Yesterday, I posted a picture of a fantastic rosetta pour, along with a couple shots of my own attempts. Below, I’m going to show you a couple I poured today, a pair of lattes that are almost there. But first, I should probably explain why in the world any of this matters. I’ve always wondered about my level of ambition. Do other people crave to be “the best” at something as much as I do? Am I fooling myself by thinking there’s purpose in striving to be “the best” at, say, billiards or writing or — in this case — making lattes? No, I don’t think I am. I may never be THE best, but ultimately that’s a pursuit of pride. Rather, I’d like to stand out at something, something I enjoy and that has value, simply because good work is virtuous by the very nature of its goodness.

So! What if I could pour the best lattes in Bowling Green? Or even in Kentucky, for that matter? What’s the worth? Well, for starters, a latte with intricate art almost guarantees a great flavor; if the espresso’s not brewed properly, and the milk not textured properly, then making the art is impossible. So latte art is a check/balance on the drink-making process as a whole. (The same “texturing” is crucial for cappuccinos as well, although the mass amounts of foam involved eliminate the possibility of art.) On top of that, if you’re going to drink a latte — and pay upwards of $3 for it — wouldn’t you prefer that extra level of attention, detail and care? I know I would.

Anyway, it’s something I’m going to keep striving for… to make my very best lattes every time, and eventually make them better than anyone. Anyone, at least, in the nearby vicinity.

Now, for the pictures!

Here’s the “ideal” again, just for reference:

And here are my own.

The poor heart with a bit of rosetta tendency…

The rosetta starts to bud, but no blooms!

The best yet! Articulate leaves, fine-pointed stem… just needs more color and a bit more curve!

Tags: latte art, rosetta

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 at 12.53 pm and is filed under coffee. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.