There’s something comforting about Day 3.

By now, the routine is starting to feel familiar—the grinder hum, the steam wand warming, the gentle clink of ceramic cups on the counter. This isn’t about speed or perfection. It’s about showing up again, making another cup, and learning something new each time.

Today’s focus was mostly on lattes, with a few cappuccinos and cortados woven in. Lattes give us the best balance for practicing latte art—the right mix of espresso, milk, and foam—without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

And today, we introduced something new:

Wonderstate Heartland Espresso.

Trying a New Coffee: Wonderstate Heartstrings Espresso

Heartstrings Espresso is a medium roast, and from the very first sip, it stood out. It’s incredibly smooth on its own, but once milk is added, it transforms into something even better—soft, sweet, and almost caramel-like.

It’s the kind of espresso that doesn’t fight the milk. Instead, it complements it.

That balance made it a perfect choice for today’s latte-focused practice.

Dialing In: Finding Our Sweet Spot

We started by making my husband’s cup first. As we tasted it, we wondered if we could go slightly finer on the grind to pull just a bit more from the shot.

But when it came time for my latte, my pour ended up a little short. That moment alone told us everything we needed to know.

So we went back to what’s been working best for us:

Grind setting at 7.

And once again—it proved to be the right call.

The espresso was balanced, smooth, and forgiving. Even when things weren’t perfect, the cup still tasted wonderful.

Latte Art Reality: When the Cup Whites Out

Let’s talk about the pour.

I’ll be honest—I may have whited out my latte. If you’re learning latte art, you know exactly what that means. Too much milk, too fast, not enough patience.

The biggest thing I noticed today wasn’t the milk texture—it was my speed.

I tend to get nervous once I start pouring. Instead of slowing down and trusting the process, I pour quicker, and the contrast disappears. The art fades into white.

And yet…

The latte still tasted incredible.

That’s something I’m really trying to hold onto during this journey:

A cup doesn’t have to be visually perfect to be deeply enjoyable.

Learning to Slow Down

Coffee has a funny way of teaching patience.

You can’t rush espresso.

You can’t force latte art.

And you definitely can’t learn without making a few (or many) imperfect cups along the way.

Today reminded me that slowing down isn’t just about technique—it’s about mindset. When I breathe, relax, and pour with intention, the cup improves. When I rush, everything tightens.

This is something I’m actively working on, one cup at a time.

A Quiet Video by Design

Like the previous days, this video is intentionally quiet. There’s no talking—just the sounds of grinding, steaming, pouring, and soft, calming music in the background.

I wanted the process to speak for itself.

Coffee can be loud and fast in so many spaces. This felt like a chance to let it be slow.

What Day 3 Taught Me

• Wonderstate Heartstrings Espresso pairs beautifully with milk
• Grind setting 7 continues to be our most reliable choice
• Slowing down the pour matters more than I think
• Even “failed” latte art can still make an incredible drink
• Learning is happening—even when it feels subtle

Looking Ahead

I’m genuinely excited to keep working with this coffee. There’s so much potential in it, and I can already tell it’s going to be a favorite as we continue practicing.

Day 3 wasn’t about perfection.

It was about progress, patience, and enjoying the cup in front of me.

And honestly? I can’t wait to make another.