Courtesy of Espresso Hobbyist

What’s so awesome about a latte?  Why the art of course!  An increasingly popular practice of pouring freshly steamed milk into an espresso shot to create a wondrous design on the surface, called latte or coffee art is a sensation sweeping barista bars throughout the nation!

The origins of this innovative art form are shrouded in mystery.  Some say the ancient Assyrians and Egyptians partook in the activity for recreational amusement.  Others believe that the extravagance of the Renaissance birthed the beautifully decadent decor, and that even the great Leonardo da Vinci mastered pouring exquisite designs atop his morning coffee for kicks.

Courtesy of SPRINGLEAP.COM

Courtesy of Espresso Hobbyist

Courtesy of www.weirdomatic.com

Courtesy of the Espresso Hobbyist

But the truth is nobody really knows where or why the practice developed.  The only certainty is that this quick slight of pouring hand is breathtaking when done properly.  Flowers, leaves, faces, swirls, caricatures, geometric patterns, solar systems, almost anything can be depicted in a latte if one knows how to pour, prick and shape.

So what’s the trick, apart from practice, practice, practice?  The secret is in the foam.  A lot of the end result depends on how the milk is steamed and how much froth (or foam) is created.  Not enough foam results in a mucky brown surface, while too much foam creates an all white one — a balance of both colours is needed to achieve patterning.

Courtesy of worldoflatte

The ideal constitution of milk for latte art is almost goo-like and possesses a melted marshmallow-like texture.  The espresso shot too calls for special consideration, requiring a surface of thick creamy brown foam, referred to by baristas as the crema.  Science dictates that once poured, or while in the midst of being poured, the idyllic white foam rises and sort of meets the light brown foam of the espresso shot, creating a pleasant contrast between light and dark.   The perfect canvass for making latte art.

Although with skill a talented barista can bring forth a latte design just by pouring in a specific manner, several latte artists choose to etch extra details into the foam using a thin metallic instrument, like the side of a small spoon or a coffee stirrer.  This allows for more elaborate and intricate depictions to take shape.

Check out the video below for several amazing examples of people strutting their stuff in the coffee art world.  It is truly a sight to behold, in any shape or form, and is sure to make you crave your ever important 8AM latte or cappuccino all the more.

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