Here’s a coffee style that ups the 'cute enough to eat' factor tenfold: foam art.
Now, when it comes to making coffee slightly more interesting than your average flat white, there seems to be no end to the stream of experimental baristas out there. Some make caffeine-less lattes with turmeric, a spice with medicinal qualities; others invent spreadable coffee to serve on toast. And then there's that Avolatte, which perhaps took things a little too far.
3D latte art sits happily in the middle - it's whacky enough to garner attention on social media, but not too extreme as to ruin the coffee itself.
Singaporean student Daphne Tan - find her on Instagram at periperipeng - says that although her artworks can take 10-20 minutes, because she uses a double-walled mug, the coffee is usually still drinkable.
The phenomenon of clever baristas sculpting cute animal characters out of cappuccino foam isn't exactly new. Japanese artist Kazuki Yamamoto was an early purveyor of the craft, treating customers at her Osaka cafe to cats, giraffes, and even octopus atop their coffee cups.
Japan is the home of many 3D latte artists gaining traction on social media. Kohei Matsuno is an award winning latte artist who meticulously crafts art on a coffee canvas in his cafe, Reissue - everything from rabbits and cats to cars and even sushi. He starts with a latte, a jug full of foam, spoons, a long needle implement for the details, and (of course) chocolate for sprinkling. Seconds later, his creations are brought to life. He repeats the process up to 60 times a day.
The baristas at Taiwanese café My Cofi have adopted a horror theme for their 3D art, recreating well known anime characters, the Chucky doll, and the terrifying antagonist from the widely feared horror movie, The Ring – all in exceptional detail. For those with a strong stomach, check out their cockroach-themed work.
The trend has recently hit Australian shores, too. Without any sort of formal training, barista Kate Jocson of Sea Change Café in Dee Why on the Northern Beaches has mastered the art of foam elephants, foam teddy bears and foam cats leaping out of cappuccinos.
Lead image of octopus art by Daphne Tan via Instagram
creative coffee
Meet you over lattes in hell?
