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Coffee Art Tutorial: What's the Difference Between Leaf and Swan Patterns? What Are the Milk Requirements for Latte Art Combinations?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, The "swan" is one of the most common latte art patterns featured in FrontStreet Coffee's hot milk coffee offerings. Why, you ask? Because it's not only visually appealing but also remarkably simple to create! However, it's important to note that there are numerous different techniques for making swan patterns. When FrontStreet Coffee mentions "simple," we're referring to the traditional swan design! It evolved from the leaf pattern and

"The Swan" is one of the most common latte art patterns created for hot milk coffee at FrontStreet Coffee. You might wonder why - it's not only beautiful but also remarkably simple to make! However, it's important to note that there are many different methods for creating a swan, and when FrontStreet Coffee mentions "simple," we're referring to the traditional swan pattern! It evolved from the leaf pattern.

Essentially, the swan pattern modifies the finishing portion of the leaf pattern. They share identical requirements for fusion, pour placement, and even backward rocking motions! The difference lies in when the leaf pattern concludes after the rocking motion, while the swan has only completed its body portion. Next, you still need to shape the wings, neck, and head! However, for those who have already mastered the leaf pattern, this remains quite simple~ So let's examine how this swan pattern should be created~ (For those who haven't yet learned the leaf pattern, you can follow this link to study it first: "Leaf Latte Art")

From the animated image below, we can see that the wing shaping, neck, and head of the swan latte art are all completed in one continuous motion! However, each part has different creation requirements, so FrontStreet Coffee will break them down and explain them sequentially!

Swan latte art animation showing creation process

1. Wings

When we're rocking backward and about to reach the cup's edge, this marks the dividing point between leaf and swan latte art! The swan cannot remain stationary to create a heart shape like the leaf pattern does! It requires quickly raising the pitcher spout to turn, then moving diagonally toward the center point's lower area!

The reason for raising the liquid level is to increase impact force, which both "presses" out the wings and prevents white lines from appearing on the pattern, making the overall composition more aesthetically pleasing.

2. Neck

Once we reach our target position, we need to immediately lower the milk pitcher's height because now we need to "draw" the swan's neck.

Actually, "drawing" isn't quite accurate - it's more precisely "dragging"! By lowering the pitcher to bring the spout closer to the liquid surface, then tilting slightly so that a small amount of milk foam rests at the spout opening, we can use this foam to draw our desired lines on the coffee surface! Generally, creating curved lines works best for swans! This motion can be quite challenging for beginners, requiring multiple practice attempts. Here are two important details worth noting: First, the milk foam cannot sit for too long! Many people can perfectly create the swan's body portion, but when preparing to outline the neck, they find the poured foam has atomized or clumped - this situation is caused by letting it sit for too long.

Another detail worth noting is the amount of milk! When creating combination patterns, we're very particular about the amount of milk used. Only by controlling the milk quantity can we use the foam at the end to outline lines. However, for most basic patterns, if the milk amount is just right, it can actually backfire by leaving insufficient milk for the finishing motion, which then lacks the impact force to push foam into the crema, causing thick white lines to float on the surface! This then transforms into an "ugly duckling." So these are two points everyone should pay attention to~

3. Head

Finally comes the swan's head! It's essentially a small heart shape. After outlining the neck, absolutely do not raise the pitcher - instead, remain stationary and pour more foam to form the heart shape. When enough foam has been deposited, quickly raise the pitcher to finish. And there you have it - the swan is complete! It's very simple!!

Of course, the swan head creation steps also require precision. If you release too little foam, insufficient to form a heart shape, but hastily finish, the swan's head will appear quite small! Looking flat and unattractive. If you remain stationary too long, or pour atomized/clumped foam, the swan's head will become too large! Then it transforms into what you see in the image below: a "Lion-Head Goose"!