What is a Latte?

A latte is one or two shots of espresso with steamed milk, topped with a thin layer of foam. In the US, it typically runs 8 to 12 oz. In Italy, "caffè latte" is served in a glass around 6 oz with a higher coffee ratio and no froth performance.

Ordering "a latte" in Italy gets you a glass of plain milk. Say "caffè latte" and you get what you expected.

The US has 64,793 coffee shops. The latte is on most of their menus.

It is the default. The baseline. The drink most specialty shops could survive on alone. You can find lattes in New York at nearly every shop. In Los Angeles, the latte is often the baseline drink from which dozens of variations (lavender, matcha, oat, turmeric) are built.

"The latte is to specialty coffee what the cheeseburger is to restaurants. Everyone makes one. The quality gap between the best and worst is enormous."

What separates a great latte from a mediocre one

The espresso quality. The milk temperature (ideal is 60 to 65 degrees Celsius). And the microfoam texture. Overheated milk loses its sweetness. Properly steamed milk tastes naturally sweet without added sugar.

A great latte from Equator Coffees or Stumptown is noticeably better because the espresso is dialed in fresh and the milk is handled correctly. Learn to make one in how to make a latte at home.

Related: Latte vs cappuccino, Oat milk vs almond milk, Make a latte at home.