January 30, 2020 5 min read

How To Choose The Best Latte Art Pitcher

Asaf Rauch
A Latte Art instructor, 10-year Barista & Baristaswag.com founder

Any self-respecting barista knows that choosing the right milk pitcher for latte art makes a huge difference. Having the right one in your arsenal of tools and equipment can provide a significant bit of help when it comes to the precision of your pour – which ultimately affects the quality of the latte art.

Unfortunately, with a gazillion different latte art pitchers and milk frothing jugs available online – finding the right one can quickly turn into an overwhelming and confusing quest.

When you start exploring your options, you'll quickly realize that there's a whole plethora of different designs, sizes, material compositions, and even color options to choose from.

Now, typically – having lots of choice isn't a bad thing by any means.

But when you're trying to pick out a single one – it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Thankfully, here at BaristaSwag, we've got the expertise and know-how when it comes to picking out the best of the best in terms of barista gear, equipment – and latte art pitchers in particular. And that's exactly why we've decided to put together a guide on everything you need to know to pick out the best latte art pitcher for yourself.

Let's dive right in!

What Makes A Good Pitcher?

When we think about the makings of a "good pitcher" - most of us tend to consider 4 main factors off the bat. Those factors are size, width, materials, and the shape of the spout. Despite the fact that they all seem kind of obvious, each one of these factors has a pretty significant impact on the quality of your latte art.

Let's start with the width.

Why is width important?

Have you ever heard of micro-foam? Just kidding – of course you have! Micro-foam gives us the optimal texture for free-pour designs, and the milk itself actually tastes pretty amazing as well.

So, how is micro-foam related to the width of your pitcher? If the jug is wide enough, it creates a small whirlpool as you steam the milk. This whirlpool creates micro-foam by breaking down the bubbles and allowing the milk to be evenly heated and very well-aerated.

However, if your jug isn't wide enough – then you'll totally be missing out on this effect, and your lattes just won't be as tasty by comparison.

(The Ada Crew Wide-Spout Latte Art Pitcher by BaristaSwag)

Why is the size of your pitcher important?

When it comes to picking out the right size – the most common options available to you are going to be either 12oz or 20oz. And even though both smaller and larger-sized options exist, they're generally a little less "conventional" per se.

So what do you really need to consider when it comes to choosing a size? The number one question you should keep in mind boils down to how much milk you're planning to use for the beverage you're making.

If your pitcher is too full, the milk will just overflow as you steam it. On the other hand, if it's too empty – it won't come out well-aerated since the steaming wand won't really be submerged properly.

You want to aim at having the milk sit just below the spout, at roughly 70% of the depth of the jug.

Does the material of the pitcher matter?

This is the topic of a pretty wide debate that really comes down to your personal preference. However, we strongly recommend that you aim for a pitcher that's made from stainless steel.

The main reasoning behind our recommendation is the fact that stainless steel will help retain the heat and keep the temperature consistent. Keep in mind that you're going to be heating up the milk to around 70°C (approximately 160°F), so you also want something that won't scorch your hands.

While most of us get used to how hot a stainless steel pitcher can get, if you're not comfortable with that level of heat – you can always opt to go with a Teflon-coated one instead.

Let's talk about spouts!

While some of the other factors we've mentioned so far can be a little less intuitive - the spout is something that every barista knows about, regardless of their skill level or how long they've been in the industry.

And while you'll often hear the argument that a "real barista" can put together some of the most Instagram-worthy lattes with practically any milk jug they have on hand - let's be honest.

Having the right spout on your pitcher makes a tonne of difference (and can help even amateur baristas bring mesmerizing drinks to life).

Most people start out with a classic spout. This is because it helps us pour nice, smooth, and consistent "blobs" of micro-foam. But, if you're planning to get into slightly more complex designs than hearts or tulips, you may want to opt for a pitcher with a sharper spout instead.

All of the different spout we can choose from really help us play around with the level of control, consistency, and the shape of the pour itself.

(A fan-submitted video of a Rosetta made with the new Evo Pitcher, talk about precision!)

So having learned all about the 4 main factors behind choosing the best latte art pitcher - you might be thinking that you'll need to start building up a whole arsenal of milk jugs. With a milk jug practically specific to each of the different creations you're planning to make.

And when it comes to most of the pitchers you can find and buy online - you're not far from the truth.

But, what if we told you that you really only need one pitcher? What if there was one single pitcher to rule them all and help you create just about any latte art design you can imagine?

Introducing – The Evo Pitcher

We've put together all of our combined expertise over the past decade to create one single pitcher that will revolutionize your approach to creating latte-art.

The Evo Pitcher features a patented curved body and symmetrical handle that allows for a universally comfortable grip, a more precise push, and a very intuitive, effortless wiggle motion while pouring. This results in a hyper-precise pour, while its sharp spout offers an amazing level of versatility for baristas of any skill levels.

Whether you're a veteran or just starting your latte art journey – the Evo Pitcher will allow you to effortlessly create any designs you can think of, from rosettas to tulips and even competition patterns.

It's time to forget about side pours, annoying wrist strain, or having to change your grip a million times - the Evo Pitcher is here, and it's going to change the way you do latte art forever!

Check It Out