Day 23,

I had a conversation with a friend today regarding lattes.  Over the course of the conversation I realized that all the questions he was asking and the ones I was responding too were specific to how to texturize the foam and the creation of the latte art.  Of course that was the whole reason why I started this blog, to practice making latte art.  Thus I need to add some of found experience to the blog to help those in the same predicament that I found myself in.  I have decided that after this Thursday, which is my last day of class, I will write a post or two specifically on milk texturizing.  It might include some interviews with the pros and from other amateurs.  I think it would be cool to also try out some other machines.  Therefore, if you read this and have an espresso machine at your house, or your friend has one let me know so that i can add it to the blog.

Day 20 The Modification

Before

After

Dear readers, the last couple of days have been somewhat of a whirlwind, it being the end of the semester.  Today, I finally got enough motivation to attempt a homemade modification for the LaPavoni espresso machine.  The modification is with the steam wand tip.  Most LaPavoni's have a tri-tipped wand, which can sort of be made out in the picture; other wand tips that I have seen have only one hole.  So in an attempt to create the perfect foam, I thought it was time to try a modification.  I saw this done on my favorite espresso  youtube video.  Please not that the dude is using almost the same machine.  Instead of buying his I decided to create my own.  So I went to Home Depot and bought a $0.60 cap nut and drilled a 1/16 hole in the bottom.  You may think that this seems like a relatively easy project, which it was. However, the difficult part of the project was the motivation behind it.

Silky smooth Microfoam

     After my first steaming test, I immediately regretted my laziness.  The foam that resulted from the single hole tip was incredible!  Unbelievable, it was like I hardly had to do any work to steam the milk.  As a result I had to share the brilliant endeavorer.  The whole while, I had John Mayer in the back ground encouraging me with his Trio band, with members Pino Palladino on the bass, and Steve Jordan on the drums.  The John Mayer Trio makes for some great background coffee music.  I've realized that not many people have heard of John's trio band, so here is a link to Amazon to either listen to it or purchase it.  It is recorded live and sounds quite good.

Day 16, And the countdown to Bloomsday!

So today, I prepared my self for the Spokane Bloomsday 10K by making four lattes.  However, in attempt to be physically fit and mentally prepared for the run, I find myself two days away from Bloomsday with no miles under the soles of my feet.  Meaning, I haven't gone on an intentional run since last spring.  However, if it comes to making lattes I have been practicing a lot there.  So hopefully the latte practice will somehow come in handy this Sunday...

For some reason, I am having a heck of a time steaming the milk.  I solved the problem of horrid tasting milk, but now I have a new challenge to conquer, milk frothing.  If anyone knows anything about real milk frothing please share.  I am currently using a 10oz milk pitcher, perhaps that is too small.  That only thing is that I have been able to get some well frothed milk accomplished before.  Well, I guess this blog continues to give me a chance to keep practicing.

Good luck to all the Bloomsday runners Sunday!!