What is a coffee latte?
What is a coffee latte? Why is the coffee latte arguably the most popular drink at coffee shops worldwide? . According to 2020 data from Project Café USA, the coffee latte is the most requested drink in the UK and the third most popular drink at coffee shops in the US.
It is so popular, but many people still do not understand the inner combination of making a latte. Let’s learn more about this favorite drink through the article below!
What is a coffee latte?
A coffee latte is a combination of coffee and fresh milk. Both are made from milk and coffee ingredients but don’t confuse a coffee latte with Cappuccino. Because the ratio of these two types of coffee is different, while the Latte contains 1/3 Espresso, 1/3 heated milk, and 1/3 milk foam, the Cappuccino contains 1/3 Espresso, 1/3 heated milk, and ½ milk foam. Therefore, Cappuccino coffee has more floating foam on top than Latte.
The development history of Latte
Coffee and milk have been combined to create customized beverages since the 1600s. Around the world, especially in Europe, coffee and milk are combined to make drinks. such as caffè latte in Italy, Milchkaffee in Germany, café con leche in Spain and café au lait in France. Although latte shares similarities with other beverages, it was not until the late 1860s that the term was first used to describe this milky coffee beverage.
Latte coffee was introduced to the US from Italy after the Second World War; when Americans wanted to try an exciting drink, they could experience it there. Consumers often found coffee too strong at that time, so they added milk to make the coffee taste softer and easier to drink and enjoy.
Latte gradually became widely popular in Seattle in the late 1980s; this drink appeared in nearly all coffee shops across the US during the 1990s. The lower strength has made Latte more accessible and has helped the glass quickly gain popularity worldwide.
Over the years, this beverage has become a staple of the global coffee industry and remains a favorite among consumers.
What is in a coffee latte?
Like other milk-based coffee drinks, a latte is based on a single or double shot of espresso. The milk used for the Caffe Latte is steamed to create a smooth, creamy texture, combined with the dense and flavorful espresso for a harmonious blend of flavors.
Since the structure of a latte is essentially milk, bartenders always need to hone their techniques to prepare the best possible beverage for the consumer. Poor-quality foam can negatively affect the mouthfeel of a latte – making the drink feel thin or bland. The typical ratio for espresso and milk is about 1:2.
It is difficult to find a fixed and exact recipe because of each culture and customer need, as well as the popularity that has exploded over the past 20 years, and Latte coffee has many different variations. However, this drink is constantly refined and is often made into sweet versions worth trying for coffee lovers.
Latte Art
Besides its distinctive taste, the coffee latte also leaves an impression on consumers with artistic works from the smooth milk foam layer. The concept of latte art has existed for centuries, somewhere in the 1980s.
Latte art is becoming increasingly popular in coffee shops in Europe and America, where baristas add appeal to their drinks by creating a little art on the milky aesthetic. Today, there are several well-known latte art patterns – including tulips, hearts, swans, and roses.
Latte coffee is also considered a drink that is constantly changing and adapting to the field of Specialty coffee. It is the product of the traditional elite, but the revolutionary transformation is excellent. The appearance of the World Latte Art Championship contest also affirms the popularity and significant role of this exciting drink in the world coffee industry.
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If you love the sweet combination of coffee and milk, come to 43 Factory and try the milk-based dishes to experience the flavor explosion of specialty coffee on a sweet milk base.
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