They may not know that the city is home to such giants of the magazine publishing world as Fresh Cup, Barista Magazine and Roast. Or that one of the premier institutes of higher latte learning, The American Barista & Coffee School, operates out of an old brick warehouse on the Willamette River's east bank.

There, surrounded by hulking espresso machines that purred and hissed like cats during a class earlier this week, Bruce Milletto pronounced: "Portland has become the epicenter of coffee in the U.S."

Such a grandiose proclamation might sound boosterish. But Milletto, the coffee school's president, sees small roasters setting up shop in Portland and students traveling from around the globe to attend courses for home coffee brewers, coffeehouse owners, novice baristas and those aiming to compete in such events as this weekend's big barista smackdown.

Concurrent with the championship, the school this week offered two workshops, one in sensory skills for coffee pros and one in the heady details of latte art.

Nine students tied black aprons around their waists and gathered 'round as instructors Jared Mockli and Matt Milletto, Bruce's son, explained the fine points of crafting lattes so lovely they could show in any First Thursday art walk.

Matt Milletto, the school's training director, is bearded, vested and moves around his classroom with all the confidence of an Ivy League professor or a Renaissance man, weaving chemistry with physics and economics with aesthetics. Each of them matters, as any barista worth her nutmeg knows.

He explained that in order to pour a perfect latte, the coffee must be top-notch, like Stumptown's Hair Bender blend, and used, ideally, within two to eight days after roasting. Grind only enough for the beverage you're making, he advised. Level the grounds in the portafilter basket with a smooth sweep of the hand, tamp it down and introduce it to a glistening, Italian-made espresso machine. When they've said buon giorno, extract a smooth stream of crema, or rusty espresso, into a pre-heated ceramic cup.

Click here to read full article and to watch ABC’s Matt Milletto and Jared Mockli teach latte art.