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Coffee Worth Buzzing About: Impressive Latte Art

Check out the latest and greatest latte art found in a coffee shop near you.
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Impressive Latte Art
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalcolony/" target="_blank">Michael Allen Smith</a>
Here's a new reason to trade your plain cup of coffee for a steaming latte or cappuccino. The creamy drinks have become a canvas that baristas rely on to practice their artistic skills. Using everything from pouring technique to stencils to etching, they're brewing up impressive images that will make your morning commute just a little brighter. Hooked on coffee culture? Plan a trip to one of the best coffee shops in the U.S., but before you go, test your coffee lingo and make sure you can talk the talk.
1

Einstein

Impressive Latte Art
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalcolony/" target="_blank">Michael Allen Smith</a>

Maybe you want to drink your coffee before thinking in depth about Einstein's equations, but you can certainly appreciate the detail in this cup before you sip. Michael Breach, known around Instagram as baristart, creates instantly recognizable, meticulously detailed portraits atop your caffeine fix. He even works parties so you and your guests can have personalized portraits done — that means your party will be buzzed about for months to come!

2

Robot Stencil

<p>In the world of latte art, stenciling might be the easiest way to get a crisp image on the kava. Also worth checking out is this <a href="http://www.artofobama.com/2009/01/03/coffee-stencil/" target="_blank">Obama stencil</a> found in Berlin.</p>
<p>By Oleksie Pikalo, at <a href="http://makerfaire.com/bayarea-2013/" target="_blank">Maker Faire 2013</a></p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/donotlick/" target="_blank">Jennifer Morrow</a>

In the world of latte art, stenciling might be the easiest way to get a crisp image. Also worth checking out is this Obama stencil found in Berlin.

By Oleksie Pikalo at Maker Faire 2013

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3

Dragon

<p>Starting out from a simple pour, this fire-breathing dragon emerged. Stirring in that packet of sugar would be such a shame.</p>
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Seeteufel" target="_blank">Sigismund von Dobschütz</a>

Starting out from a simple pour, this fire-breathing dragon emerged. Stirring in that packet of sugar would be such a shame.

4

Bear and Rabbit

<p>Going to work grumpy when an adorable animal is floating at the top of your coffee cup is almost impossible. The rabbit is even smiling.</p>
<p>Made by <a href="http://www.alturacoffee.co.nz/" target="_blank">Altura Cafe</a> in Albany.</p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rengber/" target="_blank">Robert Engberg</a>

Going to work grumpy when an adorable animal is floating at the top of your coffee cup is almost impossible. The rabbit is even smiling.

Made by Altura Cafe in Albany.

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5

Owl

<p>Nowtoo Sugi is another latte artist that posts images of his work on <a href="http://instagram.com/nowtoo" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Nowtoo" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Most of these latte masterpieces have a pop of color and range from beloved cartoon characters to highly detailed portraits of animals or people.</p>
Twitter User <a href="https://twitter.com/Nowtoo" target="_blank">Nowtoo</a>

Nowtoo Sugi is another latte artist who posts images of his work on Instagram and Twitter. Most of the artist's latte masterpieces have a pop of color and range from beloved cartoon characters to highly detailed portraits of animals and people.

6

Flower

<p>As the fall days get longer, it gets a little harder to drag yourself out of bed each day, making cheery latte art all the more appreciated.</p>
<p>Pumpkin Spice Latte by <a href="http://www.secondcup.com/" target="_blank">Second Cup</a></p>
Flickr User <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleymackinnon/" target="_blank">Ashley MacKinnon MacKinnon</a>

As the fall days lead into winter, it gets a little harder to drag yourself out of bed each day, making cheery latte art all the more appreciated.

Pumpkin Spice Latte by Second Cup

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7

The Twitter Bird

<p>Sure looks a lot like that omnipresent logo, doesn't it? Hopefully it was Tweeted out from Berlin, where it was served.</p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreasivarsson/" target="_blank">Andreas Ivarsson</a>

Sure looks a lot like that omnipresent logo, doesn't it? Hopefully it was Tweeted out from Berlin, where it was served.

8

Running Giraffe

<p>Between the caffeine and this overjoyed giraffe, your morning will be up and running in no time.</p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spilt-milk/" target="_blank">yoppy</a>

Between the caffeine and this overjoyed giraffe, your morning will be up and running in no time.

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9

Dinosaur

<p>The kid in you couldn't help but have a good day after receiving this on your morning cup of joe.</p>
<p>By Claude of <a href="http://www.kickstandcoffee.com/" target="_blank">Kickstand Espresso</a></p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/julietbanana/" target="_blank">Lorena Cupcake</a>

The kid in you couldn't help but have a good day after receiving this on your morning cup of joe.

By Claude of Kickstand Espresso

10

Alien Skull

<p>In the midst of all the cute latte art out there, there are edgier variations. Grumpy until you get your morning jolt? This might be the latte art for you.</p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/banditob/" target="_blank">banditob</a>

In the midst of all the cute latte art out there, there are edgier variations. Grumpy until you get your morning jolt? This might be the latte art for you.

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11

Cat Hunting Fish

<p>This impressive work of latte foam art has been making its way around the Internet. Though its creator, <a href="https://twitter.com/george_10g" target="_blank">Kazuki Yamamoto</a>, has a penchant for sculpting foam, his work is by no means limited to it. Often moving from 2D to 3D in one cup, Yamamoto creates realistic portraits just as easily as towering foam giraffes.</p>
Courtesy of <a href="https://twitter.com/george_10g" target="_blank">Kazuki Yamamoto</a>

This impressive work of latte foam art has been making its way around the Internet. Though its creator, Kazuki Yamamoto, has a penchant for sculpting foam, his work is by no means limited to it. Often moving from 2D to 3D in one cup, Yamamoto creates realistic portraits just as easily as towering foam giraffes.

12

Freckles

<p>Between the etched freckles and the imprinted bite-sized cookie on the side, you're off to a good start when you order from this coffee shop.</p>
<p>Spotted in Tokyo, Japan.</p>
Wiki Commons User: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/86823656@N00" target="_blank">summer park</a>

Between the etched freckles and the imprinted bite-sized cookie on the side, you're off to a good start when you order from this coffee shop.

Spotted in Tokyo, Japan.

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13

Extended Rosettas

<p>Almost all of us have seen a barista finish off our latte rosetta with a flick of the wrist, which is impressive enough first thing in the morning. Some baristas, including this award-winning one, keep the theme but embellish their lattes even further.</p>
<p>Served at <a href="http://www.ristr8to-coffee-chiangmai.com/" target="_blank">Doppio Ristretto</a> in Chiang Mai, Thailand.</p>
Wiki Commons User: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Takeaway" target="_blank">Takeaway</a>

Almost all of us have seen a barista finish off a latte rosetta with a flick of the wrist, which is impressive enough first thing in the morning. Some baristas, including the award-winning one who made this drink, keep the theme but embellish their lattes even further.

Served at Doppio Ristretto in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

14

Happy Sun

<p>Leaving your regular coffee joint grumpy would be impossible after being handed this grinning sun, which appears to be part pour and part etching.</p>
Wiki Commons User: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Yug" target="_blank">Yug</a>

Even if it's a cloudy, rainy day, you can get your daily dose of sunshine with your daily dose of caffeine.

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15

Woman Etching

<p>Perhaps the most impressive element of this latte etching is the detail in the woman's curly hair. We're hoping this is a portrait of the early morning coffee shop goer, but guessing it probably isn't.</p>
<p>Spotted at <a href="http://www.waweecoffee.com" target="_blank">Wawee Coffee</a> in Chiang Mai, Thailand.</p>
Wiki Commons User: <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Takeaway" target="_blank">Takeaway</a>

Perhaps the most impressive element of this latte etching is the detail in the woman's curly hair.

Spotted at Wawee Coffee in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

16

Hot Chocolate Art

<p>There's no need for you to miss the fun just because you're not a coffee drinker. Order a frothy hot chocolate and you just might find an abstract etching like this one.</p>
<p>Made by <a href="http://www.dubseacoffee.com/" target="_blank">Dubsea Coffee</a> in Seattle.</p>
Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalcolony/" target="_blank">Michael Allen Smith</a>

There's no need for you to miss the fun just because you're not a coffee drinker. Order a frothy hot chocolate and you just might find an abstract etching like this one.

Made by Dubsea Coffee in Seattle.

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