This is the difference between a cappuccino, a flat white and a latte

No one regrets a delicious cup of coffee now and then (unless you drink it before breakfast). Milk-based coffees are incredibly popular. Cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes: we drink them by the litre. All much of a muchness? Not at all. There really is a difference between a cappuccino, flat white and latte.

Yes, it’s true that they consist of the same ingredients: espresso and milk. But the preparation and quantities of these ingredients are fundamentally different in these three milk coffees. That’s why each coffee also has its own texture (and, of course, its own flavour).

Cappuccino, latte and flat white: the history

All three drinks have their own history. The cappuccino, for example, was first served in the 19th century in Viennese coffee houses. At the time, it was called a ‘kapuziner’. From the 20th century onwards, as espresso machines became increasingly common, the drink came to be known as a cappuccino.

Like the cappuccino, the latte also originated in Europe, specifically in Italy. At the end of the 19th century, many American tourists visited the country, and they weren’t used to bitter black coffee. So some steamed milk was added. The latte was born. And the flat white? That comes from Oceania. Australia or New Zealand—which one is still a matter of debate.

Milk/espresso ratio and preparation

You’ve already read it: cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites are all made with espresso and milk. The ratio between the espresso and milk differs for each type of coffee. As does the preparation.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino consists of three parts. One part espresso, one part steamed milk and one part frothed milk. Use a standard espresso of 18 to 20 grams and approximately 130 millilitres of steamed milk. Important: pour the coffee first. The warm milk and milk foam only come afterwards.

Latte

A latte also consists of one part espresso, one part steamed milk and one part frothed milk. Compared with a cappuccino, there is one important difference: you pour in the milk first and only then add the espresso. This ‘stains’ the milk with coffee. That’s also where the name comes from: latte macchiato means ‘stained milk’.

Another difference between a latte and a cappuccino is that a latte is served in a larger quantity. You pour in more steamed milk compared with a cappuccino: approximately 150 millilitres instead of 130 millilitres. Because you pour in the milk first and only then add the coffee and milk foam, you get those famous layers.

Flat white

Many baristas make their flat white with a double espresso. That’s an important difference compared with the cappuccino and latte. The double espresso makes a flat white taste stronger than a cappuccino or latte. A flat white also consists of one part steamed milk (130 millilitres) and one part frothed milk. The frothed milk is the smallest part in proportion to the rest.

The amount of frothed milk

Another difference between the three milk coffees is the amount of frothed milk. If you want to do it by the book, the cappuccino has the largest layer of milk foam. Officially, it should be at least 1 centimetre thick. The milk foam layer of the latte and flat white is approximately half a centimetre thick. How do you achieve this difference? By controlling the amount of air you add to the milk while steaming it. The more air, the thicker and firmer the foam will ultimately become.

Fancy a cappu, latte or flatty? Here’s where to go

It has been scientifically proven: people who drink coffee live longer. So bring on those cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites! Fancy grabbing a coffee? We’ve put together the very best coffee spots in Amsterdam and Rotterdam for you. Perfect places for your next coffee fix.

Also read:

• Buying a coffee machine? Expert: these are the mistakes you shouldn’t make
• Once and for all: is coffee addictive or not?
• A surprisingly versatile workhorse: coffee creamer

Source: Sage Appliances