What Is Fancy Coffee and How Is Latte Art Done?

When you order a 'fancy' coffee at a café, you're likely getting more than just espresso and water. But what exactly makes a coffee 'fancy'? And why do some coffee drinks catch on worldwide while others vanish? This guide breaks down the real differences between classic and modern coffee styles, why espresso forms the base for almost all enduring fancy drinks, and how latte art fits into the picture—not as a requirement, but as an art form in its own right.

Fancy coffee generally means any coffee drink made by adding ingredients or modifying a base coffee. But only espresso-based drinks—like lattes and cappuccinos—have stood the test of time globally. Traditional styles like the Italian latte have widespread recognition, while newer, non-standard creations vary widely and often stay local.

What Counts as Fancy Coffee?

Fancy coffee refers to any coffee beverage made by adding ingredients such as milk, syrups, or flavorings to a base coffee, or by altering its preparation. These drinks go beyond plain brewed coffee or espresso. The term covers everything from lattes and cappuccinos to more inventive or seasonal beverages found in cafés.

Why Most Drip-Based Fancy Coffees Disappeared

Historically, many fancy coffee drinks were made with drip or filter coffee—for example, the French 'café au lait' or 'eau de vie' style mixed coffees. But almost all of these faded away by the late 20th century. The key exception: the French-style milk coffee, similar to what Italians call a 'caffè latte', was eventually replaced by the Italian-style latte itself once espresso culture spread. Today, almost all enduring fancy coffee drinks are based on espresso, not drip coffee.

This shift highlights a key point: espresso provides the texture, intensity, and crema needed to support milk and foam in a way that drip coffee simply can’t match. Attempts to build fancy drinks on drip coffee rarely succeed in the long term. That’s why nearly all globally popular fancy drinks—latte, cappuccino, flat white, macchiato—are espresso-based.

Two Types of Fancy Coffee: Traditional vs Non-Standard

Fancy coffee can be divided into two broad categories based on popularity, history, and recognition:

Traditional (Standard) Fancy Coffee

These are drinks with long-standing global or regional popularity. They include well-known beverages like the latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat white. Key traits:

• Popular for decades or longer
• Recognized across many countries
• Have consistent recipes and presentation standards
• Served in most cafés worldwide

Non-Standard Fancy Coffee

These are newer, often localized drinks created by individual baristas or shops. They might include unique flavor combinations, unconventional milk ratios, or experimental techniques. Traits include:

• Short-lived or niche popularity
• Limited recognition outside their origin
• Often lack standardized recipes
• Created based on personal or regional preference

Why This Classification Matters for Cafés

For café owners and baristas, understanding the difference is crucial. Traditional fancy coffees have fixed expectations—customers know what a latte should taste and look like. Serving a latte that deviates too much risks alienating customers. That’s why most successful cafés stick closely to established recipes for traditional drinks.

On the other hand, non-standard drinks offer room for creativity. Baristas can tweak recipes, naming, or presentation without confusing customers—because there’s no universal expectation. This flexibility lets shops experiment and differentiate without harming their core offering.

The Role of Latte Art

Latte art—the patterns created in the foam of milk-based espresso drinks—is considered an art form. While not covered in detail here due to space, it plays a big role in the presentation and perceived quality of standard fancy drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Those interested can explore dedicated latte art tutorials to develop these skills further.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is fancy coffee?

Fancy coffee refers to any coffee drink that includes added ingredients or modifications to a base coffee, such as milk, syrup, or foam. Most commonly, it involves combining espresso with steamed milk to create drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and similar styles. It does not include plain brewed coffee or simple espresso shots.

Why did drip coffee-based fancy drinks disappear?

Drip coffee lacks the body, richness, and crema that espresso provides, making it less suitable for combining with milk and foam in visually appealing and flavorful ways. As espresso culture grew, milk-based drinks shifted almost entirely to espresso bases, leading to the decline of drip-based fancy coffees by the late 20th century.

What’s the difference between traditional and non-standard fancy coffee?

Traditional fancy coffee includes long-established drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, recognized worldwide with consistent recipes. Non-standard fancy coffee refers to newer, often localized creations with unique recipes or presentations that may not be widely known or standardized.

Are non-standard fancy coffee drinks worth trying?

Yes, especially if you’re curious about innovation or exploring a café’s unique style. Since they aren’t bound by global expectations, these drinks allow for more experimentation. However, they may not always meet the consistent quality or taste profile of traditional options.

Do I need to learn latte art to make good fancy coffee?

No, latte art is not required to make a good-tasting fancy coffee. It mainly affects the visual appeal. However, properly steamed milk with microfoam is essential for both good taste and the foundation of latte art. Learning to steam milk well will improve both the look and flavor of your milk-based espresso drinks.

Which coffee drinks count as 'standard' fancy coffee?

Standard fancy coffee includes widely known drinks like the latte, cappuccino, flat white, macchiato, Americano, and mocha. These drinks have consistent recipes and are recognized in most coffee shops around the world.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Practicing Latte Art

To practice latte art at home, FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Classic Blend, Specialty Blend, and Commercial Blend—all medium to dark roasted espresso blends designed for milk drinks. The Classic Blend combines beans from three regions with a hint of Robusta for extra crema and body, offering flavors of butter, toast, and caramel. The Specialty Blend uses Colombian and Brazilian beans for nutty, chocolatey notes with smooth milk compatibility. The Commercial Blend adds a touch more Robusta to boost texture and stability, ideal for café-quality foam and easy pouring. All three develop strong crema and work well for lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.