Taiwan’s Coffee Prince Lin Dongyuan and His Love for Latte Art

When most people think of coffee, they picture a quick caffeine fix. But for Lin Dongyuan, coffee is a canvas, a conversation, and a craft. Over 15 years in the industry, he turned his love for coffee into a movement—blending innovation, technique, and culture into every cup. At the second West Coast Baking & Coffee Exhibition in July 2007, the man known as Taiwan’s 'Coffee Prince' gave a lecture and performed live latte art demonstrations, showing how coffee can be both an aesthetic experience and a personal journey.

Lin Dongyuan is behind over 40 original latte art patterns including butterflies, swans, and jellyfish—and he invented many of them. He also won Taiwan’s national coffee championship twice and represented Taiwan at the World Barista Championship. His café, GABEE, isn’t just a shop—it’s a hub for learning, community, and creative coffee.

From Sweet Potato to Signature Drink

Lin Dongyuan didn’t just compete—he innovated. In 2004, his winning drink at Taiwan’s first national barista competition was called 'Sweet Potato Coffee' . He combined roasted sweet potato aroma with espresso, a surprising yet delicious pairing that played on local cultural identity. 'Taiwanese people often compare themselves to sweet potatoes, and the island itself is shaped like one,' he said. The goal wasn’t just flavor—it was emotional connection. That creativity helped him stand out and sparked deeper appreciation for coffee among his customers.

The Art Behind the Pour

Beyond drinks, Lin is a master of latte art. He’s created more than 40 unique patterns, going far beyond basic hearts and leaves. You’ll find swans, butterflies, sea snails, and jellyfish floating atop his espresso. Rather than pouring milk first and drawing with tools, Lin pours and steers simultaneously—using his left hand to tilt the cup while his right hand shapes the milk. This freehand technique demands precision, timing, and control. He believes great latte art reflects a dialogue between barista and beverage, where ratios, flow, and movement come together as a form of visual expression.

'You have to analyze the balance between coffee and milk rationally,' Lin explained. 'Every ratio change affects texture and taste. Latte art is not decoration—it’s part of the coffee experience.' His books, GABEE. Latte Art: Coffee and Milk’s Perfect Encounter and GABEE. Champion Creative Coffee, break down these techniques, emphasizing grip, angle, speed, and flow. Both are essential reading for anyone serious about mastering milk drinks.

GABEE: More Than a Café

Why open a coffee shop? 'For the human connection,' Lin said. At GABEE, interaction and education are as important as the drinks. He sees coffee culture as something rooted in local identity, not imitation of Western trends. 'A coffee shop should be a space for learning, sharing ideas, and building skills—not just serving coffee,' he noted. GABEE hosts classes on brewing, business, and technique. Customers can also buy branded merchandise, including T-shirts, cups, and even coffee-ground soap. For Lin, coffee culture grows through shared learning and everyday moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lin Dongyuan and why is he called Taiwan’s Coffee Prince?

Lin Dongyuan is a renowned Taiwanese coffee expert and café owner, founder of GABEE. He earned the nickname 'Taiwan’s Coffee Prince' for his innovation in coffee culture, competition success, and influential role in promoting latte art and specialty coffee in Taiwan since the early 2000s.

What awards has Lin Dongyuan won in coffee competitions?

Lin won Taiwan’s national coffee championship twice: first in 2004 and again in 2006. He was also the first Taiwanese barista to compete in the World Barista Championship in 2007.

What is the 'Sweet Potato Coffee' drink that made Lin famous?

'Sweet Potato Coffee' (also translated as 'You Can’t Resist Potato' or ) was Lin’s championship-winning drink in 2004. It combined espresso with the aroma of roasted sweet potato, reflecting local Taiwanese identity and creating an unexpected but memorable flavor pairing.

How many latte art patterns has Lin Dongyuan created?

Lin Dongyuan has created over 40 original latte art patterns, including not just common designs like hearts and leaves, but also swans, butterflies, jellyfish, and sea snails.

What books has Lin Dongyuan written about coffee and latte art?

Lin has authored GABEE. Latte Art: Coffee and Milk’s Perfect Encounter and GABEE. Champion Creative Coffee. These books teach readers how to create latte art patterns and emphasize the technical details behind milk pouring, such as hand position, angle, speed, and flow control.

What makes GABEE more than just a coffee shop?

GABEE serves as a community hub for coffee education, offering classes on brewing, business, and technique. It also sells branded merchandise and promotes a localized approach to coffee culture, focusing on interaction, creativity, and skill-sharing rather than copying Western styles.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Practicing Latte Art

If you're learning to pour latte art at home, start with FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—an approachable medium-dark roast combining Brazilian and Indonesian beans with a touch of Robusta for extra crema and body. It offers toasty, caramelized notes with stable extraction. For a nuttier profile, try the Specialty Blend, featuring Colombian and Brazilian beans with flavors of almond, dark chocolate, and smooth milk sweetness. Both are ideal for developing pour control and mastering classic latte designs. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.