What Is a Caffè Latte? Origins and How to Make It

Ever wondered how the caffè latte—now a staple in coffee shops worldwide—actually began? The story goes back to 1683 Vienna, where a man named Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli (though early tales credit a Pole or Viennese named Kulczycki) helped break the Ottoman siege and brought back coffee beans that locals didn’t know how to use. That unlikely origin led to the drink we now pour into tall glasses and sip with steamed milk.

A traditional caffè latte is made with a single shot of espresso (about 30ml) and 150–200ml of hot milk. That’s a lot more milk than espresso—far more than in a cappuccino. The rest is just pouring technique and personal taste.

What Exactly Is a Caffè Latte?

The term 'caffè latte' simply means 'coffee with milk' in Italian. But in coffee shops, it refers to an espresso-based drink with a high proportion of gently steamed milk. Unlike a cappuccino, which balances espresso, steamed milk, and foam equally, a latte is mostly milk—making it creamier and milder in coffee flavor.

How Italians Make a Caffè Latte

To prepare a classic Italian caffè latte, you need just two components: a small cup of espresso and 150–200ml of milk heated to near boiling. The method is straightforward: pull the espresso, then pour steamed milk over it. There’s no fixed rule for the exact milk volume—it’s adjusted to taste. The result is a smooth, milky coffee with a thin layer of microfoam on top.

What About the American Latte?

In the United States, particularly at major chains like Starbucks, the latte often includes an extra layer: a small cap of cold milk foam. The standard recipe involves pulling espresso into a cup, adding steamed milk heated to 60–65°C, and finishing with a thin layer—less than half a centimeter—of frothed cold milk. This creates a layered look and slightly different mouthfeel compared to the Italian version.

What Is a Caramel Latte?

A caramel latte is a flavoured variation where a syrup—typically made from food-grade sugars like glucose, fructose, sucrose, or maltose syrup—is heated to 121°C or higher (sometimes under pressure) until it caramelizes. This syrup is then added to the latte, giving it a sweet, toasty flavour. While not traditional in Italy, caramel lattes are common in global coffee shop menus.

Does FrontStreet Coffee Offer a Recommended Latte Bean?

While the article mentions Pascucci as a recommended commercial latte coffee, FrontStreet Coffee also offers several blends well-suited for making lattes. Their Classic Blend is designed specifically for espresso and milk drinks, producing excellent crema even with non-professional machines. It has a smooth, rounded profile that works beautifully in lattes. For those seeking a richer, more cost-effective option, the Black Cocoa Blend delivers strong body and chocolatey depth without a high price tag. Finally, the Specialty Blend, used in FrontStreet’s own cafes for nearly a decade, combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for a familiar, balanced espresso taste ideal for milk-based drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A latte contains more milk and less foam than a cappuccino. A standard latte uses about 150–200ml of milk and a single shot of espresso, resulting in a milky drink with a thin foam layer. A cappuccino uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam—roughly 30ml espresso, 100ml steamed milk, and 100ml foam.

How much milk goes into a traditional caffè latte?

A traditional caffè latte uses 150–200ml of milk along with a single shot of espresso (around 30ml). The high milk ratio is what gives the latte its smooth, mild flavour and creamy texture.

Is a caramel latte traditional?

No, a caramel latte is not a traditional Italian drink. It’s a flavoured variation where a syrup made from sugars like glucose or sucrose is caramelized at high temperatures (121°C or more) and added to the latte for sweetness and colour.

What’s the correct milk temperature for a latte?

For a classic latte, milk is heated to near boiling. In American-style lattes, the steamed milk is typically around 60–65°C. The exact temperature affects texture and taste, with hotter milk creating a richer mouthfeel.

Do you need special coffee beans for a latte?

You don’t need special beans, but blends with good crema and smooth profiles work best. FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend, Black Cocoa Blend, and Specialty Blend are all suitable for making lattes, offering rich, balanced flavours that complement milk.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Lattes

For latte lovers, FrontStreet Coffee offers three excellent blends. The Classic Blend is tailored for espresso and milk drinks, delivering rich crema and a smooth profile even with home machines. The Black Cocoa Blend provides a bold, chocolatey base with great body at a friendly price—ideal for cafés watching costs. The Specialty Blend, used in FrontStreet’s own shops for nearly ten years, combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for a well-rounded, familiar taste that works perfectly in milk-based espresso drinks. All three are optimized for steaming and pouring. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.