Latte art, sometimes called cappuccino art, is an art form where patterns are drawn or miniature sculptures are created on the surface of milk-based coffee drinks like cappuccinos or lattes using steamed milk foam.

It's commonly referred to as coffee art.

Creating latte art is particularly challenging as it demands specific requirements for the espresso shot and milk. The quality of latte art is influenced by the barista's expertise and the quality of the espresso machine used in the process.

There are two primary techniques widely employed: "free pouring" (patterns formed while pouring the milk foam) and "etching" (using tools like a coffee stirrer or etching needle to create designs on the surface of poured milk). "Free pouring" is more prevalent in American coffeehouses and demands more preparation time during coffee crafting.

The most common poured patterns include heart shapes, rosettas, and fern-like leaves. Heart shapes are more accessible to create and often used in crafting macchiatos, while rosettas are more intricate and familiar in preparing lattes. More complex designs are also achievable, requiring multiple pours.

Etched designs range from simple geometric shapes to intricate drawings with shading, such as animals, flowers, and more detailed illustrations. Some plans require the use of a tool to fix the conditions. However, latte art using etching techniques tends to degrade faster due to the foam breaking down more quickly.

Latte art combines coffee oils and microfoam milk (steamed with a steam wand in an espresso machine) to form the designs. As both components, coffee and foam, are inherently unstable (coffee dissipates, foam turns back into liquid milk), the art must be appreciated immediately upon completion, as meticulously crafted patterns disappear within minutes.

Crafting coffee with latte art requires an espresso machine with pressure and a steam wand. In the early 20th century, Italian manufacturer Luigi Bezzera invented the first semi-automatic steam-pressured coffee machine in Milan around 1901 to extract coffee more efficiently. Later, the Italian company La Pavoni acquired Bezzera's patent and added a steam wand, releasing it to the market in 1906.

Although the practice of steaming milk for coffee existed in Italy in the late 19th century, latte art emerged several decades later, primarily credited to an American. In the 1980s, David Schomer, operating a coffee stand in Seattle, coincidentally formed a "heart shape" with the remaining milk foam while preparing an espresso with milk.

Later, after delving into the style and techniques of Italian espresso coffee, David founded Espresso Vivace, further refining the uring patterns" and technique, enhancing and training more baristas in treating high-quality latte art. By the late 1980s, this decorated style of coffee gained popularity in the United States and quickly spread worldwide.

The beautiful patterns in latte art represent countless hours of practice, immense care, and dedication to deliver the finest coffee experience to customers, both in taste and visually. The visually appealing aspect enhances the perceived value of the cup of coffee in the eyes of the customer.

However, a beautiful latte art alone is not enough; it must be complemented by maximum efforts in green bean processing, coffee roasting, and brewing processes to qualify as a perfect specialty coffee.