www.baratza.com: skilled in the art of grinding

Blob of foam in the center of the pitcher

Postby avdiscolo on Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:16 pm

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
avdiscolo
 
Posts: 40
Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Sammamish, WA

Postby Beezer on Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:32 pm

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.
Lock and load!
Beezer
 
Posts: 886
Joined: Nov 16, 2006
Location: Fresno, CA
www.seattlecoffeegear.com: let us help you find the right gear
www.seattlecoffeegear.com: let us help you find the right gear

Postby HB on Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:07 pm

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):

Dan Kehn
User avatar
HB
 
Posts: 12672
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Location: Cary, NC

Postby RegulatorJohnson on Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:08 pm

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
jon stovall
--
coffeetoolsapp.com
User avatar
RegulatorJohnson
 
Posts: 488
Joined: May 08, 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA


Return to Tips and Techniques