What is a Latte Coffee?

You’ve probably heard of the name of this popular coffee drink a few times. But do you know exactly what is latte coffee? 

Do you know the differences between latte vs mocha, latte vs coffee vs cappuccino, or iced latte vs iced coffee?

There is a lot to cover in this topic and even some of the different types of latte. 

Let’s not procrastinate any longer. Let’s start.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. What is a Latte Coffee?
2. How to Steam the Perfect Milk for Latte?
3. How to Find the Perfect Spot?
4. How to Make a Latte?
5. What is Latte Art?
6. Espresso Drinks Similar to Latte
7. What is a Latte at Starbucks?
8. Starbucks Hot Latte Coffee
9. Starbucks Iced Latte Coffee
10. What is a Latte Macchiato?
11. What is a Mocha Latte?
12. What is a Spanish Latte?
13. What is a Piccolo Latte?
14. Difference Between Cappuccino vs Latte
15. What is a Breve Latte?

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What is a Latte Coffee?

The full title for the term “latte” will be “Caffe Latte” (often wrongly referred to with the incorrect spelling of “cafe latte”). The word is derived from the Italian “Caffe e latte,” which means – not surprisingly, “coffee and milk.” However, “coffee and milk” doesn’t quite do justice to the quality of a Latte.

There might be a slight distinction in how the Latte coffee is prepared and served in the various coffee shops and cafes.

However, there’s a standard drink definition that each variation is based on.

A Caffe Latte is an espresso-based drink made from espresso shot and steamed milk, where the ratio is 1/3 Espresso and 2/3 Milk. On top, there is a microfoam layer of approximately 0.2 or 0.4 inches. This creates a rich, velvety texture paired well with the rich and delicious espresso giving a harmonious mix of flavors. 

A Latte comes in an 8 oz to 12 oz (240 ml. up to 350ml.) cup.

If the drink uses coffee brewing, it’s not technically considered a Latte. This is a “cafe au lait,” the French word for “coffee with milk.” 

RELATED TOPICS: 

1. Latte Vs Coffee: What Is The Difference
2. Are Lattes Hot or Cold

How to Steam the Perfect Milk for Latte?

1. Make sure to use extremely cold milk. Remove it from the refrigerator right before you need it, and then fill around 1/3 of the steaming pitcher. Do not fill it more than this because when you steam, aerate and heat your milk correctly, it will double or triple in volume.
2. The best choice for milk is 1% or 2% since this produces greater foam than whole milk and has a superior flavor over milk with low fat. Although the volume of milk will not increase when you choose extra fat-rich milk, the flavor and texture will be more intense.
3. Before you begin, purge the steam wand to remove any water. You can do this by placing an untidy towel on the surface of the steam wand and then turning on the steam for a couple of seconds.
4. Then, place the steam wand in the milk inside the steaming pitcher. Turn on the steam while you point the steam wand slightly off-center so that the milk begins flowing circularly.
5. Keep the steam wand in the milk to avoid letting the end of the wand go beyond the surface of the milk. It will cause massive, unwelcome bubbles. It can also result in splattering. Be sure that the edge of the wand’s steam stays below the milk’s surface and ensure that the vortex is maintained in its circulation.
6. Pay attention to the sound. It will sound like something is cooking on a grill. If you hear this sound, it is clear that you need the best spot for the steam wand’s location for injecting air into the milk.
7. Find the perfect spot. When you have found the perfect place to put the steam wand within the milk, you’ll not need any movement of the pot in any way due to the angles of the pitcher. The pressure from the steam wand will keep that milk’s circular rotation. The only move you need to make is to gradually lower the steaming vessel as the milk’s volume increases.
8. With the end of the steam wand under the surface and the milk moving circularly, the large bubbles that develop over the top of the milk should rapidly dissolve back into the milk. Very small bubbles should remain.

How to Find the Perfect Spot?

Making sure your pitcher is in the proper position is essential for making steamy milk. Too much foam or bubbles, and you’ll wind with a cappuccino instead of the latté. You can fine-tune your steaming technique by taking note of:

1. The “sweet spot” is where the steam wand begins to form milky foam without creating large bubbles.
2. When you’ve reached the ideal place, the steam wand barely touches the milk’s surface, and the foam is beginning to appear. The milk’s rolling motion should continue. Small and silky bubbles will make the foam.
3. Calculate the amount of foam you’ll require depending on the sort of espresso drink that you’re making. For instance, if you make the traditional cappuccino, you’ll need plenty of foam. Allow the steam wand close to the surface longer than for a Latte.

How to Make a Latte?

The latte is among the most commonly consumed drinks within the coffee industry, and every professional barista working in a coffee shop should be able to make it. If you own an espresso machine at your home, you’ll need milk to begin making a latte! 

To begin making this latte, you will need the equipment and ingredients below.

Equipment

• Espresso machine
• The milk frother
• Milk pitcher
• An alternative Coffee grinder

Ingredients

• 7 ounces of milk (1% or 2%)
• 16.5 grams of espresso grounds
• A 10-12 ounce size Latte cup

Step-by-Step Instructions for Latte

1. Blend 16.5 grams of coffee.
2. Make an Espresso in a 10-12 ounces cup.
3. Pour 7-9 ounces of cold milk into a milk pitcher. 
4. Purge the steam wand to remove any excess water.
5.  Place the steam wand in the milk and find the perfect spot.
6. Heat to 160 degrees F and stop until small bubbles are on top.
7. Once the espresso is ready, pour the steamed milk at an angle 3-4 inches over the cup.
8. Enjoy!

What is Latte Art?

Latte art is becoming more popular in coffee shops across Europe and America. Baristas give a zing to specialty coffee drinks by creating an art piece on top of the aerated and steaming milk to enhance the aesthetics.

The way creates many designs and shapes that the foam and milk are in the beverage, and can be drawn in various designs such as hearts, trees, and flowers. Although this can be accomplished with a hand-held device by skilled baristas, a simpler method for novices is to employ the stencil with a chocolate or cinnamon topping.

Espresso Drinks Similar to Latte

What do lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, flat whites, cortado, and macchiatos all have in common? 

They’re all made using different quantities of milk, espresso, milk foam, and techniques.

• Flat White: The beverage was developed in Australia and is like a Latte but with an elongated foam layer. The less milk foam means that the espresso’s flavor will be more apparent.
• Cortado: So, what Is a cortado coffee drink? Remove the foam (or reduce it more), and you’ll get cortado made from equal amounts of espresso and steaming milk.
• Cappuccino: Italian’s classic morning drink is made using 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and /13 foam of milk.
• Macchiato: The name could be confusing, as the word “Macchiato” can be made in two different ways. The traditional macchiato espresso (macchiato is Italian, meaning “marked”) is espresso that is “marked” with small amounts of foam and steamed milk. A Macchiato Latte comprises equal parts of espresso and steamed milk, with espresso being added to the milk to “mark” it.

RELATED TOPICS:

1. What is a Cortado vs Latte Coffee
2. What is the Difference between Cortado vs Flat White vs Cappuccino?

What is a Latte at Starbucks?

At Starbucks, you can find two types of Latte:

• Hot Lattes
• Iced Lattes

The Hot Lattes you can order in four different Starbucks cup sizes: Short, Tall, Venti, and Grande, while Iced Lattes are mostly in Tall, Venti, and Grande cups.

The main ingredients are Espresso shots and steamed milk, but you can find some other variations with the addition of flavors (Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Blonde Vanilla).

Starbucks Hot Latte Coffee

Before looking at all the different types of Hot Lattes at Starbucks, I prepared a table with their nutrition stats. You can glance at it to see what I will be talking about.

Note that the stats are for a Grande Cup Size in the table. As you already know, its volume is 16 oz.

STARBUCKS HOT LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Pumpkin Spice Latte	150	390	50	14	50
Honey Oatmilk Latte	170	270		10	28
Caffè Latte	150	190	30	7	18
Cinnamon Dolce Latte	150	340	50	14	40
Starbucks Reserve® Latte	135	230	35	12	18
Starbucks Reserve® Hazelnut Bianco Latte	135	380	35	18	36
Starbucks® Blonde Vanilla Latte	170	250	25	6	35

Pumpkin Spice Latte

It would be difficult for you to find this Pumpkin Spice Latte on the menu. It is a seasonal drink and you can have it only for a few months in the year. 

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Pumpkin Spice Sauce
• Brewed Espresso
• Whipped Cream
• Pumpkin Spice Topping

STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	75	210	35	9	27
Tall Cup Size	75	310	45	12	38
Grande Cup Size	150	390	50	14	50
Venti Cup Size	150	470	60	16	63

Starbucks Honey Oatmilk Latte

Its ingredients are:

• Oatmilk
• Brewed Espresso
• Honey Blend
• Toasted Honey Topping

STARBUCKS HONEY OATMILK LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	85	140	5	14
Tall Cup Size	85	200	7	21
Grande Cup Size	170	270	10	28
Venti Cup Size	170	360	13	36

Starbucks Caffè Latte

Starbucks Caffè Latte is a dark, rich espresso blended with steaming milk and topped with a thin, thick layer of foam. It’s a perfect warm-up drink for milk lovers.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Brewed Espresso

STARBUCKS CAFFE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	75	100	15	3.5	9
Tall Cup Size	75	150	25	6	14
Grande Cup Size	150	190	30	7	18
Venti Cup Size	150	250	40	9	23

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Cinnamon Dolce Latte contains freshly steamed milk and cinnamon dolce syrup with espresso classic. It is then served with whipped cream and the cinnamon dolce topping to give you a unique taste in a delicious treat.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Brewed Espresso
• Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
• Whipped Cream
• Cinnamon Dolce Topping

STARBUCKS CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	75	190	30	9	21
Tall Cup Size	75	270	40	12	31
Grande Cup Size	150	340	50	14	40
Venti Cup Size	150	420	60	16	51

Starbucks Reserve® Latte

Starbucks Reserve® Latte contains milk and a thin layer of foam which creates a perfect hand-crafted latte.

STARBUCKS RESERVE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	135	110	15	6	8
Tall Cup Size	135	180	30	9	13
Grande Cup Size	135	230	35	12	18
Venti Cup Size	265	290	45	15	22

Starbucks Reserve® Hazelnut Bianco Latte

The Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte has a house-made hazelnut-praline infused with milk and combined with a shot or two Starbucks Reserve espressos. This is a true character of sweetly nut love.

STARBUCKS RESERVE HAZELNUT BIANCO LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	135	190	20	9	18
Tall Cup Size	135	310	30	15	30
Grande Cup Size	135	380	35	18	36
Venti Cup Size	200	520	50	25	50

Starbucks® Blonde Vanilla Latte

The extra-soft Starbucks Blonde Espresso has a smooth steamed milk and creamy vanilla syrup to create a refreshing new take on an espresso classic. It is a perfect choice for those who like lighter-roasted coffee.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Brewed Espresso
• Vanilla Syrup

STARBUCKS BLONDE VANILLA LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Short Cup Size	85	130	15	3.5	17
Tall Cup Size	85	200	20	5	27
Grande Cup Size	170	250	25	6	35
Venti Cup Size	170	320	35	9	44

Starbucks Iced Latte Coffee

RELATED TOPICS:

1. 10 Best Starbucks Cold Foam Drinks
2. Full list of Starbucks Iced Coffee Drinks and their Calories

Before looking at all the different types of Iced Lattes at Starbucks, check out their nutrition stats. 

Note that the stats are for a Grande Cup Size with a volume of 16 oz.

STARBUCKS ICED LATTE COFFEE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte	150	370	55	16	45
Iced Honey Oatmilk Latte	170	210		6	25
Iced Caffè Latte	150	130	20	4.5	11
Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte	150	300	45	13	35
Starbucks Reserve® Iced Latte	135	210	35	11	16
Starbucks Reserve® Iced Hazelnut Bianco Latte	165	280	25	13	26
Iced Starbucks® Blonde Vanilla Latte	170	190	15	4	28

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

The Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte is a seasonal drink and it is not on the menu. 

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Ice
• Pumpkin Spice Sauce
• Brewed Espresso
• Whipped Cream
• Pumpkin Spice Topping

STARBUCKS ICED PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	75	270	40	12	34
Grande Cup Size	150	370	55	16	45
Venti Cup Size	225	480	60	18	65

Iced Honey Oatmilk Latte

Its ingredients are:

• Oatmilk
• Ice
• Brewed Espresso
• Honey Blend
• Toasted Honey Topping

STARBUCKS ICED HONEY OATMILK LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	85	160	5	19
Grande Cup Size	170	210	6	25
Venti Cup Size	225	300	9	37

Iced Caffè Latte

Iced Caffè Latte has a dark and rich espresso paired with milk and served with Ice. The perfect milk-forward cooling down.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Ice
• Brewed Espresso

STARBUCKS ICED CAFFE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	75	100	15	3.5	9
Grande Cup Size	150	130	20	4.5	11
Venti Cup Size	225	180	25	6	15

Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

The Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte include freshly steamed milk and cinnamon dolce-flavored syrups combined with espresso classic and ice. Then it is topped with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce to give you a unique taste in a delicious treat.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Ice
• Brewed Espresso
• Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
• Whipped Cream
• Cinnamon Dolce Topping

STARBUCKS ICED CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	75	240	40	12	27
Grande Cup Size	150	300	45	13	35
Venti Cup Size	225	420	60	18	51

Starbucks Reserve® Iced Latte

The Starbucks Reserve Iced Latte is paired with milk and Brewed Coffee and served with ice. This creates perfect handcrafted refreshing sips.

Its ingredients are:

• Milk
• Ice
• Brewed Coffee

STARBUCKS RESERVE ICED LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	135	150	25	8	11
Grande Cup Size	135	210	35	11	16
Venti Cup Size	165	290	45	15	22

Starbucks Reserve® Iced Hazelnut Bianco Latte

The Starbucks Reserve Iced Hazelnut Bianco Latte contains house-made hazelnut praline combined with Starbucks Reserve espresso and milk and served over ice.  

If you like this test you can check and some of the best Hazelnut Iced Coffee Starbucks.

STARBUCKS RESERVE E ICED HAZELNUT BIANCO LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	85	210	20	10	20
Grande Cup Size	165	280	25	13	26
Venti Cup Size	200	390	40	18	37

Iced Starbucks® Blonde Vanilla Latte

The Iced Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte contains Blonde Espresso, milk, ice, and vanilla syrup combined to create a refreshing variation on an espresso classic.

Its ingredients are:

• Ice
• Milk
• Brewed Espresso
• Vanilla Syrup

ICED STARBUCKS BLONDE VANILLA LATTE	CAFFEINE	CALORIES	CHOLESTEROL	FAT	SUGAR
Tall Cup Size	85	140	15	3	22
Grande Cup Size	170	190	15	4	28
Venti Cup Size	225	270	20	5	41

What is a Latte Macchiato?

The Latte Macchiato is an espresso-based coffee drink available in 9 oz to 10 oz (270 ml. – 300 ml.) glasses.

One of the main differences between a Latte and a Latte macchiato is the order. For the latte macchiato, the barista pours the espresso shot over the milk that has been frothed and steaming. Thus, your drink will contain a mark within the foam, but the espresso marks the milk, not the reverse. This also means that you’ll taste more espresso at the beginning of the sip since the milk is at the bottom.

Starbucks` other differentiator is the kind of milk used. The regular Starbucks macchiato latte is made with whole milk, unlike a regular latte which uses only 2% milk. Of course, you can choose to have your Latte or latte macchiato using different types of milk (including alternatives such as oat or almond milk). However, you’ll receive it if you don’t specify the milk type.

What is a Mocha Latte?

Mocha latte contains milk, espresso, and chocolate syrup.

Mocha latte is essentially an espresso latte, but with chocolate added. The coffee’s flavors and chocolate are mingled effortlessly. It is possible to get the chocolate taste by adding cocoa powder.

Ingredients

• 1 espresso shot
• 7 ounces of milk 
• 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup
• Whipped Cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a small pot over medium-high heat, mix chocolate syrup and milk. Stir continuously for approximately five minutes until they are completely blended and the milk has fully dissolved.
2. Pour the espresso with milk mix into the glass mug. Decorate with the whipped cream and chocolaty syrup (optional).

What is a Spanish Latte?

The Spanish Latte is typically served in a 10 oz. (300 ml.) cup, and it’s composed of coffee, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk.

In making a Spanish Latte, the barista will pull an espresso shot. Then, he mixed sweetened condensed milk with cold milk in the container.

The mixture inside the pitcher gets steam before being frothed, then served on top of the espresso.

So the Spanish lattes are pretty much identical to the traditional caffe latte, but the only difference is that the latter doesn’t include sweetened condensed milk.

There is also an Iced version in most establishments that serve this delicious and sweet espresso drink.

Iced Spanish Latte is made from espresso, and a mixture of sweetened and cold condensed milk served on glasses of ice cubes.

What is a Piccolo Latte?

The Piccolo Latte (often referred to as “Piccolo”) is a smaller version of the original Caffe Latte.

It is packaged in a glass of 3 oz (90 milliliters) to 4 oz (120 milliliters) by diluting espresso shots with textured and steamed milk.

Like the regular Latte, the Piccolo also has a latte artwork.

Difference Between Cappuccino vs Latte

The two espresso drinks are both made up of espresso and two additional ingredients: steamed and foamed milk. Before we get into the specifics, the main distinctions are:

•  The primary distinction is the consistency of the milk in that the steamed milk in the Latte is softer, and a cappuccino is filled with foam. 
• Traditional cappuccinos have an evenly distributed espresso drink with steamed milk and a layer of foam. Lattes have more steamed milk, and the foam is thin.
• The cappuccino is layered, while in Latte, everything is mixed together.
• Cappuccinos require less milk than lattes, mainly because the cappuccino milk flutters in the wake of all the aeration. 

Cappuccino vs Latte: Which one is stronger? 

Due to the lesser amount of milk in making the cappuccino, the beverage is more pronounced than the Latte. But the two drinks generally contain the same amount of espresso. Therefore, their caffeine levels are the same. The drink’s strength indicates how strongly you can taste the espresso. 

Also, the milky Latte will have more of a mellower taste by contrast.

Cappuccino vs Latte: Which one is healthier?

This is a difficult one because there’s nothing harmful regarding milk. However, if calories and fat content are the primary matter, the Latte might be considered the least healthy choice between the two because of the amount of milk in the drink. (But, indeed, one drink isn’t necessarily healthier than the other.)

Cappuccino vs Latte: Which one is sweeter?

According to the experts, when you use steamed milk, the natural sweetness of milk is evident. Thus, the high proportion of espresso to milk ratio will make the Latte sweeter than a cappuccino. It’s important to remember that neither contains any additional sugar, so what amount you put in at the coffee depends on you.

What is a Breve Latte?

Drinks like the Breve coffee can be described as an Americanized variation of the classic Italian cafe latte. Breve coffee tends to be lighter than the standard latte made from regular milk since steaming half-and-half boosts the volume of foam in the espresso drink.

A Breve coffee can also have significantly more cholesterol and fat than milk-based lattes, whether you use whole milk instead of low-fat. Many coffee drinkers will find a cafe breve to be so rich that they can drink it without sweeteners to it. 

Naturally, you could use a sweetener or syrup with a flavor to enhance your breve coffee.