There’s a ‘new’ trend on the design scene, but it is not presented to us by means of paints or sculpture. It’s Latte Art and has become a very creative way to add a dose of inspiration to any cup of foam-topped coffee.
What is Latte Art?
So, what exactly is Latte Art you ask? Well, it’s actually a method of utilizing steamed milk to design pretty and artistic images for garnishing the top of a cup of coffee. And this artful skill has in fact, become so popular, that there are world-wide competitions being held to offer the masters an opportunity to show off their techniques!
Artistic milk designs are most commonly seen atop a cup of latte because the ratio of milk to foam is idyllic. But baristas are also performing this innovative garnishing method on other caffeinated creations such as cappuccino and espresso macchiato (espresso served with an additional level of foamed topping).
How Do They Make Latte Art?
These types of coffee garnishment techniques can be created with the use of an at-home
espresso coffee maker or a
commercial automatic espresso machine as well, by using very cold, fresh milk (just above the degrees of freezing for best results) poured into a chilled, straight walled pitcher, and then stretching the milk by use of the coffee machine’s steam wand. The milk is swirled as it’s steamed and then poured slowly and steadily into the cup at first. Then, additional swirling and sweeping motions are incorporated to create the likes of a heart or flower, for example.
Another method for designing frothy, milk-based images to top off coffee can be achieved with a technique referred to as etching. This type of imagery can by created with the use of stencils in combination with milk powder, as well as the foam.
Art Adds Flavor
The most classic coffee-topped images consist of a leaf, rosette and heart pattern although café baristas (as well as those at home) are continually striving to come up with new inspiration within this realm. Innovated as more of an aesthetic means for the consuming public to recognize espresso making as a culinary art, the flavor of the coffee itself, to our delight, is also enhanced. Because as a result of the methods used in creating the design work, the foamed milk is rich and velvety as it works together within its own micro-bubbled texture.
You Can Do it Too!
If you’d like to try your hand at creating latte art, you can conveniently
buy automatic espresso machines online. But keep in mind that a barista who has mastered the techniques of this art form will definitely share in the opinion that this method of garnishment is an acquired skill. They will, most likely, also let you know that it hardly happens over night. It takes a lot of practice but once achieved, is a wonderful way to add some flavorful and artistic pizzazz to your cup of espresso, cappuccino or latte.
Article Source: http://www.artsymmetry.com
About the Authors
Andréanne Hamel and Luc Cloutier and I are a team of business owners and espresso lovers, combining their passion for publishing online and their coffee affair into their espresso machines website. Their purpose is to offer valuable coffee and espresso insight to individuals interested in their home espresso machine, as well as to coffee shop and restaurant owners, in a fun and entertaining way through their articles.
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