Have you recently been at a barista coffee shop and order for coffee? When the menu comes, then it suddenly dawns on you that you don’t know what to order because you can’t tell the difference between latte and cappuccino? Well, that won’t happen anymore. Keep reading and discover the difference between latte and cappuccino.
There are many different types of coffee that you may have heard or lead in the menu in your favorite coffee shop. You might have seen Americana, espresso, cappuccino, Keurig, latte, and regular coffee, among other names. You might get confused about which one to take because they all seems to be made using the same ingredients. Coffee, milk, and water. However, let’s focus on the difference between cappuccino and latte. How can you tell one apart from another? What are the differences? Let start with how they are similar.
Similarities
The only similarity between latte and cappuccino is in the ingredients. The ingredients for both drinks are milk, foam, espresso, and syrups for added flavor. However, the difference lies in many things, including the number of ingredients used on each drink.
Differences
To better understand the differences between latte and cappuccino, let’s look at them one at a time.
The origin
Both latte and cappuccino origin differences are in the name. Some claim that cappuccino looks like the Capuchin monk because of the foam and brown espresso ring. Regardless of the stories, cappuccino originates from Italy and other parts of Europe. It became famous in America only in the 80s.
As for latte also referred to as café au lait or caffe latte, it has its roots in Spain. The names mean latte. If you order it in other countries, you will be served a glass of milk with no coffee. In America, Berkeley, California is considered latte’s birthplace. Because of this, most people claim the drink originates from America.
The flavor and quantity of milk needed
One of the differences in the essence. Cappuccino tends to have a stronger taste than the latte because of the espresso milk ratio used. With one sip, you will notice that the drink is rich in flavor and has a lot of milk. In short, cappuccino is 50% steamed milk and 50% espresso.
As for a latte, it uses a less milk than the cappuccino. If you love your coffee with lots of milk, then go for the cappuccino. Latte contains more textured and steamed milk.
How they are served
A quick difference between the two is how they serve it. Latte is usually served in porcelain cups with heat retention properties while cappuccino is brought in a glass on a saucer. A napkin usually follows.
The size
The size in which they serve cappuccino and latte is different. Visit almost all coffee shops, and you will notice that cappuccino is smaller in size than a latte, cappuccino is always around 180 to 200 ml and latte anything between 200 to 300 ml. They both tend to have the same amount of coffee components. Two shots of espresso is what they use to make either of the drinks.
Process
For cappuccino, the process starts with using similar portions of milk and espresso. The milk is frothed into a microfoam to double its milk volume. You then need to pour the microfoam over the espresso. You can pour the espresso over the microfoam. Otherwise, you will have another form of coffee known as the latte macchiato.
As for latte, the process involves more milk than the espresso. Milk is not frothed but heated to 150 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. They are poured together into your serving cup and brought to you. The only micro foam there are the once foamed during the steaming process. Some baristas pour the foam in the artistic manner to create a fancy design.
An additional tip, for personal taste, shaved and powdered chocolate or/and cinnamon is sprinkled on top of the drinks. It adds flavor and creates a personalized taste.
Texture
The texture of a traditional cappuccino is silky, but less creamy than that of the latte which has less milk. When cappuccino goes the right process, and an equal amount of milk and espresso are used, the texture is silkier. As for latte, it seems richer, and sweeter when you add the syrups. The textures are a bit different.
There you have it, a variety of differences between latte and cappuccino. Although the drink uses the same ingredients, they taste different, served in different ways, have different textures, and the process is also different. With advent coffee maker, making cappuccino or latte at home is easier now more than ever. It requires less attention than when using other methods. Lastly, bot drink can satisfy your taste if you are a coffee junkie.
