Blue Bottle's lattes and cappuccinos have a uniquely rich flavor. What are their secrets or standards for selecting and preparing milk (e.g., temperature, frothing technique)?

Milk Selection

• Milk Type: Blue Bottle Coffee prioritizes whole milk for its high fat content (typically above 3.5%), which delivers a richer mouthfeel and fuller flavor. They favor organic or locally sourced milk from trusted dairies to ensure freshness and consistent quality.
• Quality Standards: Milk must be fresh (within shelf life), additive-free, and pasteurized. Blue Bottle emphasizes the milk’s natural sweetness and creamy texture, avoiding ultra-high temperature (UHT) processing to prevent flavor degradation.

Temperature Control

• Ideal Temperature: Milk is heated to 60–65°C (~140–150°F), a strict standard at Blue Bottle. This range maximizes natural sweetness while preventing scalding or caramelized bitterness.
• Control Method: Precise heating via espresso machine steam wands, monitored with thermometers or built-in sensors. Excess heat denatures proteins, affecting texture; insufficient heat fails to release full flavor.

Steaming Techniques

• Microfoam Goal: Blue Bottle emphasizes creating "microfoam"—fine, silky foam with uniform thickness (~1–2 cm)—avoiding large bubbles or separation. This enhances coffee smoothness and latte art.
• Key Steps:
  • Steam Wand Angle: Insert the wand at a 30–45° angle near the milk surface. Introduce air briefly (to create foam), then submerge deeper to swirl and heat evenly.
  • Steaming Time: Limit to 20–30 seconds to prevent coarse foam or overheating.
  • Texture Test: Tap the pitcher to pop large bubbles; swirl to integrate foam and milk, achieving a "wet paint" consistency.

Additional Standards

• Coffee-to-Milk Ratio: Lattes: 1:3 (espresso:milk); Cappuccinos: 1:1:1 (espresso:milk:foam) for balanced flavor.
• Hygiene & Consistency: Purge steam wands before each use to avoid flavor residue; staff undergo rigorous training to ensure uniform milk handling.
• Core Secret: Combining premium milk, precise temperature, and refined steaming, Blue Bottle crafts a uniquely velvety profile by preserving milk’s natural sweetness and creaminess while harmonizing with specialty coffee flavors.