Latte Recipe
Make Latte Recipe in just 8m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Espresso
Milk
Optional
Method
Espresso
Dose and tamp
Weigh 18 g of freshly ground espresso coffee and distribute it evenly in the portafilter. Tamp with 30–40 lbs of pressure to create a level puck.
Brew
Lock the portafilter into the espresso machine and pull a double shot (approximately 36 ml) into your cup. Aim for a 25–30 second extraction from the moment the pump engages. The espresso should have a rich crema on top.
Milk
Pour milk and purge steam wand
Pour 10 oz of cold whole milk into a chilled stainless-steel steaming pitcher. Purge the steam wand for 1–2 seconds to remove condensation.
Stretch and texture milk
Submerge the steam wand tip just below the milk surface and open the steam valve to introduce air for 3–5 seconds (you should hear a gentle hissing) to create microfoam. Then submerge the tip deeper and tilt the pitcher slightly to create a whirlpool; continue steaming until the pitcher exterior reaches about 60–65°C (140–150°F) or the milk feels hot to the touch. The milk should be glossy and velvety with fine microbubbles.
Purge and polish
Turn off the steam, wipe the wand immediately with a damp cloth, and purge briefly. Tap the pitcher on the counter and swirl the milk to remove large bubbles and integrate foam into a silky texture.
Assembly and finishing
Combine espresso and milk
If using a separate cup for espresso, transfer the shot to your serving cup. Tilt the cup slightly and start pouring the milk from about 2–3 inches above the cup to incorporate milk and crema. As the cup fills, lower the pitcher and pour more slowly to allow a layer of microfoam to appear on top. Aim for a ratio of about 1:3 espresso to milk (36 ml espresso to ~10 oz milk) resulting in a classic latte volume.
Sweeten and garnish (optional)
If you like your latte sweetened, stir in about 1 tsp of simple syrup or flavored syrup before pouring milk, or add sugar to taste. Dust the finished latte with a light sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon if desired.
Serve
Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy the latte with a spoon for stirring if sweetened.