The Daisy

If you are an advanced latte art technician, the Daisy will be your next trademark design after learning the tulip. This design is a slight modification of the tulip that can done by varying the pour technique and using a pointed metal device to create the distinctive daisy flower head. When properly executed, the daisy is a unique latte art design that will draw more clients to your coffee shop or restaurant. None of your friends will be able to duplicate it (Unless they frequent this site).

Because this design is so heavily dependent on knowing how to create a tulip, we advise you not to proceed unless you are very familiar with pouring tulips. By now, we shouldn't have to tell you just how important it is to have the right espresso grind and milk foam. Remember to tilt the steam wand to the side of the steam pitcher as you near the end of the steaming process. This ensures an even foam texture that is absolutely essential for this design.

The beginning of the daisy pour, as you would expect, is very similar to that of the tulip. You will start by pouring the first heart-like shape into the cup. When you pour your next heart-like shape, be sure that it is above the first shape and that your are moving the steam pitcher toward the first shape as you pour it. This effectively pushes the first shape around the second shape, creating the distinctive two layered base you find on all tulip designs.

The daisy design departs from the tulip design when you pour the third shape. If you were making a tulip, you would simply repeat what you did when you poured the second shape, attempting to get the second shape to wrap around the third. When you pour a daisy, you simply create a heart shape about a centimeter above the second shape. Don't worry if it doesn't look like a flower yet. That's what the long pointed metal stirrer is for.

With the three shapes in place, it's time to bring them all together with your metal stirrer. Start at the top of the third shape (which should look like a plump heart) and bring the metal stirrer through it and the rest of the design, creating an “S” shape on your way to the bottom of the cup. When you do this, it pulls the tulip-like base of the design downward, making it look like the leaves of a flower. Take out your stirrer and wipe it off with a towel.

Start again at the top of your flower, or the third shape you poured. This will be the head of your daisy. In order to make the petals, you need to make six small counter-clockwise looping motions with the metal stirrer. Starting from the center of the daisy head, bring the stirrer out to the edge of the heart shape, move it slightly counter-clockwise, and then bring it back to the center. Repeat this six times until you have gone all the way around the shape and can very clearly see the daisy petals. With a little practice, this will become easy and intuitive. It might seem complicated now. Just think of the shape you are making, and you will be fine.

As a final touch, dip your metal stirrer into the brown crema foam on the outside of your design, and place a brown dot in the middle of your daisy head. Hooray! You just created one of the more difficult latte art designs. What we love about the daisy is that it comes out different every time depending on the initial pour. If you have one that has turned out mind-bogglingly spectacular, we would love to see it on the site!

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