The Blazing Solar Flare

This one is certain to heat up your coffee shop on a cold winter's day. All you need to create a nice big solar flare is some chocolate syrup, a spoon, and a clean pointed metal object of some kind. Don't worry about technicality here. You won't have to use any fancy pouring techniques to create this design. Just keep your hand steady and swirl away. You'll be on your way to an aesthetically pleasing cup in no time.

We must always mention the importance of brewing high quality espresso and making perfect foam for every design. A great cup of coffee will always yield great art. Be sure to angle the steam wand to the side of the pitcher to get the milk to swirl around as you near the end of the steaming process. This ensures a uniform foam that does more than please the eye. It will leave your customers' taste buds wanting more.

You will start the solar flare by filling most of the cup with steamed milk, creating a nice golden brown layer on top after the milk and espresso mix. Next, get out your spoon and create a ring of white foam the width of a teaspoon, making sure to leave a big brown dot of crema foam in the middle of the cup. If your design looks like a white target shape, you're on the right track. If not, have a cup of coffee (preferably the one right in front of you) and try again.

The solar flare is a chocolate swirl design similar to many of the other tutorials. Get out your chocolate syrup. You are going to line the outside and inside of the target shape with it. Make sure every edge is covered before you move on to the next step.

Once the chocolate syrup is in place, the rest is easy. Get your metal stirrer and begin at the inside edge of the target shape. Move in tiny counter-clockwise swirling motions around the inside edge of the target. Stop once you have gone around once. Wipe off the metal stirrer. Place it on the outside edge of the target and use the same counter-clockwise swirling motion for the outside edges as well.

Be sure your swirls are small and consistent in size throughout the entire design. Even if your target shape isn't uniform, it will become uniform with the right technique. When you are finished, the swirls should take on the shape of a sunburst. Take out your metal stirrer and show off this design to your friends. Sip it while it's warm and wish for warmer weather. It's around the corner.

Learn more about making Latte Art in our Latte Art How To!