How latte art is graded in certifications and competitions?

Latte art is more than just a decorative element in coffee; it’s a skill that combines artistry and precision, highly valued in the specialty coffee industry. 

From hearts to tulips and intricate rosettas, latte art requires a deep understanding of milk frothing, pouring techniques, and a steady hand. But how is latte art graded? And what does it take to achieve a high latte art score? These are essential questions for baristas and coffee enthusiasts alike who aim to master this craft at a professional level.

In recent years, structured certifications and competitions have become central to the way latte art is judged worldwide. Programs like the Latte Art Grading System (LAGS), Italian Barista Certificate (IBC), and the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) provide specific guidelines for improving and assessing latte art skills, setting standardized criteria for evaluating patterns and techniques.

At Espresso Academy, one of the world’s leading coffee schools, baristas can deepen their understanding of these standards and refine their craft. As an official center for LAGS and IBC certifications, Espresso Academy offers expert-led latte art courses that help baristas achieve high grades in latte art and understand the latte art score system. Through experienced instruction, students at Espresso Academy learn how latte art is graded at professional levels, preparing them for success in competitions and certifications.

Latte Art Grading System (LAGS) certifications

The Latte Art Grading System (LAGS) is a widely recognized certification framework that provides baristas with a structured pathway to refine and validate their latte art skills. Designed for both beginners and advanced baristas, LAGS guides participants in developing proficiency in creating beautiful, precise latte art designs and mastering increasingly complex techniques.

LAGS certification employs a color-coded grading system that ranges from White to Gold, similar to martial arts belts, with each level introducing more intricate designs and advanced techniques. LAGS-certified examiners evaluate latte art patterns based on criteria like symmetry, contrast, foam texture, and clarity.

In the LAGS certification, the Symmetry Wheel is a key tool used by examiners to assess the balance and alignment of latte art patterns. This wheel helps judges precisely evaluate the symmetry of designs like hearts, tulips, and rosettas, ensuring that each side mirrors the other in shape and proportion. By placing the cup on the Symmetry Wheel, examiners can clearly observe if the pour maintains consistent angles and spacing, allowing for an objective, accurate assessment of the barista’s control and technique.

Espresso Academy, an official LAGS certification center, offers comprehensive latte art courses to help baristas progress through each grade, equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to earn high scores. With dedicated training and practice, students learn how latte art is judged at each level, from basic designs like hearts to multi-layered patterns required at the Black and Gold levels.

Italian Barista Certificate (IBC) latte art certifications

In addition to the LAGS system, baristas can pursue certification through the Italian Barista Certificate (IBC), a program aligned with Italy’s esteemed coffee culture. The IBC Latte Art Certification focuses on essential latte art skills and techniques, emphasizing a structured curriculum that meets Italian standards for espresso and milk-based beverages. This certification covers practical skills, from milk frothing fundamentals to complex, multi-layered designs.

Similar to LAGS, the IBC certification evaluates latte art on criteria such as symmetry, clarity, contrast, and foam texture. Baristas receive a latte art score based on these standards, with feedback designed to help them refine their skills. Espresso Academy offers IBC certification courses, enabling baristas to gain the technical skills and confidence needed to excel and understand how latte art is graded in the IBC system.

Latte art competitions: World Latte Art Grading Battles

The World Latte Art Grading Battles provide an exciting competition format aligned with the Latte Art Grading System (LAGS), allowing baristas to test their skills on a global stage. Organized according to the same color-coded levels as LAGS certifications—Green, Red, Black, and Gold—these battles challenge participants to achieve precision, creativity, and technical mastery. Baristas progress through the ranks by showcasing increasingly complex patterns, including hearts, tulips, and rosettas.

Competitors advance from regional to national to world levels, with the most recent world competition held in Trieste for Triestespresso. Espresso Academy played a key role in supporting these events, hosting a LAGS semifinal in Florence that provided an official platform for baristas to showcase their skills.

Rules and structure of the LAGS Battle

The LAGS Battle is open exclusively to baristas with Green, Red, or Black LAGS certification levels. Competitors are grouped by certification, competing only against others at the same level. Each match lasts 10 minutes or until three patterns are completed. Contestants must bring their milk pitchers and follow strict guidelines: no etching tools are allowed, and only one milk frothing is permitted per pattern.

At the start of each match, competitors roll a die to determine who issues the first challenge. The selected barista choos a latte art pattern (from their certification level) and a cup size, and both competitors attempted the design. Completed cups are placed on a grading wheel opposite the judge, who evaluates each based on criteria such as symmetry, sharpness, and foam texture.

Winners advance through the bracket, with a tiebreaker round held if needed. Black-level participants may attempt Gold-level patterns, though Gold certification is only awarded in the world final.

The LAGS Battle is organized to create a lively competition atmosphere in a dedicated “Arena” with a central judging area, video display, and sound system, making it a dynamic experience for both competitors and audience members.

Rules and scoring in the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC)

The World Latte Art Championship (WLAC), organized by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), represents the pinnacle of global latte art competitions. This prestigious event attracts top baristas from around the world to compete in multiple rounds that test their technical skill, creativity, and consistency. How is latte art graded at the WLAC? Each design is meticulously evaluated by a panel of certified judges using a detailed scoring system that assesses precision, consistency, and aesthetic quality.

The WLAC’s competition format includes three main rounds: Preliminary, Semi-Finals, and Finals. In each round, baristas must create several sets of patterns across categories, including free-pour lattes, free-pour macchiatos, and designer lattes. The scoring criteria focus on:

• Symmetry: A perfectly balanced design where both sides of the pattern mirror each other.
• Contrast: Sharp, well-defined edges that showcase control over milk frothing and pouring techniques.
• Color Balance: Harmony in color blending within the cup, with smooth, glossy foam and even distribution.
• Consistency: The ability to replicate the same pattern across multiple cups with precision.
• Overall Impression: Creativity, complexity, and artistic impact, rewarding unique designs that push the boundaries of traditional latte art.

Each drink is judged individually, with penalties for any technical errors, such as uneven pours or blurred edges. Espresso Academy offers specialized courses to prepare baristas for the rigorous standards of WLAC, equipping them with advanced milk frothing techniques, free-pouring precision, and pattern replication skills needed to excel on the WLAC stage.

Conclusion: perfecting latte art skills with Espresso Academy

Mastering latte art requires a solid understanding of grading criteria and a commitment to refining advanced techniques. Knowing how latte art is graded—from symmetry and contrast to consistency and creative presentation—gives baristas an edge, whether aiming for LAGS certification, competing in World Latte Art Grading Battles, or striving for recognition at the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC).

Espresso Academy’s latte art courses provide the guidance and hands-on practice needed to excel in these certifications and competitions. Covering all skill levels—from foundational designs to intricate, multi-layered patterns—Espresso Academy helps baristas build expertise and confidence. With these courses, every participant learns the techniques and nuances needed to achieve a high latte art score.

Ready to take your latte art to the next level? Explore the world-class training at Espresso Academy and begin your journey to latte art mastery.