How to make latte art: swans and other animals

LATTE ART TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

In the first article of the series on the latte art technique, I described how to whisk the milk properly and how to pour it into the cup. The next article I dedicated to themost popular latte art shapes, i.e. hearts and tulips.

In thethird part of this series, I showed you how to decorate a typical cafe latte i.e. how to rosette. And today, in this article on latte art, I'll tell you how to combine all the techniques you've learned so far and then draw a swan in a cappuccino.

HOW TO MAKE LATTE ART WITH A SWAN

Animal motifs are some of the most popular and at the same time most complex images that decorate milky coffee drinks. In cappuccinos, cafe lattes and even the most skilful baristas draw pictures of zebras, foxes and swans in espresso macchiatos.

Animal motifs can also be drawn in coffee milk in a simplified way, without complex details. The important thing is to understand how to work with milk. Know how to whisk the milk well and have practiced the movements with the jugwhen pouring.

LATTE ART SWAN OR HOW TO MAKE A SWAN IMAGE IN COFFEE

Thebasic swan is made up of a rosette and a heart. It is created in two connected steps. You will be pouring milk into a properly formed coffee level. Once the milk starts to draw into the surface, a white spot will appear and you can start drawing.

With a rocking motion you will create a rosette - the body or wing of a swan. This rosette will be slightly different from the classic one. It won't be as big, it may be slightly tilted and, most importantly, it won't have astream of milk running through the exact centre of the rosette, but along the edge.
In the second step, you bring the teapot close to the surface again so that the milk is close enough to paint the coffee. Move your hand with the lattie towards the right edge to create a white line - the neck of the swan. Finally, create a heart shape - the head of the swan.

LATTE ART PROCEDURE FOR OTHER VERSIONS OF SWANS IN COFFEE

If the rosette shape is not your favourite, you can create aswan using the tulip technique. Instead of a rosette, plant a narrowtulip with at least three petals in the surface of the coffee. You continue by creating the neck by drawing freely in the surface and again end the image with the swan's head, i.e. the heart shape.

Look at latte art images on the internet and try combining shapes and techniques to decorate your motif on the coffee surface. Your swan can be more of a profile with two wings, have a crown, have waves under the body or maybe try drawing two swans.

You can tweak the latte art image on the surface to create a coffee with two swans and a heart, for example. Image source: Canva for

HOW TO LEARN LATTE ART? DRAW, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...

If you've mastered the basic techniques of latte art, drawing the rosette and tulip, keep working on your skills and try, practice, create cappuccinos one after another. Get your hands on the right barista grip and understand how milk behaves in coffee.

Then get into your original shapes, personal ideas and create unique coffees. Take inspiration from seasoned professionals, for example at competitions like the latte art category in the National Barista of the Year Championship .

WHERE TO GET INSPIRATION FOR LATTE ART?

The biggest muse for you and the professionals is nature. Be it fauna or flora. You can try todraw, for example, a rose, even with thorns to the smallest detail. Or, for starters, you can start with fun, simpler takes on animal themes. Such a teddy bear is not at all complicated and is also a very popular latte art image.

ETCHING: ILLUSTRATE THE DETAILS OF COFFEE PICTURES

Animal motifs cast with basic latte art techniques tend to be finished off with a method called etching. This is done with abarista pen or skewer. In addition to the aforementioned bear motif, you can create a dog, panda or piglet from essentially the same basic shape. Use a skewer to create a fish from a two-petal tulip.

A cute snail in coffeewill also delight . You can create this by layering the petals as you would a tulip. The petals slide more into each other. This creates a shell. Draw a line under the shell, i.e. the leg (body) of the snail, and finish with the head. Use a skewer to draw the antennae and maybe even a cute smile.

Find inspiration for latte art from professional baristas, on the internet or in nature. Use the etching technique to add detail. Image source: Canva for

LATTE ART NOT ONLY FOR COFFEE

Simple animal motifs are especially loved by children. So don't hesitate to take the opportunity to practice your latte art on drinks for them as well. Of course, we're not saying to force your little ones to drink coffee. Instead of espresso from a selection of coffee in the base of the milk drink, you can prepare a babyccino or cocoa with a picture for your children.

You stir three teaspoons of soluble cocoa in a little hot water. This base will work just like espresso. You will use the same technique you used to create latte art in coffee to draw in the cocoa. The result will be more contrasting because of the darker colour of the cocoa.

WHAT DO I WHISK THE MILK IN FOR THE LATTE?

A simple heart, you can create even with a thicker milk foam thus created for example by electric or mechanical beaters. Or even with milk whipped in a French press. Such froth requires a good guess and subsequent processing in a teapot by polishing and casting.

The uncertain result and the high consumption of milk whipped in this way justifies the purchase of a coffee machine. So if you like coffee with milk and indulge in it often, get a coffee machine with a steam nozzle. It will pay off. Cheaper types of home coffee makers may not have as good a nozzle performance, and by the time you figure out how to operate your model of coffee maker, you'll have used quite a bit of milk. Also look at the nozzle workmanship itself .