The growing trend of latte art in the UAE

Just a few years ago, ordering a latte meant you would be receiving a simple coffee-and-milk blend. Now, as baristas put their presentation skills to the test, it’s not uncommon to look into your cup and see an intricate pattern or an animal face smiling back at you.

Latte art originated in Seattle, when barista David Schomer started manipulating milk to make floating foam shapes at his cafe, Espresso Vivace. As his teachings spread around the globe, many baristas jumped on the trend and began pouring hearts in coffee cups. Simple yet effective, it became an instant Instagram favourite.

Nowadays, the art has become much more complex and the evolution of different methods has given baristas the opportunity to experiment with striking shapes and designs, from cartoon characters to intricate portraits of the Burj Khalifa.

Frederick Bejo, 29, from the Philippines, has recently returned from Gothenberg, Sweden where he represented the UAE at the World Latte Art Championship – the first time someone from the country has taken part in the competition.

He created four designs for the judges: two swans kissing, a falcon, a scorpion with a rose, and a tiny tulip in an espresso cup.

Bejo, who was crowned the champion at last year’s UAE Latte Art Championship, which is hosted each year at the International Coffee and Tea Festival, says that mastering latte art comes from trial and error.

Original article by Rachel Ingram

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The growing trend of latte art in the UAE