Latte art

Latte art is particularly difficult to create consistently, due to the demanding conditions required of both the espresso shot and milk.

Simultaneously, in Italy, Luigi Lupi of Caffè Musetti had a significant impact on the popularization of latte art through instructional videos.

Neither of these colloids are stable—crema dissipates from espresso, while microfoam separates into drier foam and liquid milk—both degrading significantly in a matter of seconds, and thus latte art lasts only briefly.

As the white foam from the milk rises to meet the red/brown surface of the shot, a contrast is created and the design emerges.

If the milk and espresso shot are "just right", and the pitcher is moved during the pour, the foam will rise to create a pattern on the surface.