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Art itself is already beautiful and diverse, but there is one form that isn't what you would typically think of when considering art. Latte art is a piece you can drink. An icon for all settings, latte art gives coffee the artistic touch that brings joy to a cup. It is served as a signature and expression of the barista’s skill with richly textured milk. It brings life to your drink as you enjoy your time playing chess, chatting with friends, or studying late into the night.
Photo taken from Lily Lee (xlilylee) on Pinterest; original credits unknown
Café society, which highlights the delicate and peaceful nature that fills up leisure time, evolved from the Enlightenment. Appropriate to its time of modern ideas of progression coined by thinkers and writers, the culture of coffee soon advanced to the creation of latte art. David Schomer popularized latte art in the late 80s and early 90s and was known for his innovations, grinders, and espresso machines, all of which improved the quality of coffee. He developed techniques by mixing milk enough for it to become foam. The art of latte has particularly boomed with popularity in East and Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
The creation of such a masterpiece encloses the milk’s interaction with the coffee. Not only does it appear luxurious, but milk is steamed for the coffee to taste sweeter with a thicker consistency. It is then poured in a swirled motion to allow bubbles to dissipate and the pour to run smoother. Milk has protein and fat which are hydrophobic, lacking affinity for water, helping the foam has more presence. Different types of milk lead to various outcomes based on factors, such as hydrophilic abilities and oil amounts. The face of the drink is created through stacked milk layers in a method called laminar flow. Colors of the milk are displayed on top of the coffee because of the foam’s elasticity.
The art is concocted with the barista’s hands, from detailing each specific angle to their efficiency in pouring milk. Latte art grabs the eyes of many, only to be pleased when the taste of the coffee is just as charmingly delightful.
Written by Kimberly Hoang
Edited by Jacob Escobar
Cover page by Yifei Wang
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