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Latte Art |
If you have ever been in a coffee shop that offers more than the fast food version of good coffee, then you have probably seen the work of art that goes along with making a beautiful and delicious latte or coffee art.
Coffee artists, or baristas, can make amazing coffee designs ranging from hearts to more complex works of arts like the solar system or faces. It is truly amazing what they can do with coffee and all it takes is a little know how and a lot of practice.
Here on this site, we can offer you the know-how but you will need to practice. To get us started, let’s look at the tools of the trade and also at a few tips that will help pave the road on your way to becoming a barista.
Tools of the Trade:
• The Espresso Machine: If you are serious about becoming a Coffee Artist, then you will need a good espresso machine. Cheap and average quality do not cut it. Find one that not only makes excellent espresso but also has an excellent steam wand. You want one of the best when it comes to the steam wand since the secret to amazing art is in the steamed milk.
• Pins: Some artists will use simple pins and others will use toothpicks, or even pin tools that you can pick up at craft stores. Basically, you want something with a fine end to it, like a pin, that is also easy to hold. The last thing you want is for the pin to slip out of your hand and for you to lose the detail you were creating.
• Stencils: Believe it or not, you can purchase stencils for coffee art. This is not something that you need and many coffee artists create freely but it does add a little extra to a design if you know how and where to add the detail.
• Squeeze Bottles: Many coffee designs calls for a little bit of chocolate syrup or other kinds of syrups so having a good squeeze bottle is essential for making beautiful flowers or chocolate swirls to the coffee. Make sure it is one that doesn’t drip too heavily when it is squeezed.
• The Steam Pitcher: This is essential in pouring the milk and it is always recommended that you use a steam pitcher that has straight walls and a sharp spout. The more controlled your pour, the better.
• Cups: Of course you need the cups but the recommended cup is a 14 ounce latte cup. It is just the right size to take all the extra milk.
And there are the tools of the trade. I am sure that every artist has a secret tool that makes the coffee art that much better but if you are just starting out, everything above is all you need.
Tips of the Trade:
• Use only homogenized milk. I know that everyone is watching those calories and many health officials suggest that you use a skim or 1% milk instead of whole milk but to create stunning artwork, you really need to use 100% homogenized milk. Also, always use fresh milk for each cup of coffee. This may seem like a little much but you will get the best effect if you follow this rule of thumb; new coffee, new milk.
• When you are pouring your milk, you should create a slight shaking that you only use with your wrist. Practice the motion with water before you even start making your coffee art.
• Refrigeration is key. If you keep the steam pitchers and the milk cold, you will be able to create the velvety texture needed. The milk should be kept just above freezing.
• Purchase a high end espresso machine. I know I already touched on this but it is key to making coffee art. The steam wand is one of the most important elements to creating coffee art and for this reason, you will be looking at paying around 500 dollars for the machine.
And there are a few tips for you. Please feel free to browse through our site to learn even more about the art of coffee making.
This great little coffee art tutorial just goes to show that anyone can make beautiful latte designs! Get a bird’s eye view into the designs of this barista and learn a couple of new designs to try out on your own. How to create latte art designs:
The 1920′s were full of interesting artwork including a variety of art-deco coffee cups, but our favorite 1920′s coffee art came from Leonetto Cappiello. One of the most famous pieces of coffee art from the 1920′s was Leonetto Cappiello’s espresso ad entitled La Victoria Arduino: Cappiello was born in 1875 in Livorno, Italy and died in 1942 [...]
Here are some latte art pictures for your viewing pleasure! Coffee Break by Joy Freschly “Coffee from a place called Murky’s if I remember correctly, in Washington, D.C.” Cafe Au Lait by Allison Choppick “Cafe Au Lait in a Montreal cafe, where they practice art in the form of original designs in the whipped cream.” [...]
