Latte Art

Latte art is a method of preparing coffee created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso and resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the resulting latte. It can also be created or embellished by simply "drawing" in the top layer of foam (Wikipedia)

Latte art is one aspect of coffeemaking that combines fun, art and technology. At a glance it looks rather like a whimsical and playful activity, but it is actually a serious topic for baristas around the world, because it requires learning a painstaking technique, a certain amount of precision and dedication to pull off, as well as a basic knowledge of chemistry.

There are two main types of latte art -- etching and free pouring. In free pouring, the two most common forms are rosettes (mostly done in lattes) and hearts (usually in macchiatos). Etching usually involves more complicated shapes and designs (e.g., animals, flowers, faces, crosshatched patterns); typically, it also has a shorter lifespan.

Annual Latte Art Competition. One unmistakable indication of latte art's growing popularity is the annual competition known as the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC). This yearly event draws thousands of coffee enthusiasts, industry watchers, advertisers, reporters, and spectators from various parts of the globe, who come together to watch baristas show off their arty and delicious concoctions. In this contest, competitors are judged based on visual attributes, creativity, identical patterns in the pairs, contrast in patterns, and overall performance. The World Latte Art Championship is now on its 9th year, and each year the venue for this 3-day affair varies.

3D Latte Art. Below are a few samples of meticulously crafted 3D latte art.

 

(Created by Kohei Matsuno)