This is cool

[pegkerr]

The coffee addict in me is drooling . . .

Latte Art.

Tutorial here.

Edited to add: jeanineers helpfully provides a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KcjxU_lpSk

Comments

[ann-totusek.livejournal.com]

Would that work with, say, heavy cream in hot cocoa made with skin milk? I really don't like coffee, but that's so pretty I'd be tempted to drink it anyway. I'm guessing that what makes it work is the difference in the fat content of the cream compared to the coffee?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

No idea. I guess you could just try it.

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

No, it's the foam + crema that allow you do it. You make microfoam when you steam the milk and then do a free pour - the foam and crema (that dark, rich golden foam on top of a shot of espresso) mix and create the design. I use syrup to spiff up cocoa into arty designs.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

Ooooh a coffee shop I went to in Virginia does that!!

[jeanineers.livejournal.com]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KcjxU_lpSk

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Of course someone from Seattle, land of coffee, would have a video. Thanks!

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

damnit, now I want a latte too.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

I took one look at the first (largest) photo and for a second or so thought I was looking at a plate from Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party".

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

Don't the baristas at your local coffeehouses do this? At the cafe where I barista, at least on the morning shift during the week, every single latte we serve is done with art. We spiff up the espresso machiati and cappuccinos, too. Right now we're training the younger kids on the afternoon and night shifts to do it too.

Isn't it gorgeous?? :-) The trick is the foam and getting it right. Once you do that, it's easy. The pour, well that takes practice, but the foaming is the trick.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

No. Must be because we're practical Minnesotans, coming from a background of drinking terrible church basement coffee. Just getting a latte is exotic enough. ;-)

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

I think you should march a picture down to your local coffeehouse and demand arty coffee. :-)

It tastes better!

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

I thought you were referring to this coffee art!

[fgherman.livejournal.com]

That's some gorgeous work. I wonder if I'd be able to do it.

[glissando.livejournal.com]

http://www.ragandbone.com/blogger/2007/05/latte-art.html

Really beautiful designs. :D