Latte Recipe
Make Latte Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Espresso
Milk
Optional additions
Method
Espresso
- 1
Preheat cup and equipment
Preheat a 10–12 oz cup or glass by rinsing with hot water; wipe portafilter and group head with a dry cloth to remove old grounds and cool residue.
- 2
Dose, tamp and extract
Weigh 18 g of freshly ground espresso into a clean portafilter basket, distribute evenly, and tamp with about 30 lb (13 kg) of pressure to create a level puck. Lock the portafilter into the machine and start extraction. Aim for a 36 ml yield in about 25–30 seconds for a balanced espresso (adjust grind or dose if timing is off).
Milk
- 3
Purge and prepare steam wand
Purge the steam wand briefly to expel water. Wipe it with a clean, damp cloth and position the steam pitcher (use a 12–16 oz stainless pitcher) under the wand.
- 4
Steam milk
Pour 10 oz cold whole milk into the pitcher (fill to just below the spout). Insert the steam wand tip just below the surface and turn on steam to create microfoam: allow a slight hissing for 3–5 seconds to introduce microbubbles, then submerge the tip to heat the milk. Stretch/texture the milk until the pitcher feels hot to touch (~60–65°C / 140–149°F). Aim for smooth, glossy microfoam with small bubbles.
- 5
Polish milk
Turn off steam, wipe and purge the wand. Tap the pitcher gently on the counter and swirl to integrate foam and remove larger bubbles. Rest the milk for 5–10 seconds so the foam becomes silky.
- 6
Optional foam portion
If you prefer a slightly foamier latte or want to do latte art, hold back about 1 oz of denser foam in the pitcher to pour last.
Assembly & finishing
- 7
Pouring the latte
Pour the extracted espresso into the preheated cup. Immediately pour the steamed milk into the center of the espresso from a few inches up to integrate, then bring the pitcher closer and pour more steadily to create a smooth crema and a thin layer of microfoam. If doing latte art, start with a higher pour to mix, then lower and apply subtle wrist motions to create a pattern.
- 8
- 9
Serve
Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy.