What is Latte and The Differences with Cappucino

Have you ever gone to a coffee shop and not seen the word “latte”? Probably not. Because IT IS everywhere.

Latte, also known as café latte, is a very popular coffee. The term "latte" comes from the Italian word "milk," which makes sense given that a latte is made up of espresso and steamed milk.

In Italy, a latte is almost always prepared at home, usually only for breakfast. Coffee will be brewed in a Moka pot on the stove and poured into a cup of hot milk. (Unlike "international" lattes, the milk in the original Italian version is generally not frothy, and sugar is added by the drinker if any.)

Outside of Italy, lattes are usually brewed in a 240 ml (8 fl oz) cup or mug with one standard espresso coffee (either single, 30 ml, or 1 fl oz, or double, 60 ml, or 2 US fl oz) and filled with evaporated milk. With a layer of foamed milk about 12 mm (1⁄2 in) thick on top. In the United States, lattes are often sweetened with 3% or more sugar. When ordering this drink in Italy, one should order a latte macchiato.

 

What is Latte

Latte or Caffè Latte is a milk coffee drink with a gentle froth layer that serves as the drink's highlight. A real latte will include an espresso shot or two, steamed or frothed milk, and a thin coating of foamy milk on top. The combination of these ingredients produces a well-balanced milk coffee with a pleasing look and a silky texture.

 

Origins of Caffé Latte

A latte starts with the same basic ingredients as a cappuccino - a shot of espresso. Next, espresso is combined with steamed milk to create a smooth and creamy coffee drink with a fine espresso flavor. In the simplest terms, a latte is a coffee made by combining espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It is considered one of the most popular espresso drinks around the world.

Latte is traditionally considered breakfast coffee. It probably dates back to the 17th century, although cafes have commonly mentioned it since the 20th century. It originated in Italy, although for many years it was used throughout mainland Europe and the United Kingdom.

Of course, it's been one of the most popular espresso drinks in the US for generations, too. The commercial version of this drink is an American invention although Europeans have been drinking this type of coffee for a long time.

Linguistically, the English word "latte" is a shortened version of the Italian word "caffe latte". In other countries, the drink is commonly referred to as "café au lait" (in French) and "Cafe con Leche" (in Spanish), which translates to "coffee with milk". So ask for a latte, lait, or Leche in those countries, and you'll receive a glass of steamed milk.

In America, Caffè Latte as we know it today is allegedly invented in Berkeley, California by Café Mediterraneum. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that Seattle spread its popularity, and it is often advertised as the coffee capital due to its Starbucks connections. As a result, the number of coffee shops per capita is 10 times the national average. Unsurprisingly, it ran from coast to coast over the next few years, establishing itself as a national obsession before the turn of the millennium.

Also read: French Press Coffee 101: All About French Press

 

How To Make A Latte (Cafe Latte)

Whether you want to make a latte as a simple treat or want to impress your visiting guests, making a latte at home is incredibly easy. Just follow our steps to enjoy a great creamy drink, using ingredients you might find in your pantry!

Ingredients:

• Instant coffee
• Milk or dairy substitute
• Sugar or syrup (for the sweetness)

Equipment:

• Tall glass
• Thermometer
• Saucepan
• Jars with lids or frothing wand
• Spoon for stirring

How To Get The Perfect Steamed and Frothed Milk

1. Use very cold milk. Take it out of the fridge just before you use it, then fill the pot with about a third of the steam. Don't overfill because if you steam and aerate it properly, it will double or triple in volume.
2. One or two percent milk is a good choice because it is a better foam than whole milk and tastes better than low-fat milk. Although the volume will not increase by much if you use milk with more fat, it will have a richer taste and texture.
3. Before you start steaming the milk, clean the steamer tube to remove any water that may be inside. Do this by placing a wet towel over the steam wand and then running the steam for a few moments.

How To Make a Steaming Latte

1. Now put the steam wand into the milk in the steaming jug/pitcher and turn on the steam while pointing the steam wand a little towards the center until the milk starts flowing in a circular motion.
2. Keep the steam wand submerged because if you leave the tip of the steam tube on the surface of the milk, it will create large unwanted bubbles and will also cause the liquid to splatter.
3. Make sure the tip of the steam tube stays just below the surface of the milk and that the vortex maintains a circular motion.
4. Listen carefully to the sound the process makes - it should sound like something is frying on the grill. When you get to that sound, you know you have the optimal location for the steam rod to inject air into the milk.
5. When you find the right place to install the steam wand in the milk, you don't have to move the steamer at all because the angle of the jug and the pressure of the steam wand will keep the milk in a circular motion. The only movement required is to slowly reduce the steaming pot as the milk volume increases.
6. With the tip of the steam wand just below the surface and the milk flowing quickly in a circular motion, the large bubbles that form on the surface of the milk should immediately fall back into the milk. Only very small bubbles will remain.

Also read: Get to Know Cold Brew: Coffee in A Hurry

 

The sweet spot

Placing your pitcher ​​at the right angle is essential to steaming the milk - thick bubbles/foam and you'll end up with a cappuccino instead of a latte. Perfect your steaming skills by paying attention to:

1. The location of the steam tube that causes a layer of froth to begin forming over the milk but without causing large bubbles is known as the 'sweet spot'.
2. Once you find the sweet spot while using the steam wand, the surface of the milk and foam begin to form, the milk rolling motion will continue and very small micro-bubbles will be foaming.
3. Measure the amount of foam you need based on the type of espresso you are making. For example, if you are making a cappuccino, you will need a good amount of foam, so leave the steam wand near the surface a little longer than the latte.

 

Other Types of Latte

While the most common latte is the Caffe Latte, it can also be made with something else in place of espresso. Common alternatives include mate ("maw-teh"), which are tea, or matcha.

However, there are many other variations available, including the latte macchiato. There is also Caffe mocha which consists of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup. You may also hear about Turmeric latte, which comes with a sprinkle of turmeric to your strong-brewed coffee drinks.

There are also a number of dairy alternatives on the market for those who are lactose intolerant or have other nutritional needs. Kisaku has specially formulated options for soy milk (Bonsoy), almond milk, and oat milk (Oatly/Outside). 

There are also "special" lattes, such as Pandan latte, Kampoeng Latte, Almond Mylk Latte (home series), and lots of other options at Kisaku cafe.

When you evaporate milk for lattes and other espresso drinks, you are injecting air into the milk to create soft, creamy milk with an amazingly rich taste. A skilled coffee maker produces a fine foam without large bubbles so that it blends with the espresso in harmony with taste.

 

Is Latte Hot or Cold?

Latte is a versatile drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold. The difference is only in the preparation. When you're making an iced latte, don't use steamed milk! You can simply pour the coffee into the cold, frothy milk, add an ice cube if you like it extra chilled, and voila! Iced coffee latte to the rescue.

 

Difference between latte and cappuccino

When you go to a coffee shop, you come across a menu of cappuccinos and lattes. Sometimes some people equate cappuccino and latte. How wrong you are! Although both are coffee, these two coffee drinks are different.

Cappuccinos and lattes are coffee drinks that contain espresso and milk, each with a thin layer of foam. These drinks contain the same ingredients and amount of caffeine, but there are key differences between the two:

• Dairy content
  The main difference between latte and cappuccino is the ratio of milk to coffee. Simply put, a cappuccino contains less milk than a latte. Both drinks start with a shot or two of espresso, to which evaporated milk is added. A typical cappuccino contains about 25 milliliters of espresso and 100 milliliters of evaporated milk to fit into a 160 milliliter (5.4 ounces) cup.
• Serving Size
  Cappuccinos coated with milk foam to fit a 5.4 oz cup. Lattes are served in much larger glasses—at least 8 ounces, which means they contain at least twice as much milk.
• Coffee taste
  Latte is generally thicker than a cappuccino. This coffee has a smoother taste because the espresso is mixed with the milk before the milk froth is added. Don't mix milk and espresso in a cappuccino - espresso, milk, and foam are poured on top of each other in defined layers.
• Latte art
  The main visual aspect of a cappuccino is the layering of espresso, hot milk, and foam. The latte usually has a latte art at the top of the cup, made from frothy or foamed milk.

Latte vs Cappuccino, Which one is stronger?

Latte and cappuccino are very similar drinks, the main difference being the ratio of coffee to water and milk. Both drinks are based on espresso (for cappuccino and machine-made latte) or, in our case, instant coffee dissolved in hot or cold water. Since they use the same coffee base, neither will be stronger than the other, but Latte will likely be less strong because it uses more steamed milk than the cappuccino, which reduces the thickness of the coffee.

 

Latte, Your Essential Coffee Drinks

Today, lattes are popular in coffee shops all over the world. Many people make it at home using a special coffee machine. Part of the latte's popularity may stem from the invention of latte art by cafe baristas. This unique art form involves creating an eye-catching design on the top layer of foamed milk as the espresso and evaporated milk is poured into the cup. 

Over the years, latte variations have also become popular. For example, a latte can be made by substituting versions of dairy, such as almond, soy, and oat milk. Various flavoring syrups are also often added to cold lattes to create delicious combinations.

Because it’s available everywhere, Latte has become an essential part for caffeine lovers who need coffee breaks in the middle of their daily hustle. In Kisaku, various types of latte are available, with also various milk options. You can also get the coffee to go with home series coffee which is available in 1000 ml sizes. No coffee lattes? There is also a Green tea latte to cover your day.

Can’t wait to taste our various lattes? Visit our shop in Kisaku Pasaraya Blok M, Blok S or Revenue Tower! Or if you own your espresso machine, simply visit our online shop to prepare to make your coffee at home with our specialty blend.