Making of a Latte

The music inside the store is blasting and the heater by the door keeps turning on every time a customer walks in. The loud noises all blend together into a feeling of urgency. Some people are on their phone waiting for their orders and on my right my fellow co-worker is leaning close to the plexiglass, trying to hear the costumers order. I grab the cold, grey metal pitcher by its curvy handle and place it on the countertop while I reach for the almond milk inside my fridge. I slam the fridge a little too hard and lean over and pour the milk to the very first indentation inside the pitcher. I grab the steaming wand and pull it towards, placing the pitcher underneath it. I pull down the handle letting the hot air come out of the wand into the top layer of my milk, letting it aerate for six seconds so I can create a layer of foam. I place it down letting it steam the milk for the rest of the time automatically. I place my cup on the metal rack of the espresso machines and queue the shots for the drink. While I wait I grab the next sticker so I can see what drink I need to start prepping next. As I pump the syrup into the cup I can smell the sweet aroma o the cinnamon dolce through the cup. A customer across the counter comes up to me and tells me their name, indicating they have a mobile. I see that it is the drink I am currently working on and let them know it will be out in a minute. My espresso shots and milk finish steaming at the same time and I pull the pitcher out and clean my wand with the rag under the machine and let it run through so no milk buildup happens. I tap my milk pitcher on the counter trying to get the right consistency. I tilt the cup and pour the milk into it in a circular motion. The coffee and milk blend together creating a nice light brown color. As I get closer to the top of the cup I start moving my hand from side to side, attempting to create a little flower. I have been practicing my latte art. Instead of a pretty flower, however, it looks more like wavy lines running from side to side on the cup. I finish pouring and put some cinnamon on top, grab a lid, sleeve and stopper and hand the order out to the individual feeling a little better that they won’t actually look at my failed attempt to make a flower.