Instead of a bear, it kind of looks like an adolescent acne-afflicted coyote. But I did manage to put the ears, eyes and mouth. So, there is that!!

Had bought this during my trip there. This is Coban coffee from the north and central part of Guatemala. Usually grown in high lands, this is much darker and fuller bodied than the previous one (Huehue) I was having.

By comparison, my cappuccino artwork is unbearable!

Opened up one of the two Guatemalan coffee packets I had bought during my trip there in Feb. This is decidedly lighter looking. The beans are light brown and the coffee was a bit on the weaker side.

Panama, Indonesia and now Puerto Rico (US). Had picked up a couple of packets when Sharmila and I were there in Feb. Dark arabica. In a pure Americano, you can detect some nutty flavor and aroma.

You see it? Well, I did not! I told Sharmila that I had again messed up my coffee art this morning. I still struggle to get the kind of foam I want. Today, I switched to manual mode to get better foam.

Anyways, she said – “No, you got a “R” for your name.” It took me a second. I was looking at the foam while her artist’s eyes were able to focus on the “lack of foam” area!!

So, how do you think about the “R” I created? I totally meant it 🙂

Counting all accidental wins in my scorecard!! 🙂 🙂

Encouraged by Stephen Leitner’s birthday gift of “Coffee Art” book, I made my first attempt to create some design on my cappuccino.

Don’t ask me what it is. Just be happy it is not a huge blob 🙂

If you left this book at our door, could you raise your hand?

First, thank you for your birthday gift! That is very generous of you.

Second, thank you for supporting me in my quest to learn another new subject – coffee and coffee making.

But most importantly, as I leafed thru the pages, my first reaction was that I have to learn the art of making those beautiful cappuccino designs and then let you be the judge!

Fascinating book!

Thank you again for your thought and generosity!

Ever since I gifted the coffee maker to Sharmila (admittedly, she has not used it even once other than demand that her Americano be ready by the time she walks down to the main floor every morning), I have been fascinated by learning the art of making cappuccino. That foam making and making art forms with it has been a steep learning curve.

As an aside, why do we call it a steep learning curve? A steep curve means I would learn very quickly, right? It is a slow and long learning curve for me.

The inevitable result is that whenever I order a cappuccino in a coffee shop, I watch the barista make it and ask him/her a lot of questions about their style.

Nobody, but nobody – has beaten this one. I was working from Roam Lenox when one of the staff members – Stacy – made a cup of cappuccino for me. Like every Roam member, Stacy is incredibly friendly. But her talent in making foam art form? I will let you be the judge!!

Someday, when I grow up, I want to be like her!