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The Difference Between Latte And Cappuccino

What Is A Latte Macchiato

Latte VS Cappuccino, what’s the difference? ⢠Barista Training

Next to the latte, there is the beautiful sister: latte macchiato. But what is a latte macchiato and what is the difference between a latte and a latte macchiato? The difference between these two coffees is the way of pouring. With a latte, you start with espresso and then add the milk. A latte macchiato is a lot of milk with a shot of espresso. The latte macchiato is notable because you can clearly see the 3 different layers in the coffee. With a latte macchiato, you pour the espresso in the frothed milk very slowly so youll get the three beautiful layers. Warm milk, one shot of espresso and a rich milk foam on top. Discover our TASSIMO pods to have a latte macchiato at home

What’s The Difference Between Coffee Espresso Cappuccino And Latte

Normal “American coffee” is brewed by mixing the grounds of roasted coffee beans with hot water, allowing the mixture to steep briefly, and then straining out the coffee grounds. This is an extremely simple process. “Regular coffee” usually means an 8 ounce cup of American coffee with a teaspoon of sugar, and a small amount of milk or cream mixed in.

Espresso can be made with the same coffee beans, and they can be roasted in the same way as for American coffee, although sometimes superior coffee blends – mostly Arabica – are used , and sometimes darker roasts are used in espresso for a more intense flavor.

But espresso can be made using the very same coffee and the very same roast. However for espresso, the coffee must be ground finer than what is necessary for American coffee. This is because of the brewing technique. What makes the beverage an “espresso” is the special brewing technique. And the special brewing technique is why we require a special “espresso machine.” Although espresso can be made in a pot on the stove, the result is inferior, and is not recommended.

The resulting extraction, espresso, has a much more intense flavor than regular coffee. This is why espresso cups are tiny. The normal serving of espresso is about an ounce and a half – the same as a shot. A 2.5 ounce serving is called a double serving, or a doppio . Milk or cream is never poured into espresso , although espresso can be sweetened with sugar if desired.

Difference Between The Two Coffee Styles

The main difference lies in the ratio and preparation. Although both styles of coffee have the same espresso and milk, theyre not prepared in the same way.

It all starts with the espresso base but when it comes to the milk its aerated to a certain texture and consistency.

Do a spoon test, where you place a spoon to rest on top of the milk foam screen of a latte and a cappuccino.

Youll see the spoon resting on the foam screen of the latte cup sinks much faster than the spoon sitting on top of the cappuccino one.

If it is the opposite for you then its evident youre latte and cappuccino arent really what they say they are. Baristas who lack consistency would result in such outcomes.

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The Real Difference Between A Latte And A Cappuccino

So, whatll it be: a latte or a cappuccino? Have you tried both? While the ingredients are the same, the way the two drinks are prepared and served is the key distinguishing factor. Ed Moffatt, a specialty coffee expert and co-founder of Common Room Roasters, weighs in on the differences between a latte and a cappuccino so you never confuse the two coffee drinks again.

We Can Summarize The Differences In The Following List:

A Flat White Is Not A Latte Or Cappuccino!
  • In a Cappuccino, youll have equally distributed the espresso, the steamed milk, and the foamed milk. A Latte contains more steamed milk and a tiny foam layer. This can be noticed just by looking at your cup.
  • In a Cappuccino, coffee and milk dont mix. Thats why you can perfectly notice the three layers, while in a Latte the both of them, coffee and milk, are blended together.
  • If you want to, you can ask for the chocolate powder to be poured into your Capuccino. You cant ask for this in a Latte.
  • A Capuccinos coffee flavor feels stronger than a Lattes, because of the portion of liquid milk used in each of them.
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    The Facts About Cappuccino Vs Latte

    A cappuccino and a coffee latte are both made with an espresso machine and are two of the worlds most popular coffee beverages.

    Both coffee lattes and cappuccinos are Italian in origin. Both are espresso drinks. Cappuccinos and lattes are composed of the very same ingredients: espresso coffee, steamed milk, and foam.

    Whats The Difference Between A Latte And A Cappuccino

    Based on the above descriptions, its safe to say that the most notable difference between a cappuccino and a latte is the texture of the milk, in that the steamed milk of the latte is thinner, while a cappuccino is full of froth. Another key distinction is that cappuccinos use less milk than lattesnamely because cappuccino milk fluffs up so much from all the aeration, and the drink is intended to be served in a smaller size.

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    Whats The Difference In The Volume Of Each Of These Drinks

    The latte has the largest volume of all the drinks weve talked about.

    If you make it using a double shot of espresso and 300 ml of milk, youll end up with a 360 ml beverage. Thats quite a lot of coffee, especially when you compare it to most other drinks.

    Like the cappuccino, for example, which is quite a bit smaller.

    Made with a single shot of espresso and around 90 ml of milk, a cappuccino is usually around 150 ml all up.

    Thats less than half the size of a latte!

    But the smallest of all is the macchiato.

    At around 35-40 ml on average, its only just slightly larger than a single shot of espresso.

    What Is A Macchiato

    All Espresso Drinks Explained: Cappuccino vs Latte vs Flat White and more!

    Macchiato literally means marked, as it is an espresso marked with a spoonful of foamed milk on top.

    Nowadays you can find countless different variations of the macchiato including the caramelly Starbucks one and a tall macc with so much milk that it is basically a miniature latte. Technically, however, a macchiato is simply an espresso with a tiny dash of milk.

    Outside Italy, you might want to order an espresso macchiatoto make sure you get the right drink.

    Watch Steven from Home Grounds explain all the most popular espresso drinks, including the latte, macchiato, and cappuccino, in this video:

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    Whats A Latte Macchiato

    Last but not least: the latte macchiato. Known for its three distinctive layers of milk, espresso and milk foam, the latte macchiato is loved in many countries. The difference between a latte macchiato and a latte is the order of pouring the coffee into your cup or glass. With a latte macchiato you first steam your milk and then you add the espresso to the milk. With a latte you will add the milk to your coffee.

    How To Make A Latte

    First, gather what youll need to make lattes at home:

    • Latte cup or mug
    • Espresso machine

    Step 1: Preheat Cup

    This may seem like an arbitrary step you can breeze past, but trust us, preheating your cup is a game changer. A warm cup prevents your espresso from going cold while steaming your milk.

    Step 2: Pull Espresso

    We typically use a double-shot of espresso for our lattes but feel free to drop down to a single shot if you prefer a weaker cup.

    Pour the espresso into your preheated mug or glass and set it aside.

    Step 3: Steam Milk

    Using the steamer wand on your espresso machine, froth about 6 ounces of your milk of choice.

    Hold your cup at an angle, with the end of the wand close to the side of the cup, submerged about half an inch. Allow the milk to swirl without interfering too much.

    Use a thermometer to determine when the milk is ready. If you rely on sight only, you may risk burning the milk. We like to steam to about 150 degrees and never above 155.

    Dont have a steamer wand? No problem. Check out our tips for how to froth milk without a frother.

    Step 4: Pour Milk

    Give the pitcher of milk a few firm taps on the counter to pop any larger bubbles on the surface. Use a spoon to give it a quick swirl before pouring.

    Slowly pour the milk into your mug, allowing the milk to flow first and the foam last. Go slowly here, holding your cup at an angle as you pour. Stop when youve reached your desired amount of foam.

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    A Closer Look At The Cappuccino

    A cappuccino contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam

    On the other hand, the cappuccino is also a much-loved coffee choice.

    Its a creamy consistency, and the foamy, frothy topping will warm the soul. It is an American-breakfast staple that everyone loves to choose repeatedly.

    The term cappuccino allegedly comes from the Italian word Capuchin.

    Italian Capuchin monks and their brown hooded robes were the inspirations for the name of the creamy, brown coffee drink.

    The popularity of cappuccino spread through the US in the 1950s through Italian American neighborhoods. Then it quickly became a menu staple in all coffee houses.

    How To Choose Latte Vs Cappuccino

    The difference between latte and cappuccino

    The whole point of learning the difference between these two popular coffee drinks is to know which one you should choose. Ultimately, unless you are VERY particular about taste or a coffee fanatic, you wont really care about which one you order. But to decide what to choose, consider:

    • Stronger Coffee Taste Cappuccino

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    Do You Need Special Brewers For An Espresso

    Espresso has to be brewed through a machine because of the pressure required to push the water through the machine. The entire premise of an espresso lies in the machine that produces it. The first espresso machine was built by Angelo Moriondo in 1884 it used steam to brew espresso in large quantities rather than in single servings as we have in machines today.

    Coffee shops have specialized espresso machines to brew this kind of coffee, mainly because they need it as a base for all other preparations. For home use, you can also get an espresso machine that can be pretty cheap up to hundreds or thousands of dollars for a fully-automatic espresso machine. Espressos on their own have become a popular way to drink coffee, so manufacturers have made it easier and easier for consumers to brew their own coffee at home. There is a wide variety of machines you can get in the market to produce espressos at home. The techniques used to make espresso vary from the kind of machine you have and some do a better job than others.

    Quick Facts About These Espresso

    • The origin of the latte, cappuccino, and macchiato is all in Italy .
    • The name cappuccino comes from a group of monks called the Capuchin friars. The color of cappuccinos is similar to the color of their robes, so the Italians derived the word cappuccino from Capuchin.
    • The word latte comes from the Italian word caffellatte, which means coffee and milk when you translate it to English.
    • Latte art is the pattern created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso.
    • All three of these drinks are espresso-based but can be made with different milk, foam, and espresso ratios.

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    What Sets The Cappuccino Aside From The Coffee Latte

    Whats the Difference Between a Latte and a Cappuccino?

    The main factor that sets cappuccino apart from the coffee latte is often more espresso.

    Cappuccino also contains less milk and a lot more milk foam, giving a cappuccino a more robust and richer taste than a latte, as the steamed milk does not dilute the coffee flavoring.

    This also makes a cappuccino a much lighter option than the latte, as less milk means fewer calories!

    A cappuccino consists of:

    • 1-2 shots of espresso, made with an espresso machine
    • Two oz. of steamed milk
    • Two oz. of foamed milk
    • A sprinkling of chocolate dusting

    What Is A Espresso Macchiato

    Here are all the big differences between some of the most popular coffee drinks

    In Italian the word macchiato means “spotted” or “stained”. But what is an espresso macchiato? This coffee is stained or spotted with a touch of milk. More specifically, an espresso macchiato is an espresso drink with a little frothed or steamed milk on top. This is poured over the espresso. Only a little milk is poured in so that the full flavour of the espresso comes through. Do you like intense espresso flavour and do you find a cappuccino just a bit too mild? Then you should definitely go for an espresso macchiato!

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    Final Questions: What Should I Order Cappuccino Or Latte

    Definitely not an easy question to answer, but here we will try to make it easier for you: If you like the strong coffee flavor with some extra foam and perhaps chocolate powder while were in it, then you happen to be a Cappuccino person. But on the other hand, rather have your coffee not that strong with some milky taste and almost no foam a Latte is your way to go.

    We hope you find this article interesting, and all of your doubts have been perfectly cleared. You are now all set, go make your order and feel free to lecture anybody else about these two delicious beverages. Let us know whats your way to go. Cappuccino or Latte lover? We also have a guide on Espresso Vs Coffee!

    Latte Or Cappuccino: Which Should You Order

    In the left corner, we have the practically all-American, cozy, nutritional latte. On the right, the cappuccino customary as a delectable caffeine boost.

    Which one wins our latte vs. cappuccino match-up?

    Neither, unfortunately. Its uncommon for our comparisons to end in a draw, but this time the playing field truly is even. Their ingredients and caffeine content are exactly the same, while the variations we can compare are entirely subjective.

    Think of cappuccinos and lattes as cousins rather than rivals. When next you visit a cafe, order the one that appeals to you most. Lattes are best if youd like a creamy, milky treat, while cappuccinos dominate if you favor stronger espresso without the bitter bite.

    Hey, no matter which one you pick, latte vs. cappuccino, youll be served really good coffee so you win either way!

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    Cappuccino Vs Latte: Taste

    As mentioned, since cappuccinos are served in a smaller cup and contain less steamed milk, they have a stronger taste and contain a thick later of dense but smooth microfoam.

    Lattes are bigger, creamer, milkier, have a velvety-like texture, and have a milder coffee taste, making lattes more approachable.

    Because of these differences, lattes are good for sipping slowly and cappuccinos are a better choice for a quick caffeine hit that can be consumed almost instantly.

    The Certified Cappuccino Recipe

    Latte vs Cappuccino vs Macchiato

    While many sources consider the definition of cappuccino as a 1:1:1 ratio of coffee, milk, and foam, the Istituto Nazionale di Espresso Italiano defines Certified Italian Cappuccino as follows:

    • It begins with 25 ml of espresso
    • It requires 100 ml of cold milk steamed to a volume of 125 ml
    • It is to be served in a white porcelain cup with a volume of 150-160 ml
    • It is to be topped with a visible dome-shaped cap of milk foam

    To test this, we fired up the La Pavoni and brewed several cappuccinos to the INEIs precise specifications. They were exactly like the cappuccino we enjoyed at the Hotel Universo in Lucca on our last trip to Italy, where the barista added just a thin layer of foam on top. Sometimes, standards are delicious.

    The key to the INEI cappuccino: the quality of the espresso. Where the macchiato is 75% espresso and 25% milk, the cappuccino reverses the proportions. This means that for cappuccino, espresso quality is of paramount importance.

    A poor shot wont give you enough coffee flavor a perfect shot will render that magical balance of deep espresso and slightly sweet steamed milk.

    Heres a video by Dritan Alselda on how to achieve the perfect cappuccino at home:

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    A Closer Look At The Latte

    A closer look at the Latte

    The coffee latte is widely considered an introductory coffee beverage or a safe option. The term coffee latte is a derivative of caffe latte in Italian. Latte means espresso coffee with milk.

    That is all it is!

    A coffee lattes smooth, firm taste is due to the perfect combination of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Its a sweet flavor that will still wake you up in the morning!

    The perfect hot latte consists of:

    • One shot of espresso, made with an espresso machine
    • 6-10 oz. of steamed milk
    • A light layer of foam on top

    How To Make Latte

    There are three steps to making a cup of latte. The base is an espresso shot to that you add steamed milk and a little bit of milk foam on top.

    A standard latte has espresso and milk with a sheen of a foam layer.

    If you observe a Barista, youll notice how they start with espresso as the base. Then they move on to steaming the milk.

    The milk is steamed to a light creamy texture. The cup of milk is then tapped a bit to help settle the foam. Then the milk is slowly added to the espresso topped with a little bit of milk foam layer.

    Now, you can also try to make a latte yourself if you have your best latte machine for home use. Read our review article on the best latte machines.

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