Caffè Latte
Espresso under a long pour of steamed milk, with only a thin skin of foam.
A caffè latte is espresso with a generous pour of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, served in a tall glass or cup. Milder than a cappuccino, it tastes of steamed milk, light caramel and a little cocoa.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 63 mg in one serving (10 oz (300 ml), single shot), a concentration of 21 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Espresso Machine |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1 part espresso to about 11 parts milk |
| Base & finished drink | 18g → 218g |
| Grind size | Fine (espresso) |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 0:25-0:30 extraction |
| Serving | 10 oz (300 ml), single shot |
What you need
- 9 g freshly roasted coffee, ground fine for espresso
- About 200 ml whole milk, or an oat milk made for steaming
Required gear
- Espresso machine with a steam wand
- Burr grinder with fine adjustment
- Portafilter with the right basket
- Tamper
- Scale accurate to 0.1 g
- Small milk jug
- Thermometer (optional)
- Warm cup or glass
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm a 300 ml cup or glass. Dose 9 g of ground coffee into a single basket and tamp flat and even.
- 0:20Pull a single shot into the cup: 9 g of coffee into about 18 g, in 25 to 30 seconds.
- 0:50Steam about 200 ml of cold milk to 55 to 65°C. Let in air for only two or three seconds at the start, then sink the wand and spin the milk until it is smooth and glossy, with only a thin layer of foam.
- 1:40Swirl the jug and pour the milk in a steady stream, finishing with a little foam on the surface. Serve at once.
Troubleshooting
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 63 mg for a latte made with a single shot. Many cafés use two shots in a 12 oz latte, which doubles that to about 126 mg. A typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee has about 95 mg.
Smooth, not stiff
For a latte the milk should be silky rather than stiff. Let in air for only a few seconds, then let the milk spin until it looks glossy. Big, dry bubbles mean the foam is too thick.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A caffè latte is espresso with a generous pour of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, served in a tall glass or cup. Milder than a cappuccino, it tastes of steamed milk, light caramel and a little cocoa.
Origin & Story
Order a latte in Italy and you will be handed a glass of milk. In Italian, latte simply means milk, and the coffee drink is called a caffè latte, or caffè e latte, coffee and milk.
The café version needs an espresso machine with a steam wand, which could heat and texture milk. Earlier English-language accounts exist, though: the American writer William Dean Howells described cafè latte served on a steamship between Trieste and Venice in his travel book Italian Journeys.
A latte has far more milk than a cappuccino and much less foam. It is usually served in a larger glass or cup, around 230 ml, without a thick layer of foam, and it tastes milder and creamier as a result. The fine microfoam is also what makes latte art possible, because it can be poured so that patterns form in the white milk and brown crema.
Lattes are the most adjustable of the espresso drinks. In the United States they are often sweetened, with flavored syrups, and they are made in much larger sizes than in Italy.
Start with a single shot, 9 g of coffee yielding about 18 g, in a warm 300 ml cup. Steam about 200 ml of cold milk to 55 to 65°C until it is smooth and glossy, with only a thin layer of foam, and pour it in a steady stream. Many cafés use two shots; this version uses one.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 28/100 |
| Bitterness | 32/100 |
| Body | 72/100 |
| Aroma | 62/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Caffè Latte?
One serving, 10 oz (300 ml), single shot, contains approximately 63 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Caffè Latte?
Brew the base at 93°C (199°F). Where the milk is heated, 60–65°C is the target; past about 70°C it tastes scalded and loses its sweetness.
How long should Caffè Latte be extracted?
Timing: 0:25-0:30 extraction. Method: Espresso Machine. Ratio: 9g in, 18g out, plus 200 ml milk. Grind or leaf format: Fine (espresso).
Why does my Caffè Latte taste bitter?
In a milk drink, bitterness comes from the base (espresso pulled too long or tea steeped too long) or from scorched milk. Brew the base to the stated proportion, and if the milk is heated, stop at 60–65°C.
Why does ordering a latte in Italy get you milk?
In Italian, latte means milk. The coffee drink is called caffè latte or caffè e latte, which means coffee and milk.
What is the difference between a latte and a flat white?
A latte is larger, with more milk and a little more foam. A flat white has less milk for the same amount of espresso and a thin layer of microfoam, so it tastes more of coffee.
Who should avoid Caffè Latte?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Breville Bambino Plus Compact Espresso
In this recipe: Espresso machine with a steam wand
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