Barista creates the cutest 3D latte art of famous characters

Daphne Tan is not your average latte artist. What sets her apart from other baristas, is that her work is 3D.

Tan first started generating attention when she was just 17 years old in 2017. At the time she was a barista at a Singapore café just posting her creations on her Instagram

Armed with a Nespresso milk frother, natural food dye and carob powder, Tan sculpted milky foam into familiar characters as a hobby. Two viral fan favorites are her chubby cat emerging from a latte and Pikachu bathing in an espresso shot.

View this post on Instagram

Mid-week mood?

A post shared by Daphne Tan (@periperipeng) on

“I would say the secret is patience, in handling the foam and making sure that you have steady hands when you draw the details,” Tan told SWNS

She came up with her unique process while taking a class on gourmet coffee. 

“I was experimenting with a French press and found a method to create stable foam to make 3D art on top of my cups,” Tan told SWNS. “I was curious about how foam was created for lattes and cappuccinos and searched online for ways to do it at home. Through my research, I discovered 3D latte art.”

Tan uses a bamboo skewer and two spoons to shape the milk froth. Each latte sculpture takes around 10 to 20 minutes. 

In recent years, she has expanded her repertoire of creations to include 2D portraits of faces like Bob Ross and Wonder Woman. But you can still expect 3D designs like Captain America and Jack Skellington nestled in warm cups of joe. 

View this post on Instagram

I apologise for decapitating Jack Skellington

A post shared by Daphne Tan (@periperipeng) on

“My hope is that I’ll be able to pursue my passions in future, which includes doing latte art but could also be in other areas that I may discover,” Tan told SWNS.

Enjoy reading this article? Check out how this Japanese artist creates tiny, intricate scenes out of leaves.

More from In The Know:

Mexican artists join forces for TikTok’s “pass the brush” challenge

This 5-star serum promises long, full eyelashes

Get $100 worth of beauty products for only $25 every month

Celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo launches skincare for tattoo newbies

Listen to the latest episode of our pop culture podcast, We Should Talk: