What Is The Difference Between Cappuccino And Latte?

By mixing espresso, steamed milk, and foam, you can make various drinks like a latte, cappuccino, and many more. But there is a huge confusion between two of the popular espresso drinks: latte and cappuccino. If you are not an expert in a variety of coffees, you might think that they are virtually the same. Read this article to know the difference between a cup of cappuccino and a latte.

Ingredients Of Cappuccino And Latte

Both these drinks have the same ingredients. These two are both Italian drinks that need steamed milk, foam, and espresso. But there are some differences which separate the two. The best part is as both of these drinks are easy to make with accessible ingredients so you can just make it at your home. You can use an espresso machine to make these versatile espresso drinks.

Fundamentals Of Cappuccino

The cappuccino was born from the days of World Wars. During 1980s, the Italian drink arrived in America as well as all over Europe. Now, this has become a structured drink that is usually served in ceramic or glass cups of 6 ounces or squat.

Its structure is the most defining feature of all. If you split it evenly in 3 parts, you can feel the quality of this cappuccino just by its weight. Conventionally, you need 1/3 espresso, 1/3 of steamed milk and over it 1/3 of airy foam milk. So, to know about a barista’s real skills, the ability to make this correctly is one of the benchmarks. If the barista makes it completely well, you will experience a low level of acidity along with some delightfully airy and rich feel.

Fundamentals Of Latte

In 1867, the name of this brewed drink was first used. For centuries, a variety of latte drinks has been part of staple breakfast. The origin of this coffee is from Italy, and it translates to milk coffee.

Though it is a centuries-old beverage, it first got its place in the cafes in the 20th century. You must serve this coffee in a bigger cup or mug as compared to the cappuccino cups.

Latte has a velvet-like creamy texture. To make it accurate, you must mix 1-2 shots of beautiful espresso and pour it over 5-6 ounces of the steamed milk you have prepared. 5/6th of the cup will be filled with the espresso –steamed milk mixture. Over it sits a very thin foam layer.

The cappuccinos mostly have defining structures while lattes impress with its foam art on top.

Ratios Of Ingredients

Ingredients for making these two espresso drinks might be the same, but the main difference is in the ingredient ratios. For making these two distinct coffees, a barista must master the right balance of milk, espresso, and foam.

Both these beverages require the same amount of espresso. The primary difference is in the ratio of steamed milk and foam. In a latte, you need more steamed milk to pour over espresso and mix. But in cappuccinos, more foam and less milk do the trick. Also, you don’t need to mix the milk in order to get structured layers.