Watched a barista in Portland pour my latte and it changed how I steam milk at home
I was in Portland last month visiting my sister and stopped at a small shop near her place for a latte. The barista let the steam wand sit in the milk for a couple seconds before tilting the pitcher, and the foam came out so smooth it looked like wet paint. I asked her about it and she said she always starts with the tip just under the surface to build the base first. I tried it with my $25 pitcher at home the next morning and got the nicest microfoam I've made in two years of trying. My kids even noticed their hot chocolate was creamier. Has anyone else picked up a small move from watching a pro that made a big difference?
Did you ever try the trick where you stop steaming before it gets too hot? I always figured foam was all about how hard you push the steam, so I'd crank it and end up with big bubbles every time. Then a guy at a shop in Seattle showed me he barely opens the valve and just holds the tip near the top for those first few seconds, same as your barista. My milk got way silkier after that, and I had to admit I'd been doing it wrong for years.