Fresh as I am I'm looking for the right way to quickly draw figures or characters on frothed milk (I even don't know the terminology for it). I'm not talking these massive "paintings" crossing the entire cup but - to start with - simple ones, like a heart for my little loved one

I've tried using various material, wood, matchsticks, needles but it doesn't work very well. Since there's a saying that a good technique always starts with the right tools: what's the best "equipment" for this exercise?

(maybe same topic is around already but since I don't know the terminology I won't find it.....)

Hi,

Try searching the forums for 'latte art' - there are plenty of guides and tips for how to do this, but you need good quality microfoam to start with. There's a good how-to guide for that here (coffeegeek guide). Have a look through YouTube's archives there are plenty of examples of how to do rosettas (e.g. here) and hearts.

If you want to literally draw on the drink, then take a look at this video where the guy takes a brush (and what looks like a screwdriver at one point ) and etches into the milk foam with the crema off the espresso:



Entertaining and impressive stuff, it's nice to see something different to the ubiquitous rosetta.

What you are referring to is simply called etching. Where latte art is strictly poured, etching uses something to scribe onto the microfoam. I have used the end of a steaming thermometer. What the artist is using looks like a scribing awl.