Latte art is a method of decorating the surface of a latte, a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk, by pouring steamed milk into the coffee in such a way as to create a pattern or design on the surface of the drink. The most common designs include hearts, leaves, rosettes, and other shapes.
The art of latte is created by pouring steamed milk into the espresso in a precise way. Baristas use a tool called a pitcher, also known as a jug or a milk frothing pitcher, to pour the milk. The pitcher is held at an angle and the milk is poured slowly and gently, creating a pattern on the surface of the drink.
Latte art is considered to be a form of culinary art, similar to cake decoration or plating in fine dining. It requires a good understanding of the properties of milk and the use of the right tools, as well as a lot of practice. It also requires a good understanding of the espresso shot, the temperature and the texture of the milk.
Latte art is not only visually pleasing, but it can also indicate the quality of the milk and the espresso shot. A well-made latte art is an indicator of a properly extracted espresso shot and well-textured milk.
There are various competitions held for latte art and it has gained popularity in recent years. Some of the competitions include World Latte Art Championship, World Coffee Events and Specialty Coffee Association of America.
