The Fundamentals of Latte Art

Latte art is science meeting art. The foam and froth atop your milk drinks come from countless hours of practice, steaming techniques, agility in hand pouring and a lot of patience and creativity. From articles to how-to videos, I've prepared this roll to define latte art and empower you to learn the skill yourself, whether you're a home barista or in one of many specialty coffee shops around the world.

A Guide to Making Latte Art

What Is Latte Art?

Learn what latte art is and how espresso and milk make the designs people love.

Latte Art Defined

Latte art is a coffee created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso with a pattern or design. Dig deeper into the Italian origins of latte art here.
5 Things to Know About Latte Art

If you're a lover of coffee drinks with milk, then it's safe to assume that at some point you've been handed a cup, looked at the formation made by the combination of coffee and milk and thought to yourself, "how did they do that?" Here are a few facts about latte art that just might make you respect that cup even more.
A Guide Defining the Many Shades of Latte Art

Take a look at the difference between free pour and etching latte art.

How Does It Work?

How does someone actually create those frothy designs we've come to love? This section breaks down the different facets of the art form, and how you can equip yourself to make your own.

How Does Latte Art Work?

Latte art is beautiful, but there is science behind what meets the eye. Learn how air and liquid react together to make a complex cup of coffee with artful foam.
The Proof Is In The Steam

Steaming milk is a skill. Heres how to do it well from wand technique to proper water temperatures.
Practice Making Latte Art with Steamed Soapy Water

The first time I learned how to steam milk was with soap and water. Teach yourself to learn the technique with this soapy video.
The Four Fundamental Techniques to Making the Best Latte Art

There's four things you must do to make the best latte art there is and have coffee drinkers loving their coffee as much as their barista.
Latte Art is a Milky Thing

A barista's role in turning a blank espresso canvas is a work of milky art. If you're looking for a short step by step guide to slam dunking the process, read this.
May The Froth Be With You: A Guide to Milk Frothing

Froth milk, have art. A certified coffee geeks shares how to froth milk in proportion to varying milk beverages.
Latte Art Is Minding Texture and Technique

Creating patterns of hearts, flowers and tulips is about milk and espresso in a combination of technique and passion. Learn how to master both.

A Guide To Pouring Latte Art

You don't have to be a barista in a coffee shop to make latte art. Here's how to create the artful designs yourself from the comfort of your own home.

How To Pour a Tulip

New York barista Mike Jones teaches you how to pour a tulip in latte art in this video tutorial from inside a popular specialty cafe called Third Rail Coffee.
How To Pour a Heart

The Today Show crew shows the simple steps to make the heart of a lifetime on your latte.
How To Pour Art Like a Barista

I've always wondered if I could make coffee at home. Queen of DIY, Martha Stewart shows you how to make some of her latte recipes with Chef Steps techniques.
How To Etch a Butterfly

Etching is a latte art technique to draw designs in the milk beyond simple pouring. Watch this video to learn how to etch a butterfly.
How To Pour the Perfect Cappuccino

World champion barista, Michael Phillips, shows us how to pour a perfect cappuccino.
How To Pour a Rosetta

Latte art is like liquid physics. With practice you can turn coffee and milk into the shape of a rosetta. Use this primer to get you started.

About The Author

My name is Chermelle D. Edwards. I started down the rabbit hole of coffee because I loved coffee but loved coffee shops even more. In an effort to show the broad cultural diaspora of the Arts that intersect with coffee, I've been documenting the world of coffee culture. I first started with An Aeropress for at-home coffee brewing, then a Chemex and now my love: The French Press.