판교바리스타의 창업노트

All coffee lovers know the joy of being served a cup of coffee that has incredible art design, especially in the morning. Latte is essentially espresso mixed with hot i.e. steamed milk that creates a bit of foam on the top, so it’s not complicated in itself, but there are tons of great ways to spice things up with a creative art design, and put a smile on someone’s face. Before you go through the easiest latte design art you can perfect at your home, let’s go through some basics.

What do you need?

All that you need for preparing these 5 easy latte art designs are:

A pitcher/jug

A cup

A latte art tool or a toothpick (or something a bit thicker than a toothpick)

Espresso machine

And let’s not forget about the main ingredients: coffee, milk and chocolate syrup.

How to make the perfect creamy milk foam?

First, you need cold milk, and don’t heat it before steaming. When it comes to coffee, full fat milk is usually used, but it won’t make a lot of difference if you use some other types. Put the milk in a pitcher and raise the wand, but be careful not to raise it too high. If you see large bubbles forming, it means it is too high. When the milk reaches 140 F – 180 F, turn off the wand.

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As you aren’t experienced and cannot know when you should turn it off just by looking, make sure you use a thermometer in order to be accurate. Tap the pitcher on the counter/table in order to remove large bubbles and make a thicker foam. Swirl it a little bit and your milk is ready to be poured. It should look creamy, not just foamy.
On the other hand, if you don’t have an espresso machine, you can easily prepare the milk by microwaving it. It will be as good as if you’ve made it in an espresso machine, and maybe a bit simpler for beginners.
When it comes to choosing the kind of espresso, that is up to you and your taste. Don’t confuse espresso beans with coffee beans, as there is a big difference. Each kind of espresso has a different taste, so go through the main characteristics of the different types before making a purchase, and make sure you try different kinds in order to find the perfect one.

1. Heart



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Use three ounces of milk per one ounce cup, and steam it. Tilt the cup at the angle of 45 degrees with one hand, and with the other pour the milk in the center. The pitcher should be held high in order to let the milk come to the bottom of your cup. When your cup is up to three-quarters full, pour the milk, start shaking your hand a bit (not the cup, but the pitcher), then put the pitcher closer to your cup, and don’t shake anymore. You will notice white circles appearing. The moment the cup gets almost full, pour the milk in line from one side to the other through the center.
When watching the video, if you want to jump to making a heart, without introduction of the professional barista, just play the video from the second minute.

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2. Rosetta



This one probably looks very hard, however, it isn’t at all. Follow the steps and you will easily perfect your Rosetta technique. Tilt your cup about 45 degrees and start pouring the milk, but don’t hold the pitcher too close to the cup. Make sure the stream of milk is thin, so that it creates the base as it sinks to the bottom.

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When the cup is three quarters full put the pitcher closer to the cup until it rests on the cup. Once the pitcher touches the cup, pour a bit more milk and you’ll see a dot of white foam. At this point, start moving the pitcher from one side to the other. When you reach the end of the cup, start pouring less milk, lift the pitcher and start moving the milk stream forward through the center.

3. Etch spirals



To prevent the syrup from sinking to the bottom you need to make your foam thicker, which will keep it on the top. Using syrup, draw a spiral from the center of the mug to the edge. Then take a toothpick or something a bit thicker, it would be the best if you had a tool, and then pull lines from the center to the edge. Make five lines to resemble a star. Then in between those lines, make lines from the edge to the center. Voila!

4. Chocolate syrup circles



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Draw two lines on the top with the chocolate syrup in a manner that it resembles a plus sign. Then make two diagonal lines also from one side of a cup to another. Take a tool, or a toothpick (or something thicker) and, starting from the center, draw a spiral until you reach the edge of the cup.
Chocolate syrup circles start from 0.28, and as you’ll see, it is simple, and looks like it takes a great skill to make.

5. A bear




Okay, let’s have a little fun now. Do the same as when you are making a heart, just don’t make the last move pouring the milk to the edge, which actually gives you the look of the heart. So, just put the pitcher a bit higher, pour the milk, then put the pitcher closer to make the stream thicker and then stop. It should look like an apple, or a heart without the pointy part. Now, take a spoon and take a bit of milk, then put two dots, one on each side, which should represent the ears. Then use a toothpick to draw eyes and a nose at the center of two semicircles. Don’t use the tool, because it is thicker and it might ruin your art.
Making these latte art designs might look hard, but it’s actually very easy, and after a few lattes, you will perfect latte art design.

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 Published on June 18, 2018

What Foods Have the Most Brain Vitamins for Enhanced Mental Strength

Dr Brady Salcido
Dr Brady is a Doctor, Podcast Host, and Brain Optimization Expert sharing how you can use your lifestyle to upgrade your life. Read full profile



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Your brain is the house your mind lives in. The brain is the most high-powered organ we have and requires the right amount and type of fuel to work properly. When we don’t give our brain the right fuel, it slows us down, dampers our focus, makes us more unhappy and unmotivated.
If you want to maximize your brain power so as to increase your focus, think more clearly and live a happier and longer life, then pay attention because this article will give you the top nutrients you need to maximize your brain power and what foods to include in your diet in order to get them.
Here are what your brain needs and where to get them:

1. Omega-3’s

Your brain is made up of 60% fat so if you want a healthy and optimally performing brain, you need to ensure you’re giving your brain the right building blocks and fat is one of the most important. Fat has been vilified over the years as being the big villain of health, but in reality, high-quality fat is not only good for you, it’s essential for your brain power and health.
Some of the most important fat to give your brain are Omega-3’s. Omega-3’s such as DHA are the essential nutrients that form the outer layer our brain cells. In fact, not getting enough omega-3’s in your diet can affect normal brain development and cognition. It has also been shown to be implicated in premature brain aging and cognitive decline.[1]
Getting healthy sources of omega-3’s from your diet is critical for optimal brain power.

Best sources:

Walnuts, chia seeds, sardines, salmon, flaxseed, eggs, fish oil

2. Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is critical for brain activity and has been known to calm the brain and nervous system to the point it has been called “Nature’s Natural Valium.” Magnesium is essential for hundreds of metabolic processes within the body and brain yet it is still the second most common nutritional deficiency in the world.
Magnesium helps the brain by:

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Providing antI-inflammatory benefits

Lowering stress hormones

Increasing neuroplasticity

Relaxing the nervous system

Helping to lift depression

Reducing anxiety

Best sources:

Almonds, spinach, cashews, avocado, black beans

3. Vitamin B1: Thiamine

Many B vitamins are known to be beneficial for brain health and well-being but for this article, let’s focus on some of the critical B vitamins.
B1, also known as thiamine, is needed for a large number of metabolic processes in the body including the processes that manage your energy. Your brain uses tremendous amounts of energy throughout the day. Having low levels of thiamine can rob your brain of the vital energy that it needs.
Thiamine can boost your mood, energy, and alertness by providing the energy your brain cells need to work effectively and keep their strength up.
Low levels of thiamine have been associated with:

Nerve damage

Nerve inflammation

Fatigue

Loss of short-term memory

Confusion

Irritability

Having enough vitamin B1 (thiamine) is essential for optimal brain performance and health by providing your brain the energy is needs to get through the day.

Best sources:

Seaweed, sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, lentils, black beans

4. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is critical for helping to improve your mood to make you feel happier but is also important to combat mental fatigue. B6 is a critical component of building the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.
Serotonin is known as your happy neurotransmitter and is vitally important for improving your mood. Norepinephrine helps your brain stay focused and alert.

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Symptoms of B6 deficiency include:

Irritability

Loss of focus and concentration

Fatigue

Memory trouble

Muscle pains

Best sources:

Grassfed beef, pistachios, tuna, turkey breast, avocado

5. Vitamin B9

Vitamin B9 is known as folate. Folate is especially important for normal brain development. Folate is an important component in creating many neurotransmitters that the brain uses to communicate and regulate our immune system. Folate is also a natural antioxidant and studies have shown that it can help preserve brain function and memory.[2]
Low levels of folate can be detrimental to the brain. Low levels of folate have shown to lead to increased degeneration in the cerebral cortex as well as cognitive impairment and decline.[3]
Symptoms of low levels of folate include:

Lowered immune function

Chronic fatigue

Increased irritability or anxiety

Brain fog

Best sources:

Spinach, beef liver, broccoli, asparagus, romaine lettuce.

6. Vitamin B12

B12 is essential for many aspects of our health and wellbeing including building strong bones, hair, skin, nails, immune system and heart health. B12 is also extremely important for your brain and mental wellbeing.[4]

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B12 is necessary for many aspects of mental performance including being able to memorize and stay focused. It also plays an important role in producing serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine is your motivation and reward neurotransmitter.
Having low levels of B12 can have some serious consequences including:[5]

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Brain fog

Memory loss

Depression[6]

Anxiety

Confusion

Depression

Hallucinations and Schizophrenia (severe cases)

B12 is commonly found in many animal products and meats, so vegetarians and vegans should pay special attention to their B12 to make sure they are getting enough of it in their diet from plant sources or supplementation.

Best sources:

Beef liver, sardines, wild salmon, eggs, nutritional yeast

7. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a very powerful and important antioxidant for your brain. Your brain consumes a lot of energy and oxygen in order to do its job. Antioxidants like Vitamin C protect the brain from the wear and tear of doing its job.
Vitamin C is also needed to produce important neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are important regulators of your mood, so without Vitamin C to produce these important neurotransmitters, your mood may suffer.[7]

Best sources:

BroccolI, citrus fruits, bell peppers, watermelon, spinach

8. Vitamin D

The “sunshine” vitamin is arguably one of the most important vitamins that many people miss out on. Vitamin D is usually associated with bone health and heart health but it’s been shown in research that Vitamin D may play a critical role in your brain performance. Several studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D can impair cognitive function and performance.[8]
Fewer people are getting outside in the natural sunlight leading to more cases of vitamin D deficiency than ever before. The best part about Vitamin D is that you can get it for free or extremely cheap. Just a few minutes a day of natural sunlight can make a big difference in your Vitamin D levels.

Best sources:

Natural sunlight or find a Vitamin D supplement.

9. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are critical to help our bodies fight off oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a metabolic process that occurs in the body that wears and tears on our cells. Antioxidants fight against this wear and tear to keep our cells youthful and optimally functioning.

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Vitamin E is an often overlooked vitamin for brain health. It prevents oxidative stress from damaging an important component of our brain cells, DHA. DHA forms the outer membrane of our brain cells and Vitamin E works to prevents oxidative stress from damaging our brain cells to keep our brain young, energetic and high-performing.[9]
Symptoms of Vitamin E deficiency include:

Cognitive impairment

Diarrhea

Muscle weakness

Balance issues

Best sources:

Almonds, kale, Swiss chard, parsley, olives

10. Zinc

Zinc is essential for neuron growth and performance. The highest concentration of zinc is located in your brain, particularly in your hippocampus, the area of the brain involved in regulating your limbic system, the region that regulates emotions. Neurons require zinc in order to communicate effectively to one another.[10]
Low levels of zinc are associated with:

Attention and focus problems

Lowered immune system

Acne or rashes

Diarrhea

Best sources:

Pumpkin seeds, grass-fed beef, cashews, mushrooms, spinach

Keep your brain sharp with brain power foods

Your brain works hard and it takes plenty of nutrients and fuel to keep it working well. Getting the amount and type of vitamins, minerals and nutrients can make the difference in feeling energized or feeling sluggish throughout the day.
How would you fuel a Ferrari? You wouldn’t put the cheap gas in a Ferrari. It’s a high-performance machine, so you need to put in high-octane fuel to ensure optimal performance.
Eat a wide variety of foods that include a vast array of the top brain nutrients to ensure your brain is getting plenty of the resources it needs to work efficiently. If you want more brain power, make sure you give it brain power foods.
Featured photo credit: Pexels via pexels.com

Referen

Before you can create those wonderful latte art designs you dream of forming on top of your coffee, you need to steam the milk to create the frothy, creamy texture.
In this post we break down the steps involved with milk steaming, pinpointing areas which can negatively impact on how your final drink turns out and provide a structure that you can follow and practice to help improve your barista skills.
Although it can often be over complicated, in reality milk steaming is a quick, simple process that constitutes:

Adding heat to the milk

Introducing air to the milk (also known as stretching/foaming)

Texturing (breaking down the bubbles to create a smooth microfoam)

It’s important to portion your milk out correctly. If you use too much or not enough, you’re going to have a harder time controlling the steaming process and pouring.

Step 1 – Positioning the Milk Pitcher

Positioning of the steam wand in the milk pitcher
Before submerging the steam tip, purge the steam wand to get rid of any existing condensation. This occurs when the steam tip is cool whilst it hasn’t been in use. With the milk in the pitcher the steaming process is commenced by positioning the steam arm straight down and slightly out from the machine. The best steam tips are designed with holes that work at a 45 degree angle when pointed down, which gives the best texture to the finished milk.
Ensure the tip of the steam arm is fully submerged underneath the surface of the milk. If the tip is too shallow, when the steam is turned on milk will spit everywhere and an uncontrollable amount of air will be added. Too deep though, and the steam won’t have enough power to circulate the milk properly.
Adjust the position of the pitcher so the steam arm is slightly off to one side and to the front of the pitcher, in between the centre and side- this will force the steam to create a swirling vortex.
Top Barista Tip: Use the pitcher spout to rest the steam arm in the milk, as this will give you much more stability and control.

Step 2 – Turn on the Steam

Carefully control the pitcher position and turn on the steam
Submerge the steam tip and with one hand, hold the milk pitcher handle, with the other hand turn the steam arm on to introduce the power. Usually half a turn of the steam knob is enough, move this hand to feel the temperature through the side of the pitcher.
At this point you should start to see the milk spinning in a vortex around the pitcher, but at the same time there should be no air going into the milk. If you do notice air introduction, slightly lower the steam tip into the milk by a few millimetres. If the milk isnt spinning, the steam tip maybe a little deep and too close to the centre of the milk.

Step 3 – Control Air Introduction

Close up of bubbles forming in the milk
To introduce air into the milk, gently lower the milk pitcher to move the steam tip nearer to the surface, where it will suck air into the milk. The air needs to be introduced at a slow rate, or else the big air bubbles that are introduced won’t get broken down into a silky smooth foam texture.
You should hear a ‘chirping’ sound as small amounts of air are introduced, too heavy a sound and you will introduce a lot of big bubbles that won’t be able to break down.
As the air is introduced, the volume of milk will expand, so the pitcher needs to be constantly lowered to counteract this action. If not, the steam tip will become too submerged to add any more air, and you won’t reach the required amount.
To stop the addition of air, a very simple little lift of the pitcher is needed to submerge the steam tip slightly, stopping it from sucking more air into the milk. Be careful not to push it too deep, and keep the position of the steam arm exactly as you have done from the start.
For latte style milk, you only need to add a few chirps of air, however for cappuccino, the more air the better. You will still be adding air gently, just for a longer time. As a rule of thumb, add air until you feel a good warmth through the pitcher, or at around 45 degrees celsius if you are using a temperature probe.
Top Barista Tip: Some cafes will move the milk pitcher up and down several times during the steaming process- ignore this as it creates uneven and badly textured milk. Keep the action of your steaming as smooth as possible, with the only action you should need to create perfect milk is a slight lowering and lifting of the pitcher.

Step 4 – Texturing the Milk

Turn off team shortly after the pitcher becomes too hot to touch
Texturing the milk ensures that the air that you have introduced is broken down to a silky smooth consistency distributed evenly throughout the milk. If you don’t texture, you will end up with lumpy, bubbly froth on top of liquid milk.
The position of the steam tip should be the maintained from step 3- just submerged, creating a vortex in the pitcher. All you have to worry about now is temperature- when the milk pitcher becomes too hot to touch, remove your hand from the side of the jug to avoid burning, wait a second or two and turn off the steam completely. Remove the pitcher from the steam arm, or if using a thermometer, turn off the steam at 50-55 degrees celsius (thermometers have a slight delay)
This should give you milk around 65 degrees celsius. At this temperature the milk will be hot, sweet and silky in texture, not quite mouth-burning or lukewarm either, just right. The milk is sweetest at this temperature because lactose (the sugars in milk) dissolve best at this temperature. If the milk is steamed too hot it will smell eggy, form large bubbles on the surface and the foam will become lumpy and separate from the liquid milk at a fast rate.
Top Barista Tip: as soon as the steam is turned off and the milk pitcher is removed, clean the steam wand. This is done in two steps- wiping the steam wand and purging. If done correctly there should be no build up of milk and the steam arm should stay clean for years.
The difference between a good (left) and bad (right) milk texture

Finally – The Tap and Swirl

An even pour with a good depth of foam
If you’ve got a couple of little bubbles here and there you can just get rid of those by just tapping the pitcher on the counter. Before pouring, swirl the milk around in the pitcher to re-introduce the foam back into the liquid milk, the texture should look glossy like melted marshmallow.
The proof of the how well the milk has been steamed is in the pour. It should pour evenly and smoothly with a good depth of foam. Well steamed milk is Ideal for latte art, so once you’ve mastered how to steam milk then take a look at our guide to pouring a latte art rosetta where we break down the all important stages in drawing that perfect rosetta.
If you’d like to learn first hand how to improve the milk steaming process from one of the countries leading barista trainers, come and join us on our next Barista Training course.

What if pouring a beautiful design on the top of a milky beverage actually reduced the quality of flavour? I know my answer, but I’d like you to find out for yourself.
Latte Art has become sacrosanct in the vast majority of Specialty Coffee venues. It’s non-negotiable. You almost never see a specialty milk coffee set down on your table without a tulip, fern, heart or monk’s head on top. I’m mostly ok with this. Art betrays a certain amount of skill, attention to detail and commitment to quality that few other visual clues can.
This isn’t a post against or even about Latte Art (for the record I rather enjoy it). It’s an exploration of critical thinking and blind experimentation to help you understand the effects of Latte Art on taste.
The three most common commandments of Latte Art are contrast, symmetry and central placement in the cup. This trio, by their nature, result in a bold ring of crema around the edges of the drink. Whether this ring is made of pure crema, brown coloured milk, or a mix of the two is up to your coffee and technique. What’s certain is that this ring is intensely flavoured and definitely impacts your perception of the drink.
The first sip you take of a coffee plays an important role in your overall perception of the drink. This is common theory and practice, and is what I have always been taught. The argument goes that if you first experience a pungent punch of coffee flavour, you’ll think the drink is stronger; if your first sip is milky and soft, your view of the drink will lean towards weakness. "The ring of crema is vital for the customer to enjoy the drink and perceive it as satisfying”
Some recent experiments have left me thinking otherwise.
Crema is really different to espresso. On its own, crema tastes kind of terrible (really, try it.). Mixed with milk, it adds welcome depth and intensity. What if all that crema sitting on top of the milk is more valuable when mixed evenly throughout the whole drink?
We’re going to remove the psychological effects of aesthetics and just focus on flavour with a simple experiment. It’s super quick, and a little fun.
You’ll need:
- an espresso set up
- a willing assistant
- a blindfold
1. Make two identical espressos. They can be split by portafilter spouts, or made one after the other if you use naked portafilters.
2. Steam two identical jugs of milk. Or steam a larger jug and split it into two jugs with equal amounts of foam.
Whatever’s more consistent for you. Make sure to steam 100ml more than you need.
3. Pour two cappuccinos/lattes/flat whites/cortados with delightfully perfect Latte Art. (Thanks Ben Morrow!)

4. Defile one of them with a spoon, mixing the whole drink top-to-bottom. Make sure every speck of crema is equally distributed.

5. Pour a third cup of steamed milk only.
6. Don a blindfold.
7. Get someone else to randomise the two cups and serve them to you simultaneously.Place the cup of milk in the middle.
8. Drink each beverage a few sips at a time.Make sure to taste the foam, milk, and both together. Take your time and voice your opinion as you go. Your assistant should record your thoughts as they happen. This will prevent mind-changing later.
9. When switching cups, take a few sips of plain milk to reset your palate.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Which cup has the best first impression?
- Which cup has the best foam flavour?
- Which cup has the best liquid flavour?
- Which would I prefer to drink?
You might be surprised!
The effect of beauty on taste is well documented: a human’s objectivity is crippled by visual prejudice. By removing vision from the equation, we’re eliminating Latte Art’s trump card!
The ring of crema creates an intense first mouthful. It’s pungent, bitter and most definitely “coffee”. This has two effects on the rest of the drink. First, there’s not much crema mixed into the drink, it’s all on top. Second, your palate is shocked from the experience which will reduce its sensitivity. This combination will make the rest of the drink seem much less flavoursome. It'll also leave you with a bitter, unpleasant finish.
If this is your preference, then Latte Art is on your side!
Mixing the crema into the drink will soften it’s impact on your first sip. It will also spread that intense flavour throughout the rest of the drink, making the milk/espresso mixture that little bit stronger and richer. The start is more mellow and the finish is cleaner.
If this was your preference, then perhaps Latte Art is working against you!
It’s important to understand that there’s no right or wrong here. This experiment isn’t designed to paint Latte Art as a hero or villain. Whatever your preference, you’ll now know wether Latte Art is helping or hindering your goals.