by HB on Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:39 pm 
I like this idea a lot more than the contest last year for latte art photos since there's a higher potential for educational value. In that vein, I made a video, but knowing (a) I could never win for lack of skills, and (b) even if I could win, it wouldn't be right, I took another approach. Rather than spend an afternoon trying to video a great pour, I instead limited myself to one take and one take only:
Let me begin with my excuses. Although I regularly drank cappuccinos for years, nowadays I prepare them only a few times a month. If I ever had latte art skills, they could only be politely described as "rusty." The video production steps also caused delays that allowed the crema to fade and the steamed milk to start cotton balling. Next time I'll have the video already going instead of fiddling with on/off switches and the camera's capture modes while the espresso sits.
Technical commentary: For a latte, too much air was injected, though it was about right for a cappuccino. I used my largest cup (12 ounces), which drew out the espresso to a thin layer, increasing the speed with which the crema dissipated. The polishing technique seen in the first part of the video eliminated the "cotton ball" and elicited a nice paint-like texture from the milk. Pouring began high, though not aggressively enough, causing an initial splash of white across what little crema remained. I should have lowered the pitcher nearer the surface and the rocking motion was too late and not quite enough.
Our more accomplished latte artists are welcome to add their own assessment of what went wrong. Or better yet, post your own video under the same rules: No do overs, no editing, just pour and post. If you're up to the challenge, enter Whole Latte Love's contest and include your first and best video here. I think the comparison between "my first try" and "my best try" could prove interesting.
PS: My kids called the above pour "a white barn owl" rather than a rosetta. Ouch!
