Latte art refers to drawing patterns in lattes using milk foam2. When a barista3 pours an espresso4 just right, thin layers5 of brown foam will float on top of the espresso, which produces dark brown layers of foam. The pure white milk foam, made by bubbling milk, will float to the top of this brown foam, allowing a talented barista to draw a pattern with the two colors of foam. Some baristas free pour, which means they pour the milk foam directly to form the shapes they want. Other baristas use tools to shape the foam into patterns and designs.
　　Regardless of the method used, latte art can be as complex as the barista's skills allow. Simple patterns are things like flowers, leaves, and hearts. Some people are able to draw little pictures in the foam, designs in the shape of faces or animals, for example. Great latte artists can form the foam into little sculptures6, like cartoon characters or anything else they can come up with. There are even latte art competitions7. Latte art has added a new level to the coffee-drinking experience, turning simple drinks into works of art.