Nowadays, having a latte coffee on hand anywhere is quite trendy and leisurely, at least much more fashionable than having a cup of tea.

If you have the leisure and the inclination, to sit in a café to enjoy it, many baristas will even provide special service by creating latte art. With a deft hand, they can effortlessly create a swan or a rose with just a few shakes, adding more fun to the coffee-drinking experience.

Latte art is mainly created on espresso-based drinks with added frothed milk, especially on lattes or cappuccinos. There are two main techniques: one involves pouring frothed milk into the coffee, using subtle wrist movements to control the speed and angle of the pour, creating intricate designs on the surface; the other technique involves pouring already frothed milk and then adding caramel or chocolate sauce on top, which is then manipulated with sharp tools to create patterns.

Latte art is primarily associated with espresso machines, so it naturally flourished alongside Italian espresso culture, making it a product of the 20th century. However, don't think that latte art is a recent phenomenon in beverage culture. It dates back to the early Northern Song Dynasty, around the 10th century AD, a full millennium ago. Of course, back then, it wasn't made with coffee but with tea.

In the Song Dynasty, tea culture thrived, from the imperial court to the grassroots level. Tea ceremonies became a form of ritual, with tea being offered as a means for emperors to win over ministers and show affection to relatives, and even as gifts to foreign envoys. At the grassroots level, tea culture was lively, with tea competitions and a range of tea-related activities.

Pouring tea wasn't just about aesthetics; it also enhanced the flavor of the tea. Tea foam, in particular, was prized, as it contained the essence of the tea. When sipping tea, as the bubbles burst in the mouth, the aroma and flavor of the tea would burst forth, providing a delightful and dynamic experience.

The introduction of tea pouring added an element of theater to the tea-making process, enhancing the visual appeal of tea drinking. The process of "pouring tea" emphasized the importance of "boiling water, not boiling tea." After heating water to around 90 degrees Celsius, finely ground tea powder and a small amount of boiling water were added to pre-warmed tea bowls, creating a thick paste-like tea mixture.

Then, more hot water was slowly added while the tea was whisked or stirred in a circular motion with a tea whisk or spoon, a technique known as "whisking." The foam would form on the surface of the tea, and the distribution of foam determined the quality of the tea.

"Tea Painting" or "Water Ink Painting in Tea" integrated tea art with ink painting techniques, creating lifelike images with just a few strokes. Many people confuse tea painting with coffee latte art, but unlike latte art, which involves layering milk on top of coffee to create designs, tea painting relies solely on water to create patterns that appear and disappear with the addition of water and stirring.

The flourishing culture of the Song Dynasty nurtured a tea culture that captivated society. Today, a millennium later, people still follow in the footsteps of the Song Dynasty, exploring the beauty of tea culture through each cup and vessel.