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A latte coffee in a cup
COFFEE TYPES

What is a Latte?

The iconic latte is a beverage that’s loved in coffee shops all over the world. The subtle coffee taste and creamy flavouring makes it a coffee that’s universally cherished by even the most casual of coffee drinkers. With that being said, many don’t actually know what a latte is, the drink’s origin or the difference between a latte and a cappuccino. Keep reading to find out all you need to know…

What is a latte?

A latte or caffè latte is a milk coffee that boasts a silky layer of foam as a real highlight to the drink. A true latte will be made up of one or two shots of espresso, steamed milk and a final, thin layer of frothed milk on top. These elements combined result in a balanced milky coffee that possesses an aesthetically pleasing look and a smooth texture.

An illustration of what a latte consists of

What a latte is made of

A latte or caffè latte is a milk coffee that is a made up of one or two shots of espresso, steamed milk and a final, thin layer of frothed milk on top. If you don't drink dairy milk, you can easily swap it for a plant-based alternative like soy, oat or coconut milk.

Drawing of americano coffee ingredients in a cup

What an americano is made of

An americano is just water and espresso. It’ll either be served 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/3 espresso to 2/3 water, depending on the coffee shop in question or how you’ve chosen to brew it.

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An illustration of what an espresso consists of

What an espresso is made of

Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee, served in shots and it’s often the coffee base of many other beverages, such as cappuccino, latte, americano and macchiato.

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An illustration of what a cortado consists of

What a cortado is made of

Cortado translates to cut, meaning that the coffee is cut with milk. Unlike other coffee types the milk isn’t texturised and instead, a cortado is made with lightly steamed milk without froth or foam.

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Drawing of mocha coffee ingredients in a cup

What a mocha is made of

Although a mocha is often interpreted differently across the world, the basis is that a shot of espresso is combined with a chocolate powder or syrup, followed by milk or cream. It is a variant of a latte, in the sense that it is often 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk. However, a chocolate flavour is added, and this can be milk or dark.

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An illustration of what a macchiato consists of

What a macchiato is made of

The macchiato is an espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk to allow the taste of the espresso to still shine through. A macchiato is perfect for those who find espresso too harsh in flavour, but a cappuccino too weak.

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What a flat white is made of

What a flat white is made of

A flat white is a blend of micro-foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso. This microfoam is steamed milk infused with air, which creates tiny air bubbles, to create a smooth and velvety texture and creamy taste.

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Latte origins

The origins of the latte aren’t very clear as people have been combining coffee and milk for centuries. However, the silky beverage that we know and love today is thought to originate in America, hitting the peak of popularity in Seattle during the 80’s.

Differences between a latte and cappuccino

Despite the latte being such a popular choice, many often get it confused with a cappuccino as they’re both frothy coffees. They are very different drinks though as the latte is creamier, with espresso and steamed milk mixed together to create a more subtle taste. A cappuccino on the other hand is much stronger with equal parts steamed and foamed milk. It’s also customary in most places to serve a cappuccino with a dusting of chocolate on top.

Answered your question to what is a latte? Indulge your thirst for knowledge and find out what a cortado is, next.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Is a latte hot or cold?

The latte is one of those wonderfully versatile drinks that can be enjoyed hot or cold. The only difference is in the preparation. When you're frothing the milk for your iced latte, don't heat it up! Cold milk will also froth well. You can use a whisk or milk frother for this. Then you simply pour the coffee through the cold, frothed milk, add some ice if you'd like it extra cold, and voila! A delicious iced latte, in a few simple steps, right at home.

Does latte mean milk?

The short answer? Yes. 'Latte' is Italian for milk, so if you're after a latte, make sure you ask for a caffe latte. That's the latte you're after! If you just ask for a latte, you might end up getting a plain glass of milk, which is nowhere near as satisfying as a smooth, foamy caffe latte.

Is a latte stronger than a cappuccino?

A latte and a cappuccino are very similar drinks, with the main difference being in the ratio of coffee to water to milk. Both drinks use an espresso base (for machine-made cappuccinos and lattes) or, in our case, instant coffee dissolved in hot or cold water. Because they use the same coffee base, neither one is stronger than the other, but it's likely that a latte will taste less intense because it uses more steamed milk than a cappuccino, which will cut through the intensity of the coffee.

   

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    The americano is often mistaken for just a standard black coffee, but it's so much more than that.

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