Cappuccino or Latte?

For the uninitiated, the world of espresso drinks can be quite a mystery. Even when ordering something as simple as a cappuccino or latte, the customer is presented with numerous options often resulting in a puzzled expression. Once you know the lingo it’s really very simple. The language of espresso is the key.

We talked about espresso in a previous post. Let’s discuss the two most popular espresso drinks next — cappuccinos and lattes.

How do you like your milk?

The only difference between a cappuccino and a latte is how the milk is prepared. Before milk (or soy, if you prefer) is added to espresso, it is first steamed. This process injects air into the milk and will begin to create foam. Incorporating air into the milk improves and sweetens the taste. The milk is heated to a temperature of approximately 160°F. A skilled barista will make a smooth, creamy foam; you don’t really want something akin to soapsuds in your coffee.

Latte

For a latte, the volume of milk is increased by one-third to one-half. That means what starts out as a few ounces of milk ends up appearing to be almost one and a half times that. The end result is a small amount of foam, enough to give extra body to the drink and sweeten it a bit.

Cappuccino

For a cappuccino, more foam is produced — enough to fill one-third of the cup with foam. A cappuccino may end up tasting slightly stronger than a latte because of the ratio of milk to coffee.

Ready to Order? Here’s what you need to know …

Single / Double / Triple: espresso is measured in “shots”; typically the number of shots equates to the size of the drink (single = small, double = medium, etc.). If you like your drink to have a stronger coffee flavor, you can ask for a small double.

The next time you have an opportunity to try a cappuccino or latte from your local, independently owned cafe remember the following:

• the number of shots of espresso (single, double, triple)
• the size of the drink (small, medium, large)
• cappuccino or latte
• milk choice (typically skim by default)

We’ll talk about more options later.

Salute!