Four Austin baristas share a whole 'latte' about brewing up their favorite photogenic creations.
By Courtney Runn, Photos courtesy of Wild Chix & Waffles, Greater Goods Coffee Roasters, Merit Coffee and Patika
Coffee is an art. Baristas train extensively and even compete in national competitions to perfect the ideal cup of coffee and develop elaborate concoctions. Perhaps their most photogenic creation is a social-media favorite, latte art. In 2017, Austin hosted a qualifying competition for the U.S. Coffee Championships, which included an impressive Latte Art Throwdown. Whether you want to learn from the greats or simply get the perfect Instagram-worthy cup of joe, these ladies are showing us all how it’s done.
Barista: Wendy Wu
Coffee shop: Wild Chix & Waffles
Favorite latte-art design: “My top three favorites are swan, bear or heart.”
How she takes her coffee: “My favorite drink at Wild Chix has to be the matcha latte, which is our most popular drink. Made with premium matcha green tea from Aichi prefecture in Japan, the drink is complex, aromatic and umami-rich.”
Barista: Selina Gonzales
Coffee shop: Greater Goods Coffee Roasters
Favorite latte-art design: “I’m currently enjoying pouring swans. They are new and challenging for me but fun!”
Hardest part of making latte art: “It’s easy to get nervous and get shaky hands when people watch you pour and have high expectations.”
Barista: Caitlin Marr
Coffee shop: Patika
Favorite latte-art design: “Honestly, stupid things like sad faces.”
How she takes her coffee: “Cappuccinos for the morning. Iced vanilla lattes when I want a treat.”
Barista: Camille Graybeal
Coffee shop: Merit Coffee
Favorite latte-art design: “Rosetta”
Best thing about being a barista: “Being able to meet people from different walks of life that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to interact with.”
