Have you already heard of latte art? It is a technique used by barmen to make drinks more appetising. Especially latte macchiato and cappuccino.
In this article we explain how to use latte art to create Christmas decorations.
There is nothing but Christmas lights, gift wrapping, and the festive atmosphere is spreading everywhere, even in bars. In addition to classic decorations, the technique of latte art has also become popular at Christmas in recent years.
Feel like surprising your guests with beautiful decorations? Would you like to use this technique to make your loved ones more cheerful?
In this article we will deepen our knowledge of latte art and see how to make themed ornaments. Although it is an art mainly found in cafés, it is also possible to create beautiful coffee or cappuccino decorations at home. Let’s take a brief look at latte art and see how to embellish drinks prepared with Pontevecchio lever machines.
What is latte art?
A flower, a smile or a heart on a cappuccino has become a decoration that makes coffee time even more enjoyable. But if until recently these were the most popular and fashionable decorations, today the ability to decorate beverages has reached very high levels, becoming a true art form: Latte Art.
Milk art is a form of expression that has developed in bars and cafés. It involves making figures on espresso coffee or cappuccino using milk foam. The design comes out of the contrast between the white of the foam and the dark colour of the drink.
Initially, the decoration only came out by carefully pouring the milk froth and the first images to spread were the rosettes and the heart. Later, the use of chocolate sauce to create more intricate and precise patterns became widespread.
The creativity of bartenders has now begun to express itself in new and increasingly complex shapes, such as swans, puppies, leaves and even unicorns. Today, in addition to classic motifs, seasonal decorations can also be found: Christmas trees, snowflakes, snowmen or images of Father Christmas.
With a little manual dexterity, you can also try your hand at these techniques at home, creating Christmas latte art for guests. Of course, it is up to you to choose the ingredient with which to create the decorations. For those of us who know a thing or two about coffee, the choice is of course a foregone conclusion, but if you have any doubts, we highly recommend this beverage.
Making it, after all, is very easy. All you need is a good coffee machine that will ensure a result worthy of your intended use, as well as great to enjoy with milk. You for one will agree that if you want to drink good coffee, you should do it with the right machine!
This is why we at Pontevecchio have specialised in lever machines: the only ones able to guarantee you a coffee with an intense taste and versatile use, perfect even for creating decorations in milk.
Therefore, consult our catalogue and discover the right coffee machine for you: the one with which to try your hand at latte art and create your first masterpieces. Especially since it is a fairly recent discipline, born in the early years of the last century.
The Origins of Milk Art
The earliest evidence of latte art dates back to the 1930s, when some baristas in the United States of America began to make the very first decorations in milk. But it was only in the 1980s that this custom was transformed into a true art form, thanks to the intervention of American bartender and entrepreneur David Schomer.
It was he, in fact, who developed an early technique for precisely producing these designs. His aim, in fact, was to teach how to decorate cappuccinos, which is why he wrote an article entitled ‘Cappuccino Art’, published in the magazine ‘Caffeine’.
Since then, latte art has developed into a true creative discipline that has captivated baristas around the world and beyond. The truth is that with a little effort and dedication anyone can try their hand at this imaginative art, including you. Before doing so, however, you must necessarily obtain all the necessary tools.
What do you need to make latte art?
To decorate your latte or cappuccino, you will need the following ingredients:
- milk of your choice, preferably normal whole milk or soy milk, which are best suited to performing latte art. Alternatively, you can also opt for vegetable milk such as oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk and others, provided you select them from the special ‘barista’ line, otherwise you will not be able to whip due to their low protein content;
- an espresso coffee or an alternative beverage, which should be concentrated and ready to serve;
- metal jug with pointed spout;
- steam or manual milk frother to create the foam;
- coffee cup for pouring the final masterpiece.
Once you have everything you need, you can finally start your first experiments in milk art by following one of the methods we are going to show you.
What are the methods of making latte art
Having framed latte art better, now let’s get down to the practical part: how do you make Christmas decorations in latte art mode? With milk foam you can really indulge and give free rein to your creativity.
Depending on your dexterity, you can try your hand at simple creations or at a higher level of difficulty. However, know that with a little practice and by serving more than a few coffees, you will be able to create mini-works of art.
Here are the techniques that can be put into practice:
- Foam milk art: this is the form of milk art intended for those at an advanced level. It requires a lot of skill as the decoration is only achieved by using milk foam. Baristas skilled in latte art from foam perform and compete against each other in the World Latte Art Championship or the UK Latte Art Championship. In these competitions, designed for those who do not use syrups or tools of any kind, latte art artists from all over the world compete against each other;
- Milk engraving: more recent than the use of foam alone, the technique of engraving was not well regarded due to its apparent ease. Today, however, latte art etching has become part of international barista competitions;
- Milk art with stencils: this is a great solution for those who are just starting out in this world. It consists of making decorations with stencils and does not require a great deal of skill. It is considered low-level precisely because it does not require a superlative technique to create decorations. However, it is a great solution for making latte art at Christmas and making the festive season more cheerful.
In addition to these main methods, there are three others from which you can draw inspiration, and which consist of the following techniques:
- pouring, which uses only the movement of the wrist and the milk jug. It obviously needs manual dexterity and exercise to achieve it, but it allows you to achieve surprising results;
- etching, based on the use of fine-tipped pens that allow you to ‘draw’ on the surface of the foam;
- Latte art 3D, which uses a particularly soft, almost whipped foam to create real embossed decorations.
Having clarified this, let us now find out how to use these methods correctly.
Milk art with foam
This technique is based on speed of execution, correct distance and control of the tilt. It is reserved for baristas who can have perfect control over these parameters. It requires time, patience and countless trials. But the results can truly amaze.
The main element is the milk foam, which must have a smooth and frothy consistency. Before starting the trials, therefore, it is necessary to make sure that the drink is in optimal condition:
- The ideal temperature for frothing is between 55°C and 62°C, so the milk must be heated without exceeding 65°C;
- The milk must be constantly aerated with the steam wand. This can be done at a temperature between 30° and 40°.
The required tools are:
- a cold jug to keep the foam compact;
- a thermometer to measure the temperature of the milk;
- In addition, milk must be available, stored in the refrigerator at 4°.
Now to the movements to be executed
When starting to pour the foam, the cup should be tilted and held away from the body.
You start at a distance of about 5 cm from the edge of the cup and the foam should be handled with faster movements as the cup fills up. In this way, it is possible to make hearts and some types of flowers. To create Christmas trees or other Christmas decorations with foam, start with the rosette casting technique.
Latte art with engravings
This technique is not particularly appreciated by latte art baristas. It is considered a kind of cheating, overly simple and has little to do with an artistic creation.
Actually, if you just want to go for the optical effect, etching really cuts the figure. This technique is done by using a sauce to draw the milk foam.
Just take a tip and a syrup or, even, the topping, and you will get fun and imaginative decorations.
You can try your hand at flowers, dedications, snowflakes and any other kind of customised design to wish customers and family members a good morning. Here again, the consistency of the milk is crucial. So it is a good idea to bring the milk to the temperature indicated for the foam version and froth it with the wand of your professional coffee machine. Here is a little tip.
- In a round cup, pour the espresso and add your milk froth.
- With the syrup, create three circles, one inscribed in the other. Use the milk thermometer or a pointed object. Start dragging the colour from the edges towards the centre of the cup.
- By making lines at regular intervals, what will come out is a perfect snowflake, very suitable for Christmas parties.
By entering the word etching on YouTube or using the hashtag #latteart on Instagram you can find lots of other tips. We have already done some research and came up with all kinds of decorations that you can practise with and win over your customers or friends.
Latte art with stencils
This is the simplest form of art with milk. Milk art with stencils is suitable for beginners and baristas who cannot afford to spend time and resources on training. Thanks to stencils, the result is great. To understand how it is done, let’s start with the equipment:
- sharp scissors to make very precise incisions;
- stiff paper or cardboard;
- – cup in which you serve the cappuccino;
- First draw circles on the cardboard with the help of the circumference of the cup.
Having done this, you have to select Christmas motifs to put on the paper. You can choose your favourite elements from Father Christmas, Christmas tree, elves, reindeer, snowflakes, snowmen. Of course, you can draw more than one to have a wider range. After that, you will have to cut out the shapes until you obtain stencils.
Making the final part of the work requires a steady hand and attention. You have to place the stencil on the rim of the cup and topping over the cut-out parts. Excellent resources for making latte art with stencils are also coffee, cocoa, barley, cinnamon or nutmeg, which go perfectly through the stencils.
Some videos made by latte art expert that will help you to create beautiful decorations
Whether you are a pro, an intermediate level or a beginner, in this section you will find some latte art videos from which to draw inspiration.
Christmas tree
This video shows how to create a Christmas tree with the engraving technique.
To do that, just use a coffee or cocoa topping and a syrup engraving tool.
Very easy to make and suitable for beginners too.
Olaf
This work will make children very happy: it’s Olaf, the beloved talking snowman from the cartoon Frozen.
You can make it with a pointed tool, starting from a cappuccino or milk with cocoa.
Christmas tree
Here you have to pay attention to the foam, which must be dense and of the right consistency.
This will be the basis for creating a Christmas tree with the etching technique.
In addition to the engraving, you can add coloured sugar to make the tree balls and create an even more Christmas atmosphere.
Snowman
We use the engraving technique again to create a perfect snowman.
First, make an espresso with the professional coffee machine in a round and big cup.
Then, with the milk froth, make three circles one on top of the other and finish it by using the topping.
Conclusion
Having reached this point, you might feel the desire to start experiencing with what you have learnt by trying your hand at latte art. After all, why shouldn’t you? As we have amply demonstrated, the secret is all in the training and, of course, in getting all the ingredients and tools you need. So, we renew our invitation to you to consult the Pontevecchio catalogue and choose the coffee machine that will accompany you on this fantastic adventure!