San diego: A simple request from a guest for milk tea led Taiwan’s Lin Shao-hsing, also known as Bala, to discover his passion for latte art-a pursuit that earned him the World Latte Art Championship (WLAC) title in the United States earlier this month. The 37-year-old beat competitors from Malaysia, China, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan to win the 2026 WLAC, held in San Diego from April 10 to 12.

According to Focus Taiwan, the championship’s organizers praised Lin’s “pinpoint technique, compelling storytelling, and an impeccably poured cup,” noting that his performance “set a new standard for creativity and technical excellence.” At a press event in Taipei, Lin expressed that winning the long-sought title was a dream come true after finishing third in his previous two attempts. He extended his gratitude to his coach, sponsors, family, and friends for their support.

Recounting his journey as a barista, Lin shared that it began when he worked as a caretaker at a bed and breakfast in Hualien. One day, a gue
st’s request for milk tea led him to struggle with creating milk foam, prompting him to turn to online tutorials where he discovered latte art. Captivated by the craft, Lin practiced on his own, visiting coffee shops to observe and emulate techniques, before entering the profession two years later.

In the 12 years since, Lin has continued to pursue perfection, drawing motivation from positive feedback and seeing others replicate his designs at international competitions. “Latte art has always made me happy and drives me to keep striving for the best,” he said.

Discussing the challenging nature of the world contest, Lin explained that even the preliminary round was difficult, with every contender required to make four lattes in eight minutes. He managed to beat the clock, producing raccoon and French bulldog designs, noting that two of the drinks also had to be made with oat milk, increasing the level of difficulty.

In the final round, competitors were required to produce six cups in 10 minutes, during whic
h Lin presented raccoon, giraffe, and red panda designs. Lin emphasized the importance of time management, aiming to finish about 20 seconds early to allow room for final adjustments. His pre-contest preparations included training at around 9:30 a.m. every day in the four months leading up to the competition, practicing with at least 100 cups daily.

Lin also shared that his latte art designs are mainly animals, inspired by fond childhood memories of visiting the zoo with his family. Animals evoke emotional warmth, and customers are always delighted when he shares his animal-themed latte art.

Now in its 20th edition, the World Latte Art Championship is organized by the Specialty Coffee Association and evaluates baristas on visual presentation, creativity, pattern consistency, contrast, and overall performance, as stated on its official website.