He may be one of the best in the country at making pretty patterns on the top of your coffee but a Palmerston North barista says it is what is underneath that counts.

Andrew Feldon, who works at Tomato on George St, took second place at the National Latte Art Championship at the weekend.

Mr Feldon has won latte competitions before. However, this was the first in New Zealand  certified by the World Latte Art Championship.

As a certified judge for the World Barista Championships, Mr Feldon is unable to compete in most contests.

Presentation skills are important.

However, Mr Feldon said it was more important to make a good tasting cup of coffee.

‘‘People say ‘he did a pretty fern’ but I would rather make the coffee taste good first.’’ Mr Feldon said.

‘‘If you can do both, it’s great,’’ he said.

He said steaming milk to the texture of ‘‘glossy white paint’’, using very cold milk and making sure the milk was being blended with quality espresso in a small cup were all essential to making a good-looking cup of coffee.

The winner of the national contest will head to South Korea in November to compete at the world championships.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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