What’s better than the first sip of a hot cup of coffee made just the way you like it? Well, maybe if that hot cup of coffee did double duty as fine art, you’d enjoy it even more. It’s hard to tell just how long baristas have been creating tiny works of art in coffee cups; latte art has been around in the U.S. for at least two decades, since coffee houses in Seattle began pouring simple patterns into the foam portions of their drinks. Since then it’s evolved into an international obsession, including classes, competitions, online galleries, and coffee houses that promise a work of art with every drink.

(images via: Journeys Coffee, Tonx, DavidR, Matt Harding, Mimi Lees)

Hearts were one of the first latte art designs to become popular, and they remain one of the most commonly-seen designs today. By preparing both the espresso and the milk foam just right, baristas can masterfully move the milk pitcher while pouring the milk into the coffee, thus creating these remarkable, if completely temporary, designs.

(images via: Nicely, RayJay, Lindsay, Art in my Coffee, PoYang, Ellen)

Rosettes or rosettas, the lovely leafy designs above, are another long-standing latte art favorite. The man credited with bringing latte art to the U.S. is David Schomer, coffee industry leader (sometimes called a “coffee prophet”) and owner of Seattle coffee shop Vivace Espresso. He saw a photograph of a rosette pattern made in an Italian coffee shop and recreated it in his own shop, thus securing the rosette’s position in latte art history.

(images via: Art in my Coffee 1, 2, 3, 4)

When Schomer and his employees started making shapes in their customers’ coffee drinks, they were often asked if it was intentional. It’s easy to imagine that a heart could be a happy accident, but since then baristas have moved on to creating much more complex shapes and patterns. Creating a memorable piece of latte art is all about the interplay between the milk foam and the “crema” of the espresso.

(images via: Nalundgaard, Art in my Coffee 1, 2, 3, 4, Chris Blakely)

Mastering latte art is even more difficult than most people imagine. There are so many elements that go into making an impressive cup of art that it’s hard to get them all down perfectly. Along getting with the temperatures, textures and colors of the coffee and milk just right, the barista has to practice extensively to be able to predict how the art will come out. After mastering the simple patterns and shapes, he or she can move on to the more complicated designs.

(images via: QuinnCombibos, LivAtlantis, Kuba Bozanowski, INeedCoffee/CoffeeHero 1, 2, 3)

Another factor that coffee art baristas have to overcome is the medium itself. Foam only stays stable in hot coffee for a short amount of time, so the art must be created quickly. But there’s little room for error since the foam is unforgiving and there’s no way to erase a mistake. Certainly not the least of all worries is the thirsty customer who just can’t wait to get their hands on that mug of steaming deliciousness.

(images via: Sarah0s, Bianca Smith, Po Yang, K Robison, Spamanella)

Some latte art uses only the arm movements of the barista to create shapes in the milk foam: this technique is called free pouring. But there are plenty of other ways to create art in a cup. A technique called etching involves using a stirrer to manipulate the coffee and foam to create defined edges and shapes. Some baristas use chocolate or caramel syrup to write or draw on top of the foam. And from time to time, you might see a design in cinnamon or chocolate sprinkles laid on top of the foam with the help of a stencil.

(images via: Tonx, Chris Blakely 1, 2, wsh1266, CoffeeShopChat, INeedCoffee/CoffeeHero)

Some coffee shops have made names for themselves by including stunning latte art with every order. Customers come in for their creative handiwork as much as they do for the coffee. Latte art is such serious business for these shops that every barista is required to attend lessons on making the designs and patterns, and they are encouraged to develop their own signature style to wow customers.

(images via: Chris Blakely, Bread Mouth, mmmsedap, wsh1266, coaxeus, Chris Blakely)

In the hands of a capable coffee artist, just about any kind of design is possible. It can take years of practice to get good enough to create original designs, but many baristas are so passionate about coffee that they don’t mind putting in the time to learn. These amazing coffee designs can be seen in coffee shops all around the world, from Seattle to Tokyo and everywhere in between.

(images via: Chris Blakely, Art in my Coffee 1, 2, 3, IndieKid, zpeckler)

Of course, with the rise in popularity of latte art have come the inevitable downers: the people who say baristas are spending too much time on the art and not focusing enough attention on the coffee. Making fabulous coffee is, of course, an art of its own – so is it too much to ask that coffee shops serve a delicious cup of coffee that’s also beautiful? According to the many coffee shop aficionados out there, it seems that there are plenty of places to find a cup of coffee that satisfies both your taste for divine coffee and your taste for unique temporary art.

Soda is probably too much a part of our daily diet – it helps us wake up when the day starts dragging, it spices up a night out at your favorite restaurant, and helps teenagers fuel all night video game sessions. Almost all soda consumption involves a few brands, mostly Pepsi and Coke, but there are other creative options out there. Sometimes the big boys like to mix things up as well. Here are 9 overlooked soda flavors and styles that would liven up anyone’s day:

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There are a lot of soda flavors that are either seasonal, or popular in other countries, that are favored by only a small niche in the gigantic worldwide soda market. Pictured above are drinks flavored like apples, celery, curry, coconut, turkey and gravy, and even tomato. These drinks would be interesting to sample, but I have a feeling I’d have trouble finishing them.

(Images via gunaxin, three steps over japan, 248am, theinspirationroom)

Most soda cans are dull, relying only on branding and customer loyalty to get you to buy. There are always exceptions, however, from limited edition examples of the most famous brands mixing it up, to attempts to launch new sodas with a distinctive style and philosophy. Artwork and design can go a long way in making a soda stand out from the crowd, yet the sodas that tend to win in the end, rely on taste for the long haul.

(Images via sereneonion, weirdsodareview, popsucker)

The soda war has basically been settled in America, so the colorful packaging and flamboyant mascots of independent soda companies have made way for the classic swirls and logos of our favorite brands. There are some companies that step out and attempt to cash in on popular cultural events (like the television show Tru Blood), but for the most part, small companies struggle to find a niche. In other countries small companies get a lot more creative, adding bright and flashy artwork and cartoon stills, and coming up with wild flavors that become cult favorites to a small group of consumers.

(Images via hardwaresphere, lighting-china-supplier, desktopped, inventorspot)

It may not seem like soda dispensing has improved much over the years, considering it still simply involves fancy ways of mixing syrup with soda water, but there have been quite a few stunning improvements, and wacky modifications. Several different ways to easily pour soda from 2 liter bottles have emerged, which promise to keep your soda from going flat, while also preventing spills. Refrigerator can dispensers (and this computer desktop mod) are examples of simple changes that have made soda storage a lot easier.

(Images via christyleezilka, antiquetrader)

Vintage branding and artwork is typically seen as having a classic feel… more reliant on aesthetics and good looking package that has an artistic feel rather than the slick corporate feel of today’s beverage packaging. While this might be true for the most part, the past still had their ugly soda cans. Here are two of the most offensive examples.

(Images via benseary, members)

On the other hand, sometimes soda manufacturers do get it right, with the creation of classically simple glass bottles that look elegant and interesting. There is an increasingly large interest in glass bottle collections, especially with art deco styling.

(Images via jem, curiositieschamber, kidestore, toxel)

Soda cans are in a state of transition, with every company eager to lend a technological spin to their sales… promising better can insulation for temperature control, or making the images on the can change color depending on temperature. There are even ways for kids to turn one of our most mundane by products into a mini science experiment, and some entrepreneurs are about to come out with a new can that’s resealable.

(Images via smilingonthego, mirror)

For every soda flavor there’s a different marketing strategy, but relying on people’s nostalgia for old style soda, and relying on humor, have always been favorites. People love to know they’re drinking a soda that’s outlasted countless others, and that their great grandparents may have tried. There’s also a lot of selling power in the novelty of witty packaging, as people like to give something funny a shot.

(Images via schadenfreude, smurfwreck, bevreview, zandland)

One niche in the drink market that I’ve thankfully avoided, is sodas flavored like popular candies. From life savers to candy corn, sometimes candy should just stick with being candy. Loaded with sugar and artificial flavoring, giving a cup of this stuff to anyone under the age of 10 would result in a week of hyperactivity.

What would we do without coffee and tea? The well-loved beverages are the focal point of social gatherings, the relaxing refreshments of work breaks everywhere, and the only way to start the day for countless people around the world. Could these indispensable beverages be made even better with some crazily creative packaging?

Beautiful Brews

(images via: The Dieline 1, 2)

Tea has been said to cleanse the mind, body and spirit. Besides being delicious and relaxing, some types of teas can even help certain medical conditions. But more than anything else, drinking tea is a time-honored tradition in many parts of the world. Of course, brewing tea the old-fashioned way – with leaves, not bags – is best, but that’s not always practical. When you need a more convenient way to prepare this elixir of the soul, these products can help. The product on top is Temae, a tea bag with a built-in timer. As the attached tea bag sits in the water, tea creeps up the string and onto the tag, which sits across the cup’s opening and relays when it’s ready to drink. Below that is the iTea Wand from Sugart; unlike tea bags which can trap some of the tea’s flavor, the thin metal wand lets all of the natural flavors flow into the water.

The Difference is in the Bag

(images via: Russian Creators, Arghyle, The Dieline)

The humble tea bag is a handy, if somewhat utilitarian, way to brew our favorite teas. But two designers have taken steps to make it just a little more pleasant. Natalia Ponomareva came up with the origami-inspired design on the left, which would give tea drinkers something to smile about as their brew is reaching perfection…as long as they have clear tea cups, that is. On the right is Ineeka’s unique take on the tea bag: paper arms extend from the sides of the pre-filled bag to hold it in place on the cup, eliminating the need to fish the bag out with a spoon when you’re ready to drink. The design on the bottom is from Peter Hewitt; it features a pyramidal tea bag with a realistic-looking leaf that pokes up out of your cup to remind you to be cheery while your beverage reaches perfection.

Stirring Something Up

(images via: Yanko Design, Peter D’Alessandro, Jeeyun Chung)

If you really want to stir up interest in a brand of tea, making the bag into a stirring device is a great way to get attention. Not everyone makes tea while sitting at home and relaxing; some people like to enjoy a nice cuppa even when out working or camping. That’s the idea behind these designs, which brew while they stir in the desired additions. One lump or two?

Hanging Around

(images via: Lovely Package, Below the Clouds, directdaily)

Of course, if you’re going to have a go at redesigning the time-tested design of the tea bag, you might as well have some fun with the attached tag. Far from simply displaying the brand and flavor of tea, these tags go the extra mile to entertain you. The Hanger Tea concept hangs adorably in its little wardrobe until you’re ready for a drink, then it suspends your tea bag from the side of the cup. And whether you attach little floating origami boats or adventurous miniature people to your tea bag string, a unique design adds an element of whimsy to a cup of tea.

Multiple Personalities

(images via: wdaru)

Adding a bit of personality to your tea couldn’t hurt. WDARU designed these hilarious tea bags, each of which features a person sporting a different persona. They come packaged in unique gift boxes, like the swimming pool or school bus packages above.

Just Beau-Tea-Ful

(images via: Lovely Package, Lovely Package, Packaging of the World)

If the packaging should enhance the product, then there are infinite design choices out there for tea packages. These designs are full of life and embody the beauty of drinking tea. Before you scoff at the idea that drinking tea is beautiful, consider the fact that in many parts of the world, drinking tea is an essential and everyday part of life – why not celebrate its place in global culture?

Jumpin’ Java!

(images via: Packaging of the World and Packaging Uqam)

When you do the good deed of making a coffee run for your office mates, one of the biggest hassles is getting it just the way everyone wants it. Rather than shoving a handful of creamers and sugars into your pocket and risking a messy spill, these cool products would let you carry coffee fixin’s right on the cup.

(images via: PotW, PotW, PotW and Lovely Package)

With so many to-go coffee choices out there, chains and local shops alike have to make themselves distinctive in some way. One of the most noticeable and memorable ways to pull that off it to have awesome, unforgettable packaging. Clockwise from top left, these creative to-go cups are found at Brooklyn Fare, Kaffe, Coffee Time and Brew Nerds.

(images via: Waldo Pancake)

UK coffee chain Puccino’s wanted to stand out in customers’ minds, so they enlisted the services of Waldo Pancake to design these irreverent and totally lovable cups. Waldo Pancake designed an entire corporate identity for Puccino’s, from the packaging to the funny signs in the shops – and customers love it.

Home Brews

(images via: Lovely Package, Lovely Package and Abstract Concept)

Of course, not everyone gets their coffee on the go. For those who prefer to brew it at home, these unique packages are far more interesting than the tin cans or plastic bags most of us purchase our black gold in. From retro cool to roller-derby tough to coolly modern, these take-home packs deserve to be proudly displayed on the countertop.

Did You Inhale?

(image via: Le Whif)

If you’re looking for a coffee experience that is worlds away from any other, nothing beats inhalable coffee. Le Whif, which has been selling inhalable chocolate for quite some time, recently introduced a breathable coffee shot. It’s said to have as much caffeine as a small cup of espresso, but instead of sipping it leisurely you simply put it into your mouth and breathe in the flavor and the kick.