by Dario Pieber

Since October, I’ve proudly become an ambassador for Urnex, and I’m beyond excited about the incredible projects we’ll be working on together. As a latte artist, coffee roaster, and course instructor, I’ve always put the quality of coffee first. This philosophy extends beyond just the coffee beans and milk in the cup—it’s also about the equipment that helps bring everything together. That’s why maintaining clean, well-kept machines and grinders is so crucial to achieving coffee excellence.

Why Cleanliness Matters in Coffee
If you’ve ever tasted espresso from a machine that hasn’t been cleaned for a week, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Old, lingering oils and residue can change the flavor of the coffee, giving it a stale or even rancid taste. Now, compare that with a coffee brewed on a spotlessly clean machine: the flavors are clear, fresh, and full-bodied. Clean equipment brings out the best in every espresso shot, giving you a solid foundation to build on for beautiful latte art.

The tricky part is that the buildup inside machines happens gradually, so you don’t notice the change from one day to the next. If you’re using the same coffee beans and the same machine, it’s even harder to tell. The coffee you taste today might still seem perfectly fine when compared to the shot you pulled yesterday. However, once you experience a fresh, clean machine, you might be shocked at the difference. What once seemed like a fine shot could actually be lacking clarity and depth, and you never noticed it until you tasted the clean version. That’s why regular maintenance is key to keeping the coffee tasting its best, day in and day out.

I recently had an experience in one of my barista classes that perfectly illustrates this. One of the participants brought in his own machine, and when we tried to dial in the coffee, no matter what adjustments we made, it just didn’t taste good. The coffee was off, no matter how we tried to fix it. After a bit of investigation, it became clear that this was a sign the machine needed a proper cleaning.

When I asked him about his cleaning routine, he simply replied, “What cleaning routine?” So, we took the time to thoroughly clean the machine—especially the showerhead and brewing group. After the cleaning, we brewed the same coffee again, and the difference was incredible. The coffee tasted great. The participant was stunned. He never imagined that the buildup inside the machine could have such an immense impact on the flavor. It was a powerful reminder that no matter how much you’re seeking better coffee, regular maintenance is absolutely essential. I’m sure from now on, he’ll be sticking to a proper cleaning routine—because he now knows how much of a difference it makes.

Plant-Based Milks and New Cleaning Regimens
With the rise of plant-based milk alternatives, our cleaning routines have had to adapt. Plant-based milks are made with different compositions and fats than dairy milk, so they can leave unique residues that require specific cleaning methods. Many traditional cleaning practices may not fully remove the residues left by plant-based milks, which could affect not only taste but also the quality of the latte art itself. Partnering with Urnex, I look forward to exploring new cleaning solutions and sharing these insights with fellow baristas, so we can maintain quality in a rapidly evolving coffee landscape.

Raising Awareness Together
As a latte artist, coffee roaster, and course instructor, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge with others. Through my partnership with Urnex, I can take that to the next level by reaching even more coffee enthusiasts and professionals. It’s about more than just cleaning products—it’s about raising awareness on how the quality of our coffee impacts the customer experience. Clean equipment means cleaner, clearer coffee, and for a latte artist, that’s everything. Through our collaboration, I’m excited to bring a greater understanding of the connection between cleanliness, coffee quality, and the artistic beauty of latte art. We want to help baristas and coffee enthusiasts alike recognize the importance of solid, consistent cleaning practices so they can deliver the best possible coffee, every time.

I’m thrilled to bring these ideas to life alongside Urnex and can’t wait to share more of what’s coming next.

 

 

Dario Pieber is a 2x Swiss Latte Art Champion (2023 and 2024) and placed 4th at the World Latte Art Championship in 2024. With over 6 years of experience as a barista and coffee trainer, he is passionate about elevating the coffee craft. Dario is also the founder of the Dario Pieber Milk Jugs, designed to enhance latte art performance, and since April 2023, he has been the co-CEO of Rent a Barista. As a roaster for 3 years, Dario continues to push the boundaries of coffee excellence, making his mark in the industry as an entrepreneur and coffee expert.

Find Dario on IG: @DarioPieber

https://www.dariopieber.com/