What Is a Latte? The Classic Italian Coffee with Milk

You walk into a café, glance at the menu, and see ‘latte’ listed among the coffee options. But what exactly is it—and how is it different from other milk-based espresso drinks like cappuccino or macchiato? If you’ve ever ordered a latte expecting a strong coffee taste only to find something milky and mild, you’re not alone.

A classic Italian latte consists of one small shot of espresso (about 30ml) and 150–200ml of steamed milk. That’s it—no foam art, no extra steps. The focus is on the smooth combination of espresso and hot milk, with milk taking the lead in volume.

What Defines a Traditional Latte?

The Italian-style latte, or Caffè Latte, is built from just two components: a small cup of espresso and a larger portion of milk—roughly 150 to 200 millilitres. This creates a drink where milk dominates in volume, unlike a cappuccino, where coffee and foam share equal balance. The preparation couldn’t be more straightforward: pour freshly brewed espresso into a cup, then add nearly boiling milk. There’s no fixed rule on the exact milk quantity—it’s fully adjustable based on personal taste.

How Does a Latte Differ from Other Espresso Milk Drinks?

Lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos may all start with espresso, but each drink handles milk differently:

• Latte: Mostly milk, with a small amount of espresso (1:3 to 1:5 espresso-to-milk ratio is common). The drink is smooth and milky, often served in taller glasses or cups.
• Cappuccino: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Typically around 30ml espresso, 100ml steamed milk, and 100ml milk foam. More textured and stronger in coffee flavour than a latte.
• Macchiato: Just espresso with a small dollop (around two tablespoons) of milk foam on top. Known in Italy as Espresso Macchiato, it highlights the coffee while marking it—‘macchiato’ means ‘stained’—with a touch of milk.

What About American-Style Lattes?

American lattes add an extra layer: foam. To make one, pour espresso into the cup, then add steamed milk heated to roughly 65–75°C, and finish with a thin cap—less than half a centimetre—of cold milk foam. This is the style commonly served at global chains like Starbucks. It layers the drink into three distinct parts: espresso at the bottom, hot milk in the middle, and foam on top.

Why Does Milk Matter So Much in a Latte?

It turns out, for many people—especially Italians—the appeal of a latte isn’t the espresso itself, but how that espresso transforms ordinary milk into something rich and satisfying. Only a well-brewed espresso can bring out the best in milk, adding complexity and depth to what would otherwise be a plain dairy drink. In fact, the quality of the espresso crema plays a major role in how well the milk integrates and how the final drink tastes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much milk is in a traditional latte?

A traditional Italian latte contains 150 to 200 millilitres of milk, paired with a single shot of espresso (about 30ml). The milk volume significantly outweighs the espresso, giving the latte its characteristic smooth and milky profile.

What’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

A latte has more milk and less foam than a cappuccino. A typical cappuccino uses a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and foam, while a latte is mostly milk with a small base of espresso and little to no foam.

What’s an American latte?

An American latte includes a layer of cold milk foam (less than 0.5cm thick) on top of steamed milk and espresso. The milk is heated to around 65–75°C, and the foam is added after pouring the steamed milk.

What is an espresso macchiato?

An espresso macchiato, or simply macchiato in Italy, is an espresso shot topped with about two tablespoons of milk foam. The foam ‘marks’ the espresso, slightly altering its colour without overpowering the coffee flavour.

Can I use any espresso for a latte?

Yes, but the better the espresso, the better the latte. A high-quality shot with good crema enhances the milk’s texture and taste. For home or shop use, blends optimised for milk drinks—like those with rich body and stable crema—are ideal.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Lattes

For latte drinkers, FrontStreet Coffee offers several blends tailored to milk-based drinks. Their Classic Blend is designed specifically for espresso machines and delivers rich crema, even with non-professional equipment—making it ideal for smooth, milky drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. The Black Cocoa Blend is a high-value option with bold body and deep flavours, great for shops watching costs without sacrificing taste. For fruity, approachable profiles, the Strawberry Candy Espresso brings a sweet softness that complements milk well, appealing to those who prefer less bitterness in their milk coffee. All three blends work reliably for crafting balanced, enjoyable lattes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.