Basic Latte Art Class

90 minutes, one-on-one or with a friend, at Frank's Newtown. Learn to steam silky milk and pour latte art you'll actually be proud of — taught by Hitoshi Araya, our Head Barista and Latte Art Educator.

This is a hands-on session. After a short demonstration the machine is yours: you'll steam the milk, pull the shots and pour the coffee, with Hitoshi beside you correcting technique as you go. Most of the class is you, cup in hand, jug in the other.

What you'll learn

• Milk — why protein and fat behave the way they do, and what actually makes microfoam glossy instead of bubbly
• Espresso — how crema gives you contrast, why a fresh shot pours better, and how roast level changes your canvas
• Steaming — stretching and rolling, the sound to listen for, jug angle and wand position
• Pouring — Heart, Tulip, Rosetta and Swan. We'll focus on the one or two patterns that suit where you're at, so you leave able to repeat them rather than having half-seen four

What's included

• All milk and coffee for the session — you'll pour around a dozen coffees
• A printed take-home booklet covering every technique, step by step
• Before-and-after photos of your pours, sent to you
• A personalised written follow-up from Hitoshi the next morning, with the specific things to work on
• A coffee on us at the end

Who it's for

Anyone who's never poured latte art before, or who can manage a wobbly heart and wants it to be a good one. Home baristas, new café staff, gift recipients and the merely curious are all welcome — no experience needed.

If you can already pour a clean tulip or swan, our Advanced Latte Art Class is the better fit.

The details

• Duration: 90 minutes (private) or 2 hours (shared, two people)
• Where: Frank's Newtown, 5 Riddiford Street — parking at the rear
• When: Afternoons and early evenings, scheduled directly with Hitoshi to suit you
• Class size: One or two people, never more — so you're never waiting for a turn on the machine

How booking works

Purchase here, then Hitoshi will email you within one working day to lock in a date and time, and to ask three quick questions about your experience so he can tailor the session. Your class is valid for 12 months from purchase.

Buying it as a gift? Choose the Gift Voucher option at checkout and we'll send you a voucher to hand over, with the recipient booking their own date.

About your teacher

Hitoshi Araya is Frank's Head Barista and Latte Art Educator. He's competed in latte art competitions in Japan and New Zealand and joined us in Wellington in 2026. He teaches the way he learned — patiently, and with a lot of "try it again, but this time watch the surface."

Mistakes are welcome. That's most of how this works.