How to Create 3D Latte Art? How to Use a Latte Art Etching Needle? When Was Espresso Coffee Art Invented?

In the article "Why Is Latte Coffee So Popular?", FrontStreet Coffee introduced how the sales of milk-based coffees soared after the discovery and spread of coffee latte art. The so-called coffee latte art is the practice of using milk foam to create various patterns on the surface of coffee liquid. But did you know that coffee latte art actually comes in many different "types"?

Each type of latte art has distinctive characteristics, so today FrontStreet Coffee will introduce what "types" of coffee latte art exist! But before that, as usual, let's first introduce the origin story of latte art!

The Birth of Coffee Latte Art

In 1980, David Schomer, a barista from Seattle, USA, accidentally created a heart pattern on the surface while making milk coffee. Due to the striking contrast between the white milk foam and the brown coffee liquid, this heart pattern appeared particularly distinctive and was deeply loved by customers. Consequently, David Schomer's milk coffee gained a unique visual appeal from that moment on, leading to a significant increase in sales.

This move attracted more and more baristas to imitate and learn, and soon, coffee latte art became popular in cafés around the world. As more people joined this practice, coffee latte art was no longer limited to just heart patterns. Various elaborate patterns such as leaves, tulips, and roses were invented. Moreover, not only did the patterns diversify, but the methods of creating latte art also became more varied. People began to use other tools to create latte art, which opened up more possibilities for patterns. So next, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce what types of latte art exist today!

Types of Coffee Latte Art

1. Traditional Latte Art

When FrontStreet Coffee refers to "traditional latte art," we mean latte art patterns created primarily using a latte art pitcher as the main drawing tool. Of course, other tools like an etching needle can be used to assist in completing the pattern, but the pitcher is still primarily used to complete most of the pattern drawing.

We can divide traditional latte art into two categories based on the difficulty of pattern creation: basic and combination (advanced)! Basic patterns refer to simple designs that beginners can learn in a short time! For example, patterns like hearts, layered hearts, and leaves that don't require too many complex techniques.

Combination patterns, on the other hand, are complex designs that require various techniques and constraints to complete. These patterns typically have higher requirements for milk foam quality and human operation, so they can be considered advanced latte art techniques. However, since latte art doesn't affect the taste of coffee, baristas don't deliberately learn to create combination patterns unless there are special requirements.

2. Coffee Etching

Although the etching needle is often mocked as a cheat tool, it is actually recognized and permitted as a latte art prop in international competitions. We can think of the etching needle as a paintbrush with varying thickness tips, which can be used to draw more delicate or bold lines and create special patterns that cannot be made with a latte art pitcher.

The level of pattern detail mainly depends on the user's drawing ability. The higher the skill level, the more and more refined patterns they can create. For a drawing expert like FrontStreet Coffee, creating a small bear pattern is no challenge at all! (Actually, it's the most basic technique)

3. 3D Latte Art

3D latte art is quite different from the two types of latte art mentioned above! Regular latte art patterns create a flat image, while 3D latte art, as its name suggests, creates a three-dimensional form.

From the images, we can see that 3D latte art differs from traditional latte art creation. To put it more vividly, this type of latte art is "carved" rather than poured. First, milk foam and coffee are blended together, then pre-whipped thick milk foam is layered on the surface. Finally, spoons and etching needles are used to continuously shape this milk foam, eventually creating the three-dimensional forms we see. To make the latte art more vivid, besides coffee liquid and milk foam, colored syrups like chocolate sauce and caramel sauce are also used for outlining. Of course, this type of latte art also greatly tests the creator's drawing skills, so FrontStreet Coffee has not released any tutorials on it so far. Because it's too difficult and challenging, FrontStreet Coffee is thinking of everyone's best interests—definitely not because FrontStreet Coffee can't do it!

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