Open Eye Cafe teaches the art of latte designs

At a latte-making class at Open Eye Cafe on Saturday, students unleashed their coffee creativity, trying their hands at making designs from elephants to tulips.

Barista Miles Murray said the perfect latte is all about the milk.

“It’s literally a science,” Murray said. “And for someone that doesn’t like science, it’s real difficult.”

In order to create designs on the top of the latte, baristas pour the paint-like steamed milk over the espresso with care.

The elaborate designs are then made with a quick flourish by the barista when the coffee is about to pour over the rim.

But some students in the class found the craft difficult.

When Andrew Heintz tried his hand at pouring a design for his latte, the design didn’t come out as planned.

“I am now drinking elephant squid lungs,” Heintz said as he took the first sip of his coffee.

Murray, who has been a barista for eight years, said creating latte designs was an imperfect art, but it is worth the effort.

“Making coffee art is a symbol of quality,” Murray said. “So having latte art is like a barista’s stamp of approval. A good barista is going to be able to offer you that guarantee.”

For John Lapp, a retired professor from N.C. State, learning about making latte art was about appreciating detail.

“Any field you can think of has more complexity than you realize,” Lapp said.

“It’s fun to see that — it’s fun to see the complexity behind something that seemed simple.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.