Latte art - rise of the machines

[Paul]

behold!

Latte Art Printing Machine - how to build one!

[Ardvaark]

What?! I mean, I love drinking my morning cup of sugar and salt as much as the next guy, but .... really?!

Seriously, though, how does this thing work? Is it sticking a pin into the foam?

[roblumba]

Very inventive but I think it's very appropriate that the Starbucks logo is on there and latte art is being done through AUTOMATION! So push button to get your espresso and push button to get your latte art!

Latte Art is supposed to not only be esthetically pleasing, but also an indication of a well made drink because it shows the beans are fresh and well extracted, resulting in a brown crema which mixes well with milk when it's been properly steamed to a silky microfoam.

This contraption doesn't even work well with espresso. The guy is using edible brown ink because espresso just doesn't provide enough contrast when used with this machine!

It's amusing, but that's definitely about all it's good for. Not at all appropriate at a professional establishment.

[shadowfax]

So there's a question, that really relates to automatic machines at coffee in general--even if a machine could make you a perfect godshot every time, with an amazing bit of latté art on it, would you be impressed? I mean, I guess at first, but it seems like there's something about things that are actually difficult to do--for people--that makes them that much more desirable. If I could have a choice between a machine like I just described, and, say, a GS3, I'd take the GS3, because this is my hobby. This is something that I challenge myself with, and if I had the product without the challenge, it wouldn't be fun. It wouldn't taste as good--in my opinion. Who has a hobby of pressing a button and getting a perfect "gourmet" coffee?

[roblumba]

I have a friend who's trying to get 2 extra stops of dynamic range from film. He said the problem with that method is that you need to have the film developed within hours of exposure. I asked him, why are you going through all that hassle. The top of the line professional camera's have amazing sensors with wide dynamic range. He says, it's a hobby. I do it for fun! He explained, no one's really looking at his photo's except himself. It's just for his own enjoyment.

In the end, it's the same with coffee enthusiasts. Most of my friends and family do notice and appreciate the difference in both my photos and in the coffee. But a large part of it is my own enjoyment.

If you are the type that just likes to sit back, push a button and have everything served on a silver platter, then perhaps the ultimate push button automatic machine would be just the ticket. Unfortunately, it loses its personal touch. It's like inviting guests over for dinner and then serving them something you picked up at a local restaurant. Where's the personal touch, expressing something of yourself, where you actually put your time and care into preparing the special treats for the people you care about. There's a point where technology completely removes that character of life and makes events somewhat lifeless. Sure they are technologically fascinating, but lifeless nonetheless, just cold hard metal with soft rubber surfaces and electrons.