I have mentioned before that my Latte Art is just a trifle below standard, I can produce and excellent 3D Blob and an occasional childish representation of a human rib cage that was meant to be a rosette.
In order to improve my technique I purchased a stick on thermometer strip that claimed to highlight the exact temperature of 65C when the milk would be perfect for the purpose. I attached the strip to the base of my Motta jug and with high hopes started to heat the milk, first with just the tip to expand the milk and then the plunge to heat it up to the required temperature.
So up goes the heat, up, up, up, my asbestos hand could no longer stand the pain so I snatched it away. The temperature strip was unchanged, each black section marked from 60C to 90C gazed blankly at me. At last one section began to turn blue, the sign that the milk was heated to the temperature indicated. Trouble was it started to show at 85C, and yet another dream of artistic fame shattered. Why do we fall for the rubbish they claim will aid our (I mean my) pathetic attempts to impress the family and friend.