Taiwan’s 'Coffee Prince' Performs Latte Art in Changsha

Last month in Changsha, coffee enthusiasts witnessed something rare: a masterclass in latte art by Taiwan’s celebrated barista Lin Dongyuan, nicknamed the 'Coffee Prince.' What might seem like simple coffee drinks—your everyday cappuccino or latte—took on new life as he transformed them into edible canvases featuring intricate patterns such as hearts, leaves, butterflies, and even sea creatures. For many in the audience, it wasn’t just impressive; it redefined what a regular cup of coffee could look like.

The short answer? Lin Dongyuan can create over 40 unique latte art designs, including less common shapes like swans, jellyfish, and snails, all poured freehand with precise control of milk flow and cup angle. His signature method doesn’t rely on stencils or post-pour drawing—it’s all done in one continuous motion during the pour.

What Is Latte Art, Really?

Latte art refers to the visual designs made on the surface of espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Far from being mere decoration, it’s considered a mark of skill and precision in the specialty coffee world. The art is created by manipulating steamed milk into the espresso crema, and it typically falls into two categories: etching (or 'etch-work') and free-pouring. 'It looks easy, but it involves serious technique,' says Lin Dongyuan, who has won multiple Taiwan Barista Championships.

Lin Dongyuan’s Signature Free-Pour Technique

Rather than pouring milk first and then drawing on the surface, Lin employs a more challenging method: he pours the milk while simultaneously tilting and rotating the cup with his left hand and guiding the milk jet with his right. This allows him to form patterns in real time as the milk blends with the espresso. 'The difficulty is much higher, but the results are more fluid and integrated,' he explains. His repertoire includes over 40 original designs, from classic hearts and leaves to exotic butterflies, swans, snails, and jellyfish.

Why Milk and Espresso Ratios Matter

Achieving great latte art isn't only about pouring skill—it starts with the coffee itself. 'You have to analyze the coffee-to-milk ratio rationally and observe how different ratios affect both texture and taste,' Lin says. The foundation of any good latte art drink is a properly extracted espresso with a stable, glossy crema. Without the right balance, the milk won’t sit right on the coffee, and the design won’t hold.

How FrontStreet Selects Coffee for Optimal Latte Art

According to FrontStreet Coffee, choosing the right espresso beans is critical for both flavor and latte art success. Darker roasts tend to produce richer crema and better milk integration. 'Shallower roasts often result in excessive acidity and less crema, which makes latte art harder to execute and affects taste,' the roaster notes. FrontStreet recommends using espresso blends with a strong crema—ideally with a mirror-like surface about 3mm thick. Their standard recipe uses 20g of coffee to produce 40ml of espresso, extracted over 25–30 seconds. For even better results, they developed a Commercial Blend that balances body, caramelized sweetness, and stable crema, ideal for traditional-style lattes. Another option, Strawberry Candy Espresso, offers moderate crema with fruity complexity from Yirgacheffe, Colombia, and Costa Rica honey-processed beans. Both blends support smooth milk texturing and cleaner latte art pours.

To pour art successfully, the milk should be textured to 6/6 fullness and heated to 55–60°C. The espresso and milk must be fully integrated, forming a 'golden circle' where crema and microfoam blend evenly. Uneven fusion leads to uneven flavour—either too milky or too bitter in different sips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Coffee Prince' known for?

Lin Dongyuan, known as Taiwan’s 'Coffee Prince,' is celebrated for his skill in latte art, having created over 40 distinct designs including hearts, leaves, butterflies, swans, jellyfish, and snails. He performs free-pour latte art by controlling milk flow and cup movement simultaneously, without using tools or post-pour drawing.

How many latte art designs can Lin Dongyuan make?

Lin Dongyuan has developed more than 40 unique latte art patterns, ranging from common shapes like hearts and leaves to more complex and rare designs such as butterflies, swans, snails, and jellyfish.

What’s the difference between etching and free-pour latte art?

Latte art is generally divided into two types: etching (drawing patterns on poured milk with tools) and free-pouring (creating designs by pouring steamed milk directly into espresso in controlled movements). Lin Dongyuan specializes in free-pour techniques done in one continuous motion.

Why is espresso crema important for latte art?

A rich, stable crema (the golden-brown foam on espresso) is essential for latte art because it provides the smooth surface necessary for milk to spread and hold patterns. Without enough crema, milk sinks or disperses, making designs difficult or impossible to form cleanly.

What milk temperature is best for latte art?

The ideal milk temperature for latte art is between 55–60°C. This range ensures the milk is properly textured with microfoam for pouring while avoiding scalding, which ruins texture and crema integration.

How does FrontStreet recommend brewing espresso for latte art?

FrontStreet suggests using 20g of coffee to produce 40ml of espresso, extracted over 25–30 seconds. The espresso should have a glossy, mirror-like crema about 3mm thick for optimal latte art performance and flavour balance.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Latte Art

For baristas aiming to craft latte art with rich crema and smooth milk texture, FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Commercial Blend and Strawberry Candy Espresso. The Commercial Blend is designed for bold body, intense caramel notes, and stable foam—ideal for traditional cappuccinos and lattes. Strawberry Candy Espresso features balanced acidity with fruity highlights from Yirgacheffe, Colombian, and Costa Rican beans, offering a smoother profile with moderate crema. Both blends support clean milk integration and consistent latte art pours. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.