Why Your Latte Art Keeps Falling Apart (And It's Not Your Technique)

Most baristas skip straight to the swan before they fix the pour. If your milk is sinking through the crema like a stone, the pattern doesn't matter — the foundation isn't there yet. Here's what's actually going wrong.

Mistake 1: Hesitating with the stream

Confidence is part of the technique. A hesitant pour breaks the flow and kills your ability to sit milk on top of the crema where it belongs. Commit to the pour before the jug leaves the bench. Once you start, don't stop.

Mistake 2: Floating the jug

If you're holding the jug high because you're nervous about getting too close, you're working against yourself. Height kills control. Get uncomfortably close to the surface of the drink — closer than feels right — and keep it there throughout the pour.

Mistake 3: Overfilling before you start your pattern

You need room to draw. If the cup is nearly full by the time you try to introduce a pattern, there's nowhere left to work with. Start your pattern at half-full. That's not a suggestion — it's where the canvas actually begins.

The short version

Pour with intent, get close, and start your pattern at half-full. In that order. Your latte art won't be Instagram-ready tomorrow, but nail these three things and everything else gets easier from here.

For more tips like this, follow us on Instagram where we break down common mistakes every week. And if you want to work on this hands-on, check out our barista courses in Sydney — we'll have you pouring with confidence in no time.