Cappucino Art - Getting Creative with Caffeine (VIDEO)

With Starbucks taking the world of caffeinated beverages by storm, other coffee shops are coming up with innovative ways to keep up to the competition.

Back in Europe where espresso drinks gained their fame, baristas have been perfecting the art of painting with coffee. Lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos are being served up with intricate designs and images. They can be found in upscale hangouts in Italy, France, Germany and other European nations.

The fancy craft involves pouring milk or cream into fresh espresso, using perfect precision. Trained coffee artists are able to create fancy images and designs through these techniques, adding in details with special tools and fine brushes.

Creative cuisine is becoming more common, and people are beginning to appreciate lavish presentations when dining out. From the Japanese art of fancy food presentations, to carved fruit and vegetable sculptures, foodies the world over are taking the dining experiencing to an additional sensory level.

Coffee art competitions are receiving media attention, and countless videos can be downloaded online featuring talented artists who can illustrate everything from flowers, spiderwebs, butterflies and rabbits, with nothing more than a bit of espresso, cream and chocolate.

Offered in high-end cafes and restaurants, these luxurious beverages not only provide a jolt of java, but also a pleasure to the eye. Their beauty is much appreciated in Europe, where coffee is usually sipped on site. The aesthetic value would likely go underappreciated in North America, however, where most people like their cappucinos to go.

Imagine sitting at a cute cafe in Rome, enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon, and suddenly your sexy Italian server delivers your cappucino with a huge milk heart painted in it. Now that’s amore! Any barista who takes the time to add that little extra definatley deserves a big tip… and a phone number!