An artistic approach to coffee presentation

Abstract

There are various legends as there is no clear information about where the name of coffee came from and how it was found. Coffee is a type of beverage that has been influenced by different cultures for centuries and is widely consumed around the world. With the changes experienced with coffee from the past to the present, coffee houses have been opened with the fact that coffee is loved and preferred by every society. With the spread of such environments, coffee consumption has increased and the art of coffee has emerged. Every coffee shop tries alternative methods such as different presentation styles, coffee types, interior designs and campaigns in order to attract customers. In this context, the subject of the study is the coffee arts made in coffee shops. Coffee varies in different brewing method and presentation depending on the type or culture. With these changes, today's coffee art has emerged by making different patterns on coffee while serving. Latte is an Italian word meaning milk.  Latte art or coffee art is a method of pouring foam to create patterns on coffee. In order to make coffee art, first of all, it is necessary to prepare coffees such as espresso, latte, capucino and macchiato. In order to shape on the coffee, the milk must first be steamed and turned into foam. Afterwards, the foam is slowly given the desired shape and poured over the coffee in the cup to draw the pattern. With the foam remaining on the coffee, desired aesthetic shapes can be made. Although mostly basic figures such as hearts and leaves are made on coffee, baristas who specialize in this work can make figures such as portraits, swans, flowers and different animal patterns. In order to make coffee art, an effective visual coffee emerges with the presence of milk foam with a good consistency. By keeping the foam on top, the desired shape can be given with tools such as jugs, toothpicks and teaspoons. While shaping, aesthetic patterns emerge by combining the art, imagination and creativity of the person. There are different methods and techniques of making coffee art. The first one is the free pouring technique, with this technique, shapes in different patterns are created by pouring the foam in the jug into the coffee cup from above with a hand gesture. Shapes such as hearts, leaves, tulips and swans are made with this technique. The second is the etching technique, this technique is done by shaping the foam with tools such as thin skewers, toothpicks or teaspoons. Third, the rainbow technique, unlike other processes, is a process done by putting colored food coloring into the milk. Fourth, the 3D technique consists of making an animal in various forms on the cup with foam in 3D. Fifth processing technique, in this method, after the pattern is made with foam, the image is enriched by adding sauces such as chocolate and caramel on it to decorate and give details. Apart from the printer, the desired image can be printed on coffee via mobile applications as well. In addition, famous paintings such as Van Gogh's "Starry Night", Edvard Munch's "The Scream" and Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" made on coffee in detail. Every art-filled cup is an effort to attract the attention and appreciation of the customer. In the art of coffee, aesthetic figures in different patterns can be made, as well as inspired by famous paintings. A cup of coffee can turn into a work of art and create a unique painting. Baristas can not only transfer the patterns they want through coffee art, but also make shapes according to the customer's wishes.  While a surface and a pen are needed to draw a pattern in the art of painting, the desired figure can be made with coffee and milk foam in the art of coffee. Aesthetic forms emerge with the combination of coffee and milk foam used instead of paint.  The visual appearance of coffee is as important as its taste. The pattern made in a cup is like a painting specially prepared for the customer. Making such coffee presentations in the coffee shop is an indication that they care about coffee and customers. These are colored with food dyes and presented by framing the paintings in a cup. With the art of coffee, artistic works that have a visual effect are emerging. When a social media account is entered, it is seen that most of the images shared are a photo of a coffee cup in a cafe. Ten million eight hundred thousand coffee art photos were shared with the hashtag “latteart” on Instagram. When a social media account is entered, it is seen that most of the images shared are a photo of a coffee cup in a cafe. In this context, in the research, besides the flowers, leaves and 3D figures made in different styles and methods on coffee cups, examples of coffee art inspired by famous paintings are included. The customer who goes to the coffee shop can be impressed by the artful and attentive presentation of the coffee he ordered and can be motivated to go to that coffee shop again. The effect of coffee served straight and coffee made with coffee art will not be the same in the eyes of the customer. When a customer going to a coffee shop sees the fun and aesthetic designs on the coffee he ordered, he can make this customer smile. With the art of coffee, artistic works that have a visual effect are emerging. Within the scope of the research, the definition of coffee, its history, coffee art methods and examples of coffee patterns accessed from the internet are included. In the research, the review study model was used by making a literature review. It is aimed to be a resource in the field of fine arts with the combination of the concepts of coffee and art. It is also thought that it will create an idea for people who want to work on the art of coffee.