Over the last decade, the latte has quickly become a staple in coffee shops and has established itself as a timeless icon in the world of coffee. Often confused with the cappuccino or even the flat white, the latte is actually quite different and cherished by coffee lovers for good reasons. You can enjoy your hot latte on a long winter walk, or as an iced latte by the pool during the summer! Here’s our recipe to make your own latte at home!
WHAT IS A COFFEE LATTE?
A latte is a coffee drink made with a shot of espresso, frothed milk and a layer of milk foam.
Just like many caffeinated drinks such as the cappuccino or the espresso macchiato, latte comes from Italian meaning milk. It is an excellent drink for practicing your latte art since there is more milk than coffee
That’s why it is regarded as the perfect comfort drink as it can be enjoyed all year round either hot or iced and in many seasonal versions. The most famous ones are the iconic Pumpkin Spice latte and the Gingerbread latte.
Therefore, a latte is always a safe choice for those who don’t like their coffee to be too bitter or for coffee lovers looking for a decadent treat.
Be careful when you order it though: a latte is not the same as a café au lait. They are two very different drinks. Let’s get a closer look!
What’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
You’re now probably wondering what the difference is between a latte and a cappuccino?
While they both contain the same amount of espresso and foam on top, the difference between a latte and a cappuccino lies in the amount of milk they contain: while a latte can contain up to 36cl of milk, a cappuccino only contains 27cl of milk.
What’s the difference between a latte and a latte macchiato?
You may also be wondering what’s the difference between a latte and a latte macchiato.
The latte macchiato will traditionally show off its three distinctive layers of milk foam, hot milk and espresso in the glass. The latte will also taste more caffeinated and less milky than the latte macchiato but you can always choose to make it with a single or double shot of espresso. It’s all a matter of taste and aesthetic!
How to prepare a latte with a bean-to-cup coffee machine?
Ingredients
Your favourite coffee beans
22,5cl of milk
Material
A bean-to-cup coffee machine with a steam wand
1 cup for your coffee
1 cup for your latte, slightly bigger than a cappuccino cup
Preparation
Step 1First, prepare your espresso shot. Put your coffee beans in your espresso grinder.
Step 2Brew your espresso and set aside.
Step 3Now prepare your milk using your steam wand. Fill a milk jug by half.
Step 4Place the tip of your steam wand close to the spout of your jug and just below the surface of the milk.
Step 5The steam wand will heat the milk and froth it at the same time. Once the milk has started to froth, dip the wand deeper into the milk until it rises to a level where it reaches ⅔ of steamed milk in the jug.
Step 6Clean your steam wand.
Step 7Tap your milk jug on your countertop to release air bubbles and stir it to obtain a smooth, thick and homogenous mousse. Set aside to cool.
Step 8Pour your espresso shot into your cup, then pour in the hot milk on top. Enjoy!
Step 1
First, prepare your espresso shot. Put your coffee beans in your espresso grinder.
Step 2
Brew your espresso and set aside.
Step 3
Now prepare your milk using your steam wand. Fill a milk jug by half.
Step 4
Place the tip of your steam wand close to the spout of your jug and just below the surface of the milk.
Step 5
The steam wand will heat the milk and froth it at the same time. Once the milk has started to froth, dip the wand deeper…
Step 6
Clean your steam wand.
Step 7
Tap your milk jug on your countertop to release air bubbles and stir it to obtain a smooth, thick and homogenous mousse. Set aside to…
Step 8
Pour your espresso shot into your cup, then pour in the hot milk on top. Enjoy!
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How to prepare a latte with a manual espresso machine?
Ingredients
Your favourite coffee beans
22,5cl of milk
Material
A manual espresso machine
1 coffee grinder
1 cup for your coffee
1 cup for your latte, slightly bigger than a cappuccino cup
Preparation
Step 1Grind 14g of coffee in your portafilter. Even out the ground coffee in your portafilter using your hands to distribute it more or less evenly.
Step 2Then use your grind distributor to ensure that the coffee is evenly packed (2 to 3 turns).
Step 3Apply 15 to 20kg of pressure to your grind using your tamper, in order to compact your grind.
Step 4Before switching on your percolator, perform a flush (the action of cleaning the filter of any grounds that may have remained and emptying the water group).
Step 5Insert the portafilter in the group and start brewing. You can stop your brew when your espresso weighs 28 to 42g.
Step 6Now prepare your milk foam (with a steam wand). Fill a milk jug by half.
Step 7Place the tip of your steam wand close to the spout of your jug and just below the surface of the milk.
Step 8The steam wand will heat the milk and froth it at the same time. Once the milk has started to froth, immerse the steam wand deeper in the milk until it rises to a level where it reaches 2/3 of steamed milk in the jug.
Step 9Set your milk aside and clean your steam wand.
Step 10Tap your milk jug on your countertop to release air bubbles and stir it to obtain a smooth, thick and homogenous foam. Set aside.
Step 11Pour your espresso shot into your cup, then pour in the hot milk. Enjoy!
Step 1
Grind 14g of coffee in your portafilter. Even out the ground coffee in your portafilter using your hands to distribute it more or less evenly.
Step 2
Then use your grind distributor to ensure that the coffee is evenly packed (2 to 3 turns).
Step 3
Apply 15 to 20kg of pressure to your grind using your tamper, in order to compact your grind.
Step 4
Before switching on your percolator, perform a flush (the action of cleaning the filter of any grounds that may have remained and emptying the water…
Step 5
Insert the portafilter in the group and start brewing. You can stop your brew when your espresso weighs 28 to 42g.
Step 6
Now prepare your milk foam (with a steam wand). Fill a milk jug by half.
Step 7
Place the tip of your steam wand close to the spout of your jug and just below the surface of the milk.
Step 8
The steam wand will heat the milk and froth it at the same time. Once the milk has started to froth, immerse the steam wand…
Step 9
Set your milk aside and clean your steam wand.
Step 10
Tap your milk jug on your countertop to release air bubbles and stir it to obtain a smooth, thick and homogenous foam. Set aside.
Step 11
Pour your espresso shot into your cup, then pour in the hot milk. Enjoy!
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MaxiCoffee’s tasty tips
As said before, coffee lovers are particularly fond of lattes, because it’s a coffee drink that can be easily adapted in different recipes. You can substitute cow’s milk with any plant milk alternatives such as soya or oat milk. You can also add syrups and other toppings to create the coffee that suits you best.
Shopping list
Coffee beans – Terre d’avenir – Green Lion Coffee (1kg)
Latte is an easy coffee recipe to make at home. For those with a sweet tooth, you can make it over and over again: in summer, with ice cubes, or in winter, to warm up by the fire. By using quality ingredients and following our recipe, you can make your latte like a real barista! You can find all our coffee recipes on MaxiCoffee.
