Nowadays, a cup of espresso doesn't only taste good, it can look good too.
With the increasing popularity of latte art, more and more people are becoming attracted to the different sort of designs and patterns that can be formed on a cup of espresso.
What is latte art, though?
Definition: Latte art is a method of preparing coffee created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso and resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the resulting latte
But latte art is nowhere as easy to do as it looks. It requires skill, handwork, perseverance and a lot of patience. You can't get it right on the first try, you just have to try, try, and try again.
25-year-old Shuan Chua, however, has been crowned the "latte art master" of the cafe he's currently working at- Just Want Coffee, a cafe located at Everton Park. This soft-spoken and shy barista has always dreamt of becoming a barista ever since he found a passion in coffee making. He finds the art of coffee making "interesting and deep", something that many of us cannot understand as we are too often lazy to even make our own coffees, thus turning to instant coffee powders.
"You have to know the constituents of milk and coffee in order to make a good latte art" Explains Shaun, who goes on to tell me about the different reactions when milk is steamed and foamed.
It's pretty complicated stuff, and my admiration for him definitely rose after that. I can't even remember my chemistry notes during my O levels, how am I supposed to remember so much information just to make coffee?!?!
Of course, after the interview, I was fascinated and wanted to see him make coffee, and do a latte art for me. I chose a bear design (because it's cute heh), and I watched (while taking pictures too) as he prepared my cup of espresso for me, and then went on to painstakingly draw a bear on top of my cup of espresso.
Of course, Shaun knows that there's still a lot for him to learn, and many more designs to master.
Another thing really admirable about him is that he learnt the art of making latte art all by himself!!! Simply through watching YouTube videos, reading up online, and only asking his supervisors for help when he really needs it. Definitely needs a lot of passion and love for coffee making to be as dedicated as Shuan!
One thing bad about latte art though-
It makes your coffee look too good to drink!
Just Want Coffee
Blk 1 Everton Park #01-27, Singapore, Singapore 081001
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.30 a.m - 6.30 p.m
Fri - Sat 9 a.m. - 8.30 p.m
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