Imagine your surprise when you peer down into your frothy beverage to see a intriguing latte art smiling back at you.
To make these crafty beverage designs, one must either have a special coffee printer, a stencil or the expert hand of a trained and highly skilled barista. It's an artistry that requires pouring skimmed milk into an espresso shot using the utmost precision. One could also try their hand at drawing designs in the caffeinated foam.
Some of the best latte art depict iconic pop culture personnel such as PSY, known for his galloping Gangnam Style dance. Others like to incorporate cute anime characters like Pikachu and Kiki. Once you're done admiring the espresso canvas, gleefully gulp it down.
15 Examples of Latte Art
From Espresso Photography Championships to Cappuccino Stencils:
Nikki Taylor — Dec 30, 2012 — Lifestyle
14
Nerdy Java Photography
Chrissy May Takes Pictures of Geeky and Creative Brews
13
Three-Dimensional Java Art
The Latte Designs by Kazuki Yamamoto are Stunningly Brewed Designs
12
Computer Printer Coffee Brewers
Huang Guanglei Designs a Machine That Prints Designs in Java
11
City-Scouring Java Photography
The Adbeus Team Documents Their Coffee via Mobile Camera
10
Jolly Java Photography
A Week of Coffee Documents the Quest for the Perfect Cup of Joe
9
Coffee Printer
Custom Edible Ink Images
8
Coffee Printers (UPDATE)
The OnLatte Foam Printer
7
Caffeinated Anime Artistry
Anime Latte Art Pays Homage to Popular Characters Like Luffy and Kiki
6
Viral Cappuccino Art
Pay Homage to Psy with Some Steamy Gangnam-Style Latte Art
5
Guinness Printers
OnLatte Printers Find New Foam to Decorate
4
Cappuccino Stencils
Vinarpel Creates Stencils for all of Your Dietary Needs
3
Caffeinated Furious Fowls
Angry Birds Coffee Art Jumps from iPhones to the Java House
2
Latte Art Championships
World's Best Barista
1
Spiritual Coffee Froth
Taiwan Hotel Whips Up Dalai Lattes While the Leader is in Town
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Nerdy Java Photography
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Mutated Vegetable Photography
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Eco-Friendly Brewers
Alexander Yakushin's Electric Coffee Maker is Energy and Space Efficient
Raging Avian Slippers
Angry Birds Flip Flops Flys to Footwear Styles With Furious Anger
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Hybrid Appliance Coffee Cups
The Steam Mug Humidifier Savors Every Last Drop
Coffee Couture
2010 Lavazza Calendar Mixes Beauty & Caffeine
Computer Printer Coffee Brewers
Huang Guanglei Designs a Machine That Prints Designs in Java
Comfy Avian Headgear
These Angry Birds Crochet Hats Keep Your Head Warm for the Winter
Argyle Brew Branding
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DIY Fiery Avian Models
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Wrist-Worn Microwaves
Electrolux EMS Cooker Uses Your Body's Heat to Warm Your Drink
Crouching Coffee Tables
The Platform Table Explores the Foundations of Furniture Design
Jolly Java Photography
A Week of Coffee Documents the Quest for the Perfect Cup of Joe
Ninjafied Comic Characters
AJ Salazar Morphs Superheroes into Stealth Assassins
Petite Gingerbread Perchers
The Not Martha DIY Cookie Houses are an Adorable Addition to Any Drink
Artistic Television Photography
'Luminant Point Arrays' Captures Turned-Off TVs
Fast Food Animal Shoots
Aaron Nace Uses His Photo Manipulation Skills to Enjoy a Meal With Animals
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Ingenious Coffee Coolers
These Coffee Joulies Can Cool Down and Warm Up Your Coffee with Ease
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From Breeders Cup Horses to Guinness
Playful Java Cup Art
Tomoko Shintani Incorporates Starbucks Mugs in Her Whimsical Drawings
Viral Song Wedding Parodies
The Gangnam Style Wedding Video is Hilarious and Fun
Bitter Bird Board Games
The Angry Birds Board Game Brings Angry Avians to Life
Pixelated Viral Song Shorts
Psy Rocks the 2D World in This 8-Bit Gangnam Style Video
Hi-Tech Meal Heaters
The Electrolux Cortina Kettle Warms Food the Futuristic Way
Coffee Calligraphy
The Writing Spoon
Temperature-Monitoring Coffee Cups
The Tank Up Coffee Mug Signals When To Fuel Up
Viral Cappuccino Art
Pay Homage to Psy with Some Steamy Gangnam-Style Latte Art
Mascot Music Videos
The Oregon Duck Breaks it Down Gangnam Style
Bird's Eye View Photography
Alex MacLean Takes Visually Stunning Aerial Photographs
Awesome Aerial Photography
Cameron Davidson Offers a Stunning New Perpsective of the Earth From
Coffee Pot Birdhouses
The Birdpot is the First-Ever Potted Birdhouse
Sci-Fi Java Sleeves
The Yoda Coffee Cup Cozy is Cute and Nerdy
Tasty Avian Treats
Sugar Cookies Angry Birds are a Scrumptious Delight
Realistic Avian Confections
The Furious Fowl Cake Depicts Angry Birds in Immaculate Detail
Simplistic Java Packaging
Jed's Coffee Co. has Easily Decipherable Informing Packets
Sci-Fi Morning Brews
Star Wars Darth Vader Dark Side Coffee is for Those Who like a Dark Roast
Heat-Activated Scenic Cups
The Tokyo Sky Tree Mug is a Warm Reminder of the Beautiful Country
Coffee Pods
The Presovar by Martin Necas
Typographic Coffee Tables
Made in Hollywood Creates a Line of Furniture That Features Fonts
Coffee Inhalers
Breathe In A Cup of Espresso And Fight the Zzzs
Bitter Bagelicious Birds
Angry Bird Bagels are Scrumptious and Squawky
Pop Music Prisoners (UPDATED)
The Inmates Dancing Gangnam Style Sure Can Bust a Move
Viral Family Dance Duos
The Gangnam Style Mom Video is Hilarious and Well-Executed
Record-Breaking Dance Videos
The Behind-the-Scenes Gangnam Style Short is Hilarious
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Guinness Printers
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Angry Bird Cake Toppers
These Edible Baking Accessories are a Tribute to the Iconic App Game
Comical Sitcom Coffee Cups
The 'Parks and Recreation' Mug Urges You to 'Treat Yo' Self'
Brew Branding Origins
'Coffee Time' by Wan-tzu Looks at the Soul of the Java
Luxurious Java Roasts
Ospina Dynasty Coffee Offers a Fresh Taste for the Palette at a Price
STD-Free Parodies
Open Condom Style Spoof Promotes Safe Sex While Being Hilarious
Scoopable Java Clips
Kapu Coffee by Teemu Karhunen was Designed to Seal and Scoop
Spoonless Coffee
Sticks of Coffee, Cream and Sugar by Hye-Yeon Choi
Chilled Cereal-Flavored Java
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cold Coffee is a Breakfast Brew You'll Adore
Caffeinated Furious Fowls
Angry Birds Coffee Art Jumps from iPhones to the Java House
Java-Jolting Shotguns
The Il Tiro Espresso Gun Brews the Perfect Espresso Shot
Translucent H20 Caffeine Machines
The Hario Cold Water Coffee Dripper for Fresh Morning Brews
Inaugural Coffee Promotions
Krispy Kreme Honors the United States of Americano
Informative Intergalactic Wikis
The Wookieepedia is Perfect Site for the Star Wars Fan
Super Magnetic Beer
The Guinness Law of Attraction
Manga-Inspired Ice Cubes
One Piece Ice Trays Keep Your Drinks Chilled and Awesome at the Same Time
Camping Espresso Brews
Coleman Portable Propane Coffeemaker for the Caffeine Addict
Latte Art Championships
World's Best Barista
Java Pastry Mashup Beverages
The Coffee and Donuts Milkshake is an Exploration of Cafe Culture
Shiny Avian Java Jugs
The Nick Munro Bistro Set Gives Flight to the Art of Making Coffee