COFFEE GUIDE
Latte
Espresso and steamed milk. The most ordered espresso drink in America.
WHAT IT IS
A latte is espresso plus steamed milk, typically 8 to 12 oz, with a thin foam layer on top. The word "latte" means milk in Italian. Ordering a "latte" in Italy will get you a glass of plain milk. Say "caffè latte" to get what you want.
HOW IT IS MADE
One or two shots of espresso are pulled and poured into a cup. Milk is steamed to about 60 to 65 degrees Celsius, creating microfoam. The steamed milk is poured over the espresso, with the foam held back by a spoon and then spooned on top. At quality shops, a latte is often finished with latte art.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Creamy, mild, and slightly sweet from the naturally sweet steamed milk. The espresso flavor is present but softened by the large amount of milk. A latte from a specialty shop with freshly pulled espresso tastes noticeably better than one from a chain.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want something creamy and mild. When you are new to espresso drinks. When you want a large, satisfying coffee drink you can sip for 20 minutes.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "latte" and specify the size. Add your milk preference (oat, almond, whole). For more espresso intensity, ask for an extra shot. For a smaller, stronger version, try a flat white or cortado.
VARIATIONS
Flavored latte: add vanilla, hazelnut, or seasonal syrups. Iced latte: espresso over ice with cold milk. Oat milk latte: substitute oat milk for dairy. Matcha latte: matcha powder replaces espresso.
CAFFEINE
About 63mg for a single-shot latte. About 125mg for a double-shot. Standard 8 to 12 oz lattes typically use a double shot.
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Latte. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
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