There are so many different caffeinated drinks to choose from at coffee shops that it can be difficult to order unless you know Italian or the lingo that baristas use.
This article will explain the difference between a latte, macchiato, cappuccino, or more modern creations invented by a Mermaid chain. Some people think these modern creations are closer to dessert than coffee.
We need to start by looking at the foundation of all the different types of coffee that originate from Southern Europe in order to understand the modern coffee world.
When you know the standard way these coffee and milk drinks are mixed, it’s much easier to remember what each one contains.
The classics
1. Espresso is the foundation of all the drinks
It all starts with espresso and milk. What if you don’t know what espresso is? Espresso is a very strong and concentrated coffee that is usually served in a small cup.
To be classified as espresso, it must be brewed using pressure. In the past, 9 bars has been considered the ideal amount, but really, 6 is enough.
Since espresso is very concentrated, it is best to mix it with milk or other liquids.
Milk is used in different forms and proportions. Milk can come either steamed or foamed.
- Steamed milk is essentially just warm milk that will blend nicely with the coffee. (Pro Tip: Never exceed 68°C/154°F when steaming milk, at high temperatures it will start to taste egg-like)
- Milk foam, on the other hand, will be light and bubbly. Because of all the air trapped inside the microbubbles, it will stay on the top. The milk foam will be the canvas for any latte art.
Cappuccino
- 1 double espresso shot
- 1 part steamed milk
- 1 part milk foam
If you order a latte at many coffee shops, the drink will often come with some sort of latte art on top. Two examples of popular patterns are rosettas and hearts. In more traditional cafés, the cappuccino is lightly sprinkled with cocoa powder on top.
The cappuccino is the god-father of milk-based coffee drinks. The name of the drink tells you how old it is. The Italian drink known as cappuccino gets its name from the color of the robes worn by Capuchin monks. This color is created by mixing coffee and milk.
Several hundred years ago, the cappuccino first originated; however, the modern version of this drink dates back to the 1950s when espresso machines became widely available in Italian coffee shops.
Cappuccino is considered a breakfast drink in Italy, and it is frowned upon to drink it after 11:00 a.m. Italians will usually order espresso later in the day as it is supposed to be better for digestion.
Cappuccinos have a higher coffee-to-milk ratio than lattes, which allows the coffee’s flavor to stand out more.
It is highly recommended that you use high-quality coffee beans for your espresso shot. This creates a perfect balance between the strength of the coffee, the sweetness of the milk, and the airy texture of the foam.
The amount of steamed milk and foam in a drink can vary slightly. A dry cappuccino is espresso with very little steamed milk, while a wet cappuccino is espresso with more steamed milk. A cappuccino with less steamed milk and more frothed milk is considered a dry cappuccino. A flat white is made with espresso and milk, but the milk is steamed so that it’s less foamy than in a cappuccino. This makes the drink less sweet and highlights the flavors of the espresso more than a regular cappuccino.
The difference between a wet cappuccino and a dry cappuccino is that a wet cappuccino has more steamed milk than frothed milk. The milk in cappuccino dilutes the espresso, making it sweeter. The texture of a cappuccino is unique compared to a latte, even though it contains less frothed milk.
A bone dry cappuccino is an espresso topped with milk foam instead of steamed milk. Although it can be a unique experience, the downside is that the drink can take quite a while to make.
If you want to know if there is a cappuccino with more milk than foam, it is called a latte or a flat white.
No matter which cappuccino you decide on, you’ll love the light and airy foam that this coffee is known for.
Another variation
Caffee latte
- A single or double shot of espresso
- 6 -10 fl oz of milk
- ½ inch of milk foam
It is most often served in a glass, though it can occasionally be served in a coffee mug. Today, huge lattes are a common sight in many coffee shops. More recently, people have been adding syrup to give food a flavor boost.
Although the caffe latte is now one of the most popular coffee drinks, this is strange when considering its origins.
In Italy, coffee with milk was traditionally made at home. Many people make coffee using a stovetop espresso maker and then adding hot milk. This technique is also referred to as café con leche in Spanish or café au lait in French.
In the past, there has never been an item called ‘latte’ on the menu in Italian coffee shops. The word “latte” is used to describe a coffee with milk, and it is believed that this started in Italian-inspired coffee shops on the American west coast during the 1980’s.
Macchiato
- A double shot of espresso
- ½ inch of milk foam
Espresso is usually served in a small cup or a clear glass.
The macchiato is a new drink that has become very popular in recent years. A flat white coffee has less milk and more espresso flavor compared to a latte or cappuccino. Many coffee drinkersBelieve that coffee is a more masculine drink.
In other words, an espresso with some foamed milk on top. Caffe macchiato in Italian means coffee with a little bit of milk.
If you are new to coffee, it can be confusing to order a Macchiato at a coffee shop. If you’re new to coffee, you might be more familiar with the Macchiato served at commercial coffee chains.
A latte macchiato is a coffee drink that is milkier and heavier than a regular latte. Some customers might have a drop of syrup on top of their drink, depending on the order. This would help differentiate the drink and make it more sweet.
My experiences as a barista have only involved serving espresso macchiatos. Some people have ordered this drink, thinking it would be a large, sweet, milky beverage, but instead it is a small cup of espresso with caffeine.
In a more traditional sense, the Italian Macchiato or Espresso Macchiato is a basic drink made with just espresso and milk. A cappuccino is a coffee drink that consists of a shot of espresso with a spoonful of foamed milk on top. Why bother including such a small amount of milk?
Adding milk to your espresso will make the crema more velvety and the coffee beans taste sweeter. This coffee is perfect for those who appreciate the strong flavor of espresso.
In Portugal, there is a versions of Macchiato called Cafe Pingado, which literally translated means “coffee with a drop”. A Cortado is a good choice if your coffee shop offers it if you’re craving for something with just a bit more milk.
The milk foam is traditionally poured only in one spot, which gives the drink its “trademark” white spot in the middle. Don’t let this straightforward process fool you. This espresso drink is full of flavor with a slight hint of smoothness.
If you are not accustomed to steaming milk in small amounts, it is advisable to start by adding 10 or 20 ml more milk than you think you need, then reduce the amount as you become more familiar with the process.
Also, be sure that the milk isn’t too hot. If you heat your milk even a little bit too much, it can have a big effect on your drink. This might make the texture of your coffee different than you want it, and it can also make the coffee taste bitter.
You should treat the Macchiato like you would a high-quality espresso shot. In order to make a great espresso macchiato, it is essential to use high-quality, freshly ground coffee beans. This will make the coffee stand out more than other similar milk-based beverages.
If you think an espresso macchiato is too strong for you, a Cortado is a good alternative. A cortado is a coffee with a 1:1 ratio of espresso and milk, making it a halfway point between a macchiato and latte. Coffee is still the main flavor of the drink, and milk provides a smooth texture compared to Macchiato.
For a latte macchiato, the focus is on the milk rather than the coffee, as opposed to a traditional macchiato. It usually uses a single shot of espresso and uses more milk than a latte.
The milk is first converted into steam and then frothed to create a dry, thick texture. This mixture is then placed into a glass. To finish it off, the espresso is added on top.
Latte
- A cup of vigorously steamed milk with a nice layer of foam on top
- A single espresso shot is poured ON TOP of the milk.
The drink will have a gradient, being darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. So far everything has been pretty smooth sailing. The latte macchiato being added to the coffee menu makes things more complicated.
While the caffe macchiato has the most caffeine, the latte macchiato has the most milk. To remember the difference, keep the Italian dictionary close.
The latte is unique from other coffee drinks because it is made with smooth micro-foam and frothed milk. It looks and feels distinct and smooth because of the small, fine bubbles of milk on top.
If you want a light coffee, order a latte instead of other drinks. The espresso is mixed with more milk, which softens the flavors of the coffee. If you prefer a more flavor-packed espresso drink to a latte, ask for a flat white at your local coffee shop.
In other words. The latte macchiato is a coffee drink made by adding espresso to milk, instead of adding milk to espresso as in a caffè latte. It’s like the yin and the yang. This is essentially a milk drink, not a coffee drink.
This coffee drink contains more milk than others, making it sweet and creamy instead of bitter like cappuccino. The micro-foam at the top of the coffee is what defines the latte. The coffee has a foamy, milk texture that goes well with the creaminess of the espresso.
The flat white is a coffee drink that is popular among those who are not used to the intense flavors of espresso. The drink is made by adding steamed milk to espresso and results in a quick cup of coffee. A macchiato is a type of coffee that uses a double shot of espresso with a small amount of milk, and is topped with micro-foam.
The coffee-to-milk ratio in a flat white is higher than in a latte because a flat white is a smaller drink. A flat white uses less milk and foam than a latte.
If you want to go for an extreme option while still enjoying the velvety foam, a piccolo latte is a decent choice. It is served in an even smaller glass (4 oz), and it uses an extra concentrated shot. This shot is shorter and has less coffee.
Don’t be tricked by its size; this smaller espresso shot has more concentrated and vibrant flavors. It is great to have a bigger portion size and it is usually delicious when mixed with milk.
The majority of coffee shops use coffee beans that have a chocolatey and nutty taste, which goes well with steamed milk.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to say “espresso with hot milk” today that even a seasoned linguist would be perplexed. Use the classics as a guide for your writing. If you want something extra strong, you can memorize the term ‘cortado.’
Remember, If you’re in doubt, ask the barista. The people who work for the company are typically friendly and willing to share information about their job with others.
Avoiding milk-based coffee drinks can help keep your calorie intake down.