Latte Art, a new twist on coffee

Latte means a type of coffee drink made from hot steaming milk and espresso shot. It is extracted from Italian word "Caffelatte" which means coffee and milk. The beautiful pattern formed on the top coffee layer by pouring frothy milk on espresso shot is called Latte Art. The amazing pattern that is created on the surface of resulting latte looks amazingly attractive and shows the artists true artistic skills. It is possible to create different patterns by actually drawing on the top foamy layer. Latte Art is not as simple as it may sound, since the espresso shot and the steaming milk should accomplish some taxing situations. Moreover, the pattern on the Latte also depends on the experience of the barista, the espresso machine and last but not the least, Latte Art typically depends on how well the artist pours it! For this, you need to steam milk till you get the desired amount of foam on it. On pouring the steamed milk over the espresso shot, the two layers of foam and milk are formed as the froth rises on the top. Now the most difficult part is how you dispense it on the espresso shot. The two need to be "perfect", that is, the espresso shot and the frothy milk. The latte cup is to be moved correctly while pouring the foamy milk on the espresso shot to form a unique pattern as the lather rises. An experienced barista will be able to tell you the amount of foam needed to create beautiful latte art. A lot of lather will give your coffee a white surface and lesser lather gives your coffee light-brown even drink with no latte art on it. The froth on the milk should be exact, along with this, the milk should appear shiny with small bubbles equally distributed. The espresso shot has to be proper too. The time limit for extraction of espresso should be 20-30 seconds. Moreover, you need to see the foam on the espresso shot, it should be creamy brown in color. This is nothing but crema. When you transfer the foamy milk on this perfect espresso shot, the milk rises and meets the brown bubbly surface of the espresso shot, this makes a lovely pattern in two contrast hues, white and brown. Rosetta is a flower shaped pattern that is most desired form of Latte Art. The latte cup is kept slanted in one position and because of this slanting position of the latte cup, the frothy milk that is poured, which gathers on one side. Now the barista moves the latte cup side-to-side, simultaneously filling the cup with foamy milk. He or she then completes the pattern with an immediate smack, which forms the stem of the flower. Well, there are several patterns you can create, it depends on your depth of thinking and artistic skills. A skilled hand makes amazing patterns. You too can impress your guests with your own unique latte art. Remember that your espresso shot has to be perfect, your milk froth should be exact and your art of pouring and leaning the latte jug should be arty enough to make beautiful latte art.