Embracing all rivers and pursuing exquisite craftsmanship represent the unique cultural temperament of Shanghai. To further advance the “Appointment with Shanghai” series of activities, enrich campus cultural life, implement labor education and aesthetic education, and guide young students to stay grounded and dedicated amid impetuosity, the College of Marine Science and Engineering organized a themed practical activity entitled “Savor Coffee Culture, Refine Ingenious Craftsmanship: Coffee Culture Appreciation and Latte Art Experience” on May 26. The activity offered teachers and students an immersive encounter with Shanghai-style coffee culture, helping them understand urban ingenuity and cultivate a peaceful mind through hands-on craftsmanship practice.
As a classic carrier of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, coffee serves as a distinctive symbol of Shanghai’s urban temperament. Over the past century, coffee culture has blended into the daily life and urban elegance of Shanghai. From traditional Shanghai-style afternoon tea customs to featured cafes across the city, the mellow coffee aroma witnesses the city’s openness, inclusiveness, preciseness and truth-seeking spirit, highlighting its delicate texture and calm demeanor amid rapid urban development.
At the event, the instructor systematically sorted out the development context of Shanghai-style coffee culture and interpreted the humanistic spirit behind it. Beyond technical skills, the lecture helped students perceive the delicacy, persistence and ingenuity embodied in a cup of coffee, enabling them to gain a vivid and in-depth understanding of the diverse and inclusive traits of Shanghai culture.
In the practical session, a professional barista gave on-site demonstrations and teaching, elaborating on core techniques including coffee bean extraction, milk foam whipping, gesture control and flow rate adjustment, and guiding students through the whole coffee-making process hand in hand. From precise powder taking and tamping, espresso extraction and fine milk foam whipping to careful pattern outlining and creative latte art, students concentrated on polishing every detail. Faced with problems such as uneven milk foam and unstable lines, they adjusted their gestures repeatedly, explored rhythms patiently, and improved their skills through continuous attempts and revisions.
The dedication to polishing every detail with hands vividly embodies the spirit of Shanghai — pursuing excellence in the fast-paced era and making steady progress through persistent refinement.
As an important part of the college’s “Appointment with Shanghai” cultural experience series, this activity serves as an immersive practical class integrating labor education, aesthetic cultivation and cultural education. Centered on coffee culture experience, it allows students to closely feel the unique charm of Shanghai-style culture, temper their mind and cultivate ingenuity through hands-on practice, and deeply understand the essence that fine work comes from patience and steady progress leads to far-reaching achievements.
Savoring Shanghai’s charm through coffee aroma, youth embraces the future with ingenuity. The activity enabled students to appreciate the beauty of culture and cultivate concentration in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. In the future, students from the College of Marine Science and Engineering will integrate the rigorous attitude and persistent spirit gained from this practice into their academic study and personal growth. They will devote themselves to research with steadfast dedication, uphold original aspirations with ingenuity, and forge ahead with solid efforts to strive for excellence on the track of youth.Written by: Wang Dejingyi, Gao Rui Photographed by: Zuo Wenliang
Figure 1: Latte Art Making
Figure 2: Latte Art Making
Figure 3: Group Photo of the Activity