Learn latte art.
One pour at a time.
Crema is a free interactive 3D latte art studio with five guided patterns: heart, tulip, rosetta, nested heart and clover. Use this written guide to follow each step, then watch the pitcher from different angles in the studio.
Start with the heart to practice the foundation, then try stacking petals, rocking leaves and placing separate pours. No account is needed.
Before you pour
Set up your canvas
Use fresh espresso in a wide, rounded cup. Give it a gentle swirl for an even crema. A 200–250 ml cup and a 350 ml pitcher are a practical starting setup.
Make silky microfoam
Start with cold milk. Add a little air, then keep the milk circulating to integrate the bubbles. Aim for glossy, fluid milk with no dry foam cap. Swirl and pour promptly.
Hold, tilt, level
Tilt the cup toward your pitcher to reach the surface. As the drink fills, gradually bring the cup level. Keep the spout aligned with the center of your design.
Let height do the work
A higher, narrow stream blends into espresso. A spout within 1 cm of the surface lets white foam spread. Lift and thin the stream to finish your design.
How to pour heart latte art
The first pour to fall in love with. Learn the foundation of every great pattern.
Build your canvas
Tilt the cup toward the pitcher. Pour a fine stream into the center from about 7 cm up, until the cup is roughly half full.
~7 cm above · Gentle flow
Get close to the surface
Lower the spout to just above the coffee. Let a little more milk flow until a white circle appears.
Under 1 cm · Increase flow
Let the heart grow
Stay in one spot. Allow the white pool to spread and gently level the cup as it fills.
Under 1 cm · Steady flow
Lift, then draw through
Lift the spout and thin the stream. Move forward through the middle to pull the circle into a pointed heart, then stop.
Lift the spout · Thin stream
Practice tip: Keep your pitcher still while the white circle grows. Save the forward movement for the finish.
Watch the heart pour in 3DHow to pour tulip latte art
A flower, built one petal at a time. Learn to pause, push, and stack your pours.
Build your canvas
Start with the same high, fine stream as the heart. Blend the milk into the espresso before drawing.
~7 cm above · Gentle flow
Pour the first petal
Bring the spout close. Form a small white pool, then stop the flow.
Under 1 cm · Pour, then pause
Push and stack
Move back slightly and pour again, nudging the earlier layer forward. Pause and repeat to build the flower.
Stay close · Short pulses
Connect the petals
Lift the pitcher. Draw a narrow stream through the center of all the layers and stop at the far end.
Lift the spout · Thin stream
Practice tip: Stop the flow between layers. Those small pauses keep your petals distinct.
Watch the tulip pour in 3DHow to pour rosetta latte art
Find the rhythm in your wrist. A delicate fern made with one flowing movement.
Build your canvas
Pour high to blend the base. Tilt the cup toward the pitcher so the spout can reach the surface.
~7 cm above · Gentle flow
Set the base of the fern
Lower the spout and increase the flow. Begin a small, gentle side-to-side rocking motion.
Under 1 cm · Increase flow
Rock and move back
Keep rocking while slowly retreating toward your side of the cup. Narrow the movement as the leaves get smaller.
Stay close · Continuous flow
Draw the stem
Stop rocking. Lift and reduce the stream, then travel straight through the leaves to form the stem.
Lift the spout · Thin stream
Practice tip: Rock gently from side to side. A wide, hurried shake creates a zigzag instead of soft leaves.
Watch the rosetta pour in 3DHow to pour nested heart latte art
A little heart held inside a larger one. Practice two pours with a delicate border of crema between them.
Build your canvas
Start with a high, fine stream into the center of a tilted cup. Blend the milk into the espresso before you begin drawing.
~7 cm above · Gentle flow
Grow the outer pool
Lower the spout and hold it still. Let a broad white pool spread across the surface, leaving a coffee-colored border around the cup.
Under 1 cm · Steady flow
Nest the second pour
Stop the flow, lift slightly and move a little closer to your side of the cup. Lower again and pour a smaller pool inside the first, keeping a fine crema outline between them.
Lift, then get low · Pause, then pour
Draw through both hearts
Lift and thin the stream. Move through the center of both pools in one controlled stroke to give the two hearts their points.
Lift the spout · Thin stream
Practice tip: Stop the first pour cleanly. Return gently to the near side so the second pool sits inside the first.
Watch the nested heart pour in 3DHow to pour clover latte art
Three small hearts become a lucky clover. Learn to place separate pours and direct their points toward the center.
Prepare your canvas
Blend a high, fine stream into the espresso. Keep the surface even and leave room for three small heart-shaped leaves.
~7 cm above · Gentle flow
Place the left leaf
Pour a small pool on the left. Lift and cut sideways toward the center to make a heart with its point facing inward. Stop the flow.
Low, then lift · Pool, cut, stop
Mirror the right leaf
Move to the right with the flow closed. Lower the spout, make a matching pool, then lift and draw toward the same central point.
Low, then lift · Pool, cut, stop
Add the top leaf
Reposition above the first two leaves. Pour one more small pool, lift and cut toward the center to complete the three-leaf shape.
Low, then lift · Pool, cut, stop
Finish with a stem
Return to the meeting point with the flow closed. Pour a narrow stream while moving toward your side of the cup, curving gently to form a short stem.
Close, then lift · Narrow stream
Practice tip: Close the flow before crossing to the next petal. Leave a little space between the rounded leaves so each one reads clearly.
Watch the clover pour in 3DCommon latte art questions
Which latte art pattern should I learn first?
Start with the heart. It introduces the shared foundation: pour high to blend the base, lower the spout to draw a white circle, then lift and draw a thin stream through the center. Move on to the tulip to practice separate pours and the rosetta to practice rocking.
Why does my milk sink without making a white pattern?
Lower the spout closer to the surface and check your milk texture. A high, narrow stream blends into the espresso; glossy microfoam poured close to the surface can spread into a white pattern.
Why does my latte art look like a thick white blob?
Use less air when steaming and keep the milk moving. Aim for glossy, fluid microfoam rather than a dry foam cap. Swirl the pitcher and pour promptly.
How do I make a sharp point on a heart?
Lift the spout and reduce the flow before drawing through the white circle. Use a narrow stream for the finishing line.
Is Crema free, and do I need an account?
Crema is free to use and requires no account. Open the studio in your browser, choose a pattern, and press Start tutorial. The written guide works without JavaScript; the interactive studio needs JavaScript and WebGL.
Are the animation timings real pouring times?
The 26–42 second guided pours are paced for learning. Crema illustrates pitcher technique and foam patterns; it does not simulate fluid dynamics. Real pouring time and results depend on milk texture, cup angle and practice.
About these lessons
Crema demonstrates pitcher technique with guided 3D animation and illustrated foam patterns. It is not a fluid dynamics simulation. Animation timing is for learning; actual milk flow varies with texture, cup angle and practice.
These lesson explanations are original summaries informed by the technique references below. Crema is not affiliated with these educators.