Imagine drinking a latte at a coffee shop. You look down and see a pretty heart, leaf, or even an animal on top of your coffee. This isn’t by chance — it’s latte art. Baristas use espresso and milk to make beautiful pictures on coffee. Every year, the best baristas compete in the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC).
What is the World Latte Art Championship?
The World Latte Art Championship is like the Olympic Games for coffee makers. It’s organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA). Baristas from different countries show their skills in making art with coffee and milk.
Judges check these things:
- How good the art looks: Does it look clear and nice?
- Creativity: Is the design unique and special?
- Consistency: Can the barista make the same design more than once?
- Contrast: Can you clearly see the milk against the coffee?
- Skill and calmness: How well does the barista perform under pressure?
Baristas make designs by just pouring milk (free-pour) or by using special tools (designer latte art).
Recent Latte Art Champions
Winning this championship means lots of practice and skill. Here are some baristas who recently became champions:
Chen Zhuohao (China) – 2025 Champion
Chen Zhuohao from China won in Geneva. His designs showed great skill and beauty.
Image via @barista_czh on InstagramYi-Chen Xie (Taiwan) – 2024 Champion
Yi-Chen Xie from Taiwan amazed everyone in Copenhagen with his designs. He made pictures of animals like a whale, moose, and dragon. His work showed that latte art can tell stories.
Manuela Fensore (Italy) – 2019 Champion
Manuela became the first woman to win this championship. She inspired many baristas around the world.
Image via @manuela_fensore_official on InstagramArnon Thitiprasert (Thailand) – 2018 Champion
Arnon from Thailand made detailed designs of animals like foxes and rabbits. People loved his creative art.
Image via @ristr8to on Instagram How Baristas Create Latte Art
Making latte art needs both creativity and practice:
- Good milk texture: Milk should be smooth and creamy.
- Pouring carefully: Baristas control the angle and speed of pouring milk to make shapes.
- Balanced designs: Good designs are clear, balanced, and neat.
- New ideas: The best baristas always try new designs to surprise and impress.
Why the Championship is Important
The World Latte Art Championship helps in many ways:
- Inspires baristas: It encourages baristas to learn and practice.
- Brings new ideas: Each year, baristas show new designs and techniques.
- Connects coffee lovers: People from around the world meet and share their love for coffee.
- Highlights barista skills: It shows latte art as a special and respected skill.
Next Time You Drink Coffee
When you see latte art in your cup, remember the hard work behind it. Every beautiful design comes from practice, skill, and passion—qualities that make latte art champions stand out.
