Brewista joined forces with Irvine Quek, the youngest winner of the World Latte Art Competition, to innovate a pitcher that helps you get the control you need to make perfectly-frothed coffee creations. The Nasty Jug’s unconventional name epitomizes its bold look, along with a professional design to help beginners and aficionados alike master the art of the foam.

Our design team of Q Grade certified coffee experts worked with Irvine to meticulously craft a frothing pitcher like no other. The Nasty Jug embodies  attention to detail and serious thought in the art and science of latte art. Here, we break down the inspiration behind the design and the anatomy of the Nasty Jug:

• Pitcher volumes for finer foam and refined pouring movements
• The intentionally designed belly for a smoother pour
• A unique elliptical shape that allows you to draw closer to the liquid surface
• The handle that puts complete control in your hands
• V-shaped spout that allows for precise control over every pour
• Flow-guidance groove that produces crystal-clear art

It’s now time to geek out.

Pitcher Volume: Two Is Better Than One?

Are you wondering why most baristas use two milk pitchers, both a large and a small, when creating latte art?

The majority of milk frothing jugs are 450 mL to 550 mL in size. Because of these smaller volumes, milk circulates more quickly within the jug when using a steaming wand, producing a finer foam. The milk that was frothed in the smaller-volume pitcher is then poured into a larger-volume pitcher, a technique known in the industry as “pitcher transfer.” This method allows you to achieve a rich mixture of milk and foam.

Additionally, milk pitchers that are used for latte art are typically 600 mL to 700 mL in size, which is over twice the volume of competitive latte art cups. The size of the pitcher affects its angle of incline when performing pouring movements, impacting the initiation and completion of the pour. A capacity of 600 mL keeps the flow of foam closer to the cup when pouring, facilitating artistic pours for beginners and aficionados alike.

The Belly: A Smoother Pour

In contrast with most pitchers you see today, the lower half of the Nasty Jug body features a belly, circular expansion designed primarily for use with a dry foam pour technique.

By keeping the last bit of foam in the flow-guidance groove, and widening the pitcher’s surface area, a smooth pour is guaranteed while the excessively dry foam is stopped from leaving the pitcher.

A Unique Elliptical Shape: Draw Closer To the Liquid Surface

Have you ever noticed that nearly every pitcher you see today has a circular shape?

When creating latte art, there are often swift side-to-side movements required. Comparing a circular-shaped pitcher with our elliptical-shaped pitcher, the elliptical-shaped design allows the mouth of the pitcher to draw closer to the liquid surface. The moving foam is concentrated closer to the front, resulting in greater control throughout the pouring process.

The Handle: Complete Control In Your Hands

The handle of the Nasty Jug pitcher is unique, featuring three different bending points. Each point allows for a different specialized technique.

A – The handle can be held from this position when the foam needs to be very concentrated. This provides greater control when pouring finer images, such as thin heads of wheat.

B – Because this position is further away from the foam compared to A, the force behind the pour will be greater, resulting in a fuller drawing.

C – Moving further down the length of the handle from B, the palm will move closer to the body of the pitcher, allowing for greater stability and control when pouring.

Of course, each individual is accustomed to their own method of holding their pitcher handle, and these are a few methods suggested by Brewista and Irvine. Feel free to try them out if they are new to you – you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by the results.

V-Shaped Spout: Precise Control Over Every Pour

The Nasty Jug features a V-shaped spout for precision pour control. With this shape, side-to-side movements are smoother, the flow of foam is steadier, and precise drawings are easier to achieve. In addition, the width of the pouring mouth allows for even greater flow control throughout the pour.

Flow-Guidance Groove: Produce Crystal-Clear Art

The Nasty Jug features a lengthened flow-guidance groove, which provides a buffer during the pour for better flow control. The depth of the groove means that it is able to store enough wet foam following the completion of a movement, and not ruin the drawing when beginning the next movement. Instead, there is a clean break after each pour, resulting in a crystal-clear final drawing.

The Color of Limitless Possibilities

Just as the ocean provides a feeling of intimate and boundless power, the Nasty Jug’s classic blue color expresses profound tranquility and strength. The home coffee experience, for many, brings a sense of calm and centering that empowers you to take on the day.

For us, the Nasty Jug’s classic blue is symbolic of creating limitless possibilities.

Ready to see the Nasty Jug in action? Watch the video below.

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