# Latte Art

/ˈlɑːteɪ ɑːrt/ (US) · /ˈlɑːteɪ ɑːt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/latte-art
Updated: 2026-09-20

## Definition

a creative way of pouring steamed milk into espresso to make patterns or pictures on top of a coffee drink for decoration

For teachers: the technique of pouring microfoam into a shot of espresso to create aesthetic patterns or designs on the surface of a milk-based beverage.

## Examples

- The barista made a beautiful heart with latte art on my coffee.
- Many independent cafes host weekly competitions where baristas show off their most intricate latte art designs.
- While latte art enhances the visual appeal of a flat white, the texture of the microfoam is ultimately more crucial for the beverage's mouthfeel.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.