Blob of foam in the center of the pitcher

[avdiscolo]

Sometimes when I am spinning the milk in my pitcher to create microfoam, a thicker blob of foam settles in the center of the pitcher, and I cannot seem to break it up with gentle spinning and tapping of the pitcher after steaming. I'm happy with the density of the rest of the microfoam, but the blob is preventing me from attempting any latte art.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Beezer]

You can scoop it out with a spoon, or try pouring it out into the sink before pouring your art. That's what I usually do if I get the dreaded "cotton ball" in my pitcher.

[HB]

The cotton ball occurs when you inject too much air. Avoid playing the tip across the surface of the milk, shorten the stretching phase, and lengthen the texturing phase (e.g., instead of burying the tip at 100F, try 80F). If you get cotton foam anyway, it can be remixed with aggressive swirling. It's helpful to have a larger pitcher for this purpose so you whirlpool higher up the sides. I demonstrated this recovery move in Latte Art Challenge(d):

[RegulatorJohnson]

experiment with angles and such to create a vigorous folding type of swirl while you steam. perhaps even with water to see what angle creates the most powerful swirl. then switch to milk.

jon