Six Baristas Compete in Final of Latte Art Creative Challenge

Six of China’s most skilled latte artists gathered not in a café—but inside the Colombian Embassy in Beijing—for the finals of the "Coffee Art at Home" latte art creativity competition. With just milk, espresso, and foam, they transformed classic drinks into intricate edible artworks including hearts, leaves, swans, and smiles, pushing the craft far beyond the everyday cappuccino.

In a two-hour showdown, six finalists created original latte designs onsite. The winner, Ji Fangwei from Beijing Coffee Salon (entrant #3), took first prize and a free trip to Colombia. Runner-up spots went to Pei Ke and Bian Shaolong, who won stays at premium domestic resorts. A total of one first, two second, and three third place awards were given.

What Is Latte Art—Really?

Latte art refers to decorative designs made on the surface of espresso-based drinks, typically cappuccinos or lattes. There are two distinct techniques: free-pour latte art ("") and etching (""). Free-pour involves pouring steamed milk with microfoam directly into espresso to form patterns like hearts or tulips during the pour. Etching, meanwhile, uses a latte art tool or even chocolate syrup to draw finer details on the foam’s surface after the drink is poured.

The Competition: Who Judged and What Was Created?

The final round featured six national finalists invited to the Colombian Embassy. Each competitor produced original designs, commonly including motifs such as hearts, leaves, swans, and smiley faces. The event wasn’t just a test of pouring skill but also creativity, execution under time pressure, and aesthetic appeal.

Colombian Ambassador to China, Ms. Carmenza Jaramillo, spoke at the event. She highlighted the embassy’s monthly "Coffee Happy Hour," aimed at inviting Chinese guests to taste authentic Colombian coffee and engage with its culture. The event reinforced coffee as a bridge between cultures—even while baristas poured art at an embassy.

Why This Matters for Home Baristas

Competitions like this showcase what’s possible with quality espresso and well-steamed milk—and inspire home brewers to refine their skills. While most drinkers enjoy latte art as visual flair, the techniques behind it reveal deeper control over milk texture, pour angle, flow rate, and timing. These are skills any home barista can practice, often with the same beans used in cafés.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many winners were there in the latte art competition?

There was one first-place winner, two second-place winners, and three third-place winners, making six awarded positions in total from the six finalists.

Who won first prize in the coffee latte art competition?

Ji Fangwei, entrant number three from Beijing Coffee Salon, won first prize. He received a free trip to Colombia as part of his award.

What are the two main types of latte art techniques?

The two main techniques are free-pour , where milk is poured to form designs directly, and etching , where designs are drawn on top of the drink using tools or chocolate syrup after pouring.

Where did the latte art finals take place?

The finals were held at the Colombian Embassy in Beijing, where competitors created their pieces in front of judges and attendees.

What kinds of designs did the baristas make?

Baristas created a range of creative designs including hearts, leaves, swans, and smiley faces, showcasing both traditional and original patterns.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Latte Art Practice

FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Classic Blend for those learning to pour latte art at home. This medium-dark roasted blend combines beans from three regions and includes a touch of Robusta for enhanced crema and stability. It delivers bold flavors with a thick, velvety microfoam ideal for practicing hearts and tulips. For a nuttier profile, the Specialty Blend features Colombian and Brazilian beans with notes of almond and dark chocolate—great for refining your pour. The Commercial Blend adds a bit more Robusta to boost body and foam texture, making it perfect for high-volume practice or commercial settings. All three blends produce stable crema and work well under home or café conditions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.