If you take a quick look you will see that there is an abundance of different milk jugs available in literally every shape, design, color, weight and style you can think of. So what are the important things you should be looking for when you are going to buy a latte art Milk Pitcher?

Size

The first thing to consider is what size milk pitcher you will be needing. As a general rule you want a pitcher that is about 2-3 times the size of the cup you will be pouring into. The two main sizes that Milk jugs come in are 12 oz and 20 oz.

When it comes to frothing your milk, the ideal amount will sit just below the base of the spout about one-third of the way up the jug. If you fill your jug too high the milk will overflow when you are steaming it, and if you fill it too low the steaming wand won`t be submerged properly so you won`t achieve the microfoam you need for latte art.

Width

When it comes to frothing milk you really need to be aiming to create microfoam. Microfoam is the finely textured milk that is used to create latte art; it is velvety smooth and looks like shiny wet paint. In order to create Microfoam you need to create a whirlpool when you are steaming the milk. A whirlpool helps break down the bubbles in the milk and allows it to be evenly heated and aerated and this is where the width of your latte art milk pitcher comes in. You need a milk jug that is wide enough to create a whirlpool. If the milk jug is too narrow when you add a steaming wand into the mix there is not enough room for the milk to move around.

Spout Shape

While experienced baristas can create flawless latte art with any milk jug, if you are just starting out you will find that different spout shapes make it easier or harder to create certain designs.

The 2 main spout shapes are classic which are shorter and rounder and sharper spouts which have narrower and more pointed spouts:

Classic spouts are good for beginners. They help you pour smoothly and consistently. These are good for basic designs like a Heart or Slowsetta.

Sharp spouts are good for more complex designs such as Rosettas or Swans as they give you more control for detailed designs.

Material

The best material for a latte art pitcher is stainless steel. Stainless steel helps retain heat and is a very hardy material so can stand up to being heated to high temperatures and washed repeatedly. If you are wanting a milk pitcher without a handle you may find that the jug heats up too much so it would be better to opt for a milk jug with a Teflon coating.

Design

The final thing to consider is how does the milk jug look? Is it going to be a piece of coffee equipment that you are proud to leave on display? Does it feel nice to hold when you are steaming and pouring milk? Are you wanting a handle or do you find it easier to pour without a handle? Is this latte art pitcher going to give you the control and precision you need to pour those beautiful designs?

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