\
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Touche`

[Jackster]

Its just like sex.
Good looking- doesnt mean good loving.

[Ronin]

My main point being that latte are can be done with poor espresso and average milk.
If you think it must be good cause it has latte art, you may be mistaken.

I hear it at work and I read those comments on this forum