What is LAGS and why is it important?

If you're passionate about latte art and want to take your skills to the next level, you've probably already heard of the Latte Art Grading System , better known as LAGS . But what exactly is it, and how does it work?

LAGS is an international certification system designed to progressively assess and recognize mastery of latte art . It is aimed at baristas, enthusiasts, specialty coffee lovers, and anyone who wants to refine their technique and obtain official certification to validate their skill level.

    

How do the levels work?

The system is structured like martial arts belts, with five levels of difficulty , each represented by a color. To advance, you must pass a timed practical exam that evaluates your accuracy, technique, and cleanliness in each pour.

🏳️ White : Basic shapes like heart and tulip.

🟧 Orange : More complex tulips and the first rosettes.

🟩 Green : You start mixing techniques like inverted tulips.

🟥 Red : Requires greater precision, multiple elements and combinations.

⬛ Black : The highest level, with advanced compositions such as aligned rosettas and inverted tulips with a large number of elements.

Who can get certified and what does it include?

The LAGS system is open to anyone passionate about coffee, whether professional or amateur. It's an excellent opportunity for those looking to strengthen their profile in the coffee world, demonstrate their skills to internationally recognized standards, and become part of a global community of certified baristas.

Each certification includes:

• An Official LAGS Certificate with your level achieved, date and official signatures.
• Register your name in the LAGS international database.
• A milk jug in the color corresponding to your level, as a symbol of your achievement.
  
  

Where can you get certified in Ecuador?

You can get certified by experts like Johann Buenaño , a leading figure in the world of specialty coffee. Johann is recognized for his career as a national latte art and brewers cup champion, technical judge of national and international competitions, and for his role as a LAGS instructor and ambassador of Ecuadorian specialty coffee.