For beginner and intermediate latte artists: new Decent Milk jugs
We've released a new version of our Decent Milk Jugs, now offering a different model aimed at beginner/intermediate latte artists. Let me explain a bit of the history behind this product.
When I first designed our milk jug, there were a few things going on:
- I was learning latte art and milk steaming, and wanted to obtain measurements to help me along.
- Measuring milk volume helped me avoid milk waste, but also helped me learn the amount of appropriate “milk lift” for each type of drink. Thus, inside we printed mL/ounce markings.
- I also wanted easy thermometer use, as 3rd wave coffee was moving toward cooler milk (50ºC to 55ºC) but also that overheating milk (over 65ºC) permanently alters its sugars and makes the drink taste bad. The difference can be just mere seconds and is very difficult to judge by hand. So, we developed a way to quickly insert and remove a thermometer, using a precisely drilled hole.
- I wanted help designing the jug for latte art, and recruited 20 competition latte artists. Their feedback was to make the spout straight, linear, pointed, so that changes in jug pouring angle, translated directly into changes to the width of the milk “brush” they are “painting” the latte art with.
- That “competition” spout is what we've been selling for 8 years.
- However, I've found that those new to latte art struggle with the greater skills needed to control the brush width.
- They instead wanted to easily make traditional latte art shapes like rosetta, tulips and hearts.
- Over the past year we've tested many milk spout shapes, and settle on a wide, rolled spout. It gives the same wide brush, without needing to develop advanced skills, and makes it easy to pour the main traditional shapes. That's the new “wide spout” milk jug we've released today.
- We've also teamed up with author Dennis Hew to release free PDF books on latte art.
Two Sizes
For steaming one or two milk drinks.
Also, some latte artists prefer to steam in a small jug, transfer the milk, and pour art from the larger jug.
Thermometer Mounting Hole
Our unique design lets you slide in and tap to lock our digital thermometer in place. The thermometer easily slides out with a twist. No need to get frustrated with thermometer clips. So sturdy, you can fearlessly pour latte art with the thermometer still in place.
Narrow vs wide milk spout
The wide spout is best for beginner to intermediate latte artists, as it's much easier to make the standard latte art patterns.
Milk spreads out wider, making full cup tulips and rosetta quite easily. The wide spout tends to give you just one line width, and so demands less of the artist.
On the other hand, the narrow spout is best for advanced latte artists, as it lets you draw very fine lines, as well as featuring linear control over the milk line width as you pour.
Measurement lines
Precise measurement lines in mL and ounces. No more throwing away the remainder of your jug after each drink. Also serves as a guide for how much foam to make for each type of milk drink:
- 25% more volume for a flat white
- 50% more volume for a latte
- 100% more volume for a cappuccino.
Updated 2025/03/21