Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Bean Hopper • Green Coffee • French Press

Latte Art

Term from Cafes industry explained for recruiters

Latte Art is a skilled technique used in coffee preparation where baristas create visually appealing designs on the surface of coffee drinks, particularly lattes and cappuccinos. This is done by carefully pouring steamed milk into espresso in a way that forms patterns like hearts, leaves, or more complex designs. It's an important skill in high-end coffee shops and cafes because it demonstrates a barista's expertise and adds value to the customer experience. While not all coffee shops require latte art skills, it's increasingly becoming a standard expectation in specialty coffee establishments.

Examples in Resumes

Mastered Latte Art techniques including rosettes, hearts, and tulip designs

Trained junior staff in Latte Art and milk steaming techniques

Won regional Latte Art competition representing our cafe

Typical job title: "Baristas"

Also try searching for:

Barista Senior Barista Lead Barista Coffee Artist Specialty Coffee Barista Coffee Shop Manager Head Barista

Where to Find Baristas

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Resources

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you design a training program for new baristas to learn latte art?

Expected Answer: A senior barista should outline a structured approach starting with milk steaming basics, moving to simple designs like hearts, then advancing to more complex patterns. They should mention hands-on practice, monitoring progress, and adapting teaching methods to different learning styles.

Q: How do you maintain consistency in latte art quality during peak hours?

Expected Answer: The answer should cover time management, maintaining quality under pressure, and balancing speed with presentation. They should also mention techniques for quick recovery from mistakes and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the key factors that affect latte art quality?

Expected Answer: Should explain the importance of milk temperature, foam texture, espresso quality, pouring technique, and cup temperature in simple terms. Should be able to troubleshoot common issues.

Q: Describe your process for creating a rosetta pattern.

Expected Answer: Should be able to clearly explain the steps: proper milk preparation, initial pour position, wiggle technique, and the pull-through finish, demonstrating understanding of basic and intermediate patterns.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the proper milk texture for latte art?

Expected Answer: Should describe the right consistency (like wet paint), explain basic steaming technique, and know the difference between latte and cappuccino foam textures.

Q: How do you prepare the espresso shot for latte art?

Expected Answer: Should understand basic espresso extraction, know the importance of crema, and explain why timing matters when combining espresso and milk.