The Rise of Latte Art

The rise of coffee as a ‘craft’ and the emergence of latte art, mainly in independent cafés, have given the role of barista a new kind of prestige.

Luigi Lupi & David Schomer, The Godfathers of Latte Art: 1980s & 1990s

The history of latte art began with Luigi Lupi from Mexico and David Schomer from Seattle in the 1980s. They sent each other latte art videos while improving their technique day by day.

They used techniques like free pouring to create intricate designs on the surface of a latte using the combined texture of milk foam and cream.

“It was like pulling a curtain back on a whole new way of experiencing coffee.” David Schomer.

Latte Art Today: 2005 to 2025

Today, we have national competitions and world championships where coffee works would never have been considered 20 years ago. New techniques have been introduced, such as the "Etching method," where drawings are made on the surface of the coffee with the help of special barista tools, mainly the barista pencil.

Rising specialty coffee consumption

According to the British Coffee Association, the UK now consumes around 95 million cups of coffee per day (2024 figures)
A growing portion of this is people drinking in independent cafes - the natural home of latte art.

Social media sharing

Instagram and TikTok house a lot of UK-based latte art content. The hashtags #latteartuk, #londoncoffee and #coffeetime routinely showcase UK cafés’ pours.
Latte art is now expected, especially by younger customers, many in their 20s. It's part of the "experience economy."

Latte art as a sign of quality

Research from market analysts (like Allegra’s Project Café UK reports) show that UK coffee drinkers increasingly link visual quality to product quality.

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Izzie Long, Dance & Drama Teacher, aged 24, Swindon

Latte art as a Professional Skill

Barista Training Curriculum

UK barista certifications (e.g. Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) now routinely include latte art in intermediate or advanced training.

Job Market Impact

Many café job advertisements in the UK now explicitly request baristas with latte art experience.
It's often a mark of professionalism and pride in the UK’s increasingly skilled barista workforce.

Charlie Blow, Barista, aged 21

Rise in Latte Art Interest in the UK 2015-2024

World Latte Art Championships Growth 2005-2024 (Source: https://wcc.coffee/wlac-past-rankings)

In 2024 and 2025, latte art has featured in UK news relatively prominently, reflecting its growing significance in the coffee culture. Notable events include:

UK Latte Art Championship at Glasgow Coffee Festival (May 2024)

For the first time, the UK Latte Art Championship held a heat in Glasgow during the Glasgow Coffee Festival on May 11, 2024. It was the largest UK Latte Art Championship, with top competitors advancing to the semi-finals and finals in London. The winner was able to represent the UK at the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) in Copenhagen later last year. The 2025 venue is in Geneva, Switzerland.

London Coffee Festival's Latte Art Live (April 2024)

The London Coffee Festival showcases 'Latte Art Live,' featuring skilled baristas demonstrating their latte art techniques. The event includes interactive sessions where attendees can learn and practice latte art, highlighting its importance in the coffee industry. The 2025 dates are set for 15-18 May.

Global Expansion of Latte Art

The 2025 (WLAC) https://wcc.coffee/world-latte-art-championship is in its 20th year and expects 80 competitors from around the globe to participate. The competition will include baristas' artistic expression and skill in creating latte art, with judges evaluating visual attributes, creativity, pattern consistency, and overall performance.

extracts from 'small gains' by Zoe Rucker...

...until I’m in the comforting clutches of my favourite coffee shop. Hugging a warm mug of coffee with a silky rosetta on top of my cafe latte, surprisingly still in comparison to the busy comings and goings around me.

I take a moment to look through the window out onto a small, village green, shrouded in drifting drizzle. I watch the mid-afternoon cold on the outside of the window accumulate and, yet again, feel a warm release of relief that I am inside, safe and comfortable. I mentally apologise to the artiste-barista who made the rosetta and let the frothy milk coat my lips.