Beginner Latte Art on a Breville (Sage) Dual Boiler Coffee Machine

Beginner Latte Art with the Breville Dual Boiler: Tips and Tricks

Welcome to today's guide on beginner latte art with the Breville Dual Boiler. We'll explore two easy patterns to get you started, providing tips and tricks to help you create stunning latte art at home.

Skip straight into our video. 

Equipment and Setup

We're using the Breville Dual Boiler, the Breville Smart Grinder Pro, standard accessories from Breville, and Artisti's Champion blend coffee. Our recipe for today:

• Coffee: 18.5 grams
• Ratio: 2:1
• Extraction Time: 25 seconds

This setup ensures a perfect espresso base for your latte art.

Preparing the Espresso

1. Heat Your Group Handle: Ensure your portafilter is clean, dry, and hot before adding the grind.
2. Grinding: Set your grinder to a fine setting (we use setting number six on the Breville Smart Grinder Pro) and grind for about 15 seconds. 
3. Tamping: Break down any clumps, level out the coffee, fill any gaps, and tamp firmly until it stops.

Frothing the Milk

1. Milk Selection: Use fresh, cold, full-cream milk for the best texture.
2. Jug Filling: Pour milk just below the spout level.
3. Purge the Steam Wand: Remove any water and air before starting.
4. Frothing Technique: Position the steam wand at a 45-degree angle, submerge it just under the milk surface, and start frothing. Lower the jug slowly to introduce air and create a smooth vortex.
5. Final Stretch: Continue frothing until the milk is hot but not boiling, stopping at around 65°C.

Pouring Latte Art

1. Prepare Your Espresso and Milk: Let your milk rest to allow bubbles to rise and dissipate.
2. First Attempt: Pour the milk into the espresso, creating a base. Pour slowly and low to control the milk flow and create patterns.
3. Pattern Techniques:
   • Heart: Tilt the cup, pour in the center, wiggle slightly, lift up and pull through.
   • Rosetta: Wiggle back and forth then lift up and pull through at the end.
   • Tulip: Pour multiple blobs and then lift up and pull through at the end.

Common Tips and Tricks

• Timing is Key: Ensure your espresso and milk are ready simultaneously to avoid delays.
• Adjust Your Grind: If the espresso is coming out too fast and you're rushing to place the cups underneath the spouts then adjust to a finer grind.
• Practice Consistency: Consistent hissing and spinning during frothing create silky milk.
• Double Jugging: Pour off excess foam into another jug for better control.

Conclusion

Creating latte art on the Breville Dual Boiler is achievable with practice and the right techniques. Start with simple patterns like hearts, then progress to more complex designs like tulips and rosettas. Remember, it’s all about the quality of your milk and the control of your pour.

With these tips, you're ready to impress your friends and family with beautiful latte art. Happy brewing!