Latte Art, from the English “art of caffelatte,” is a phenomenon that has exploded on social media, highlighting the particular technique for preparing this iconic beverage. In this article, we explain the origins of this practice, the opportunities it offers, and some secrets to achieve it.
What is it?
Latte Art has undoubtedly become the most interesting artistic expression for coffee lovers, but what exactly does it consist of? And what is the origin of this name? It is a technique for preparing cappuccino that originated in Italy in the 1980s and allows for the creation of designs with milk foam at the moment the cappuccino is poured. What enables drawing in coffee is therefore a carefully obtained blend that elevates the cappuccino above the usual “latte” (caffelatte).
The beginning
The first to develop the design that made latte art popular was David Schomer, with the rose pattern, then evolved into a complex tulip. Since then, this discipline has established itself and gained considerable importance in bartending schools. Although this practice is in every respect a form of art, what makes it interesting to coffee enthusiasts is the careful preparation of the coffee blend and milk, on which the success of the design depends. 
Latte Art today
But it doesn't end here. As in all artistic movements, latte art has also evolved. The traditional designs of swans, roses, and tulips that have driven the world crazy have spread, raising the bar for all artists and pushing towards increasingly complex designs... even in 3D!
From Japan to Italy, baristas (and artists) around the world challenge gravity by recreating characters from cartoons like Pokémon, Doraemon, and Stitch. Among them is the very creative Tony Berry, who with his charm and talent has managed to win over millions of users on TikTok, giving new popularity to the "Porto di ripetta Bar" in Rome, where he has worked for 7 years.
The opportunities
As demonstrated by the case of Tony Berry, latte art offers baristas a great opportunity to enhance their business (and their talent), leveraging the public's constant search for visually appealing products. Knowing the techniques and tricks behind the preparation of breathtaking cappuccinos can therefore become a trump card for any barista.
Here are some tips on how to create the three most well-known designs:
Heart - It is the simplest of the shapes, created by pouring the foam in the center of the coffee. Once the foam has created a small circle, just make a downward movement to split the shape in two and give life to a heart.
Rosetta - This design requires more manual skill: it is created by swinging the foam left and right while pouring, in order to create a zigzag pattern. The design is completed by dividing the pattern in half with a quick movement from top to bottom.
Tulip - This technique is the most complex and consists of creating multiple overlapping circles, which once "cut" in half recreate an image very similar to a tulip.
The mysteries of latte art are still many, what we can be sure of is that among cocoa portraits and foam sculptures, the breakfasts that await us in the future will be true works of art.
