Latte Art: tulips, rosettas, and ferns

Latte Art was unheard of until the late 1980s. But what started as a small town craze has rapidly progressed to a worldwide epidemic.

For those unaware of the trend, Latte Art is when the barista creates a picture on the top surface of your drink. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Latte, but - regardless of the type of coffee - we call it Latte Art.

For those who are adept at differentiating between tulips, rosettas, and ferns, you will agree that, besides a fleeting moment of appreciation, these patterns contribute nothing to your enjoyment of the beverage.

Latte Art is very much an acquired skill that requires either professional training or watching copious YouTube videos. This doesn't, however, make it big or cool. And it certainly isn't clever.

It's a game that the chains tend not to play and with good reason. Depicting the Mona Lisa atop your morning coffee will take a fair bit longer than if we just go ahead and pour your Latte the traditional way. It will add nothing to the taste and will most definitely add to the time you spend waiting.

We're all for a bit of cultural influence during our working day, but as mother says, you shouldn't play with your food - and you really shouldn't play with other people's.