How Vienna Gave the World the First Latte

Ever wondered where the latte really comes from? Most people assume it’s an Italian invention—but the truth is far older, and much more unexpected. The story begins not in Milan, but in 17th-century Vienna, during a dramatic siege that changed coffee forever.

The very first latte-style coffee—a milky, filtered drink made with coffee and plenty of steamed milk—was created in Vienna in 1683 by a man named Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki. He was the first to add milk to coffee in Europe, and he opened the city’s first coffeehouse to serve it.

The Siege That Brought Coffee to Vienna

In 1683, Vienna was under siege by the Ottoman Empire for the second time. The city’s fate rested on getting a message through enemy lines to Poland’s King Augustus II. That dangerous mission fell to Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki, a Viennese man who had traveled in the Ottoman lands and spoke fluent Turkish.

Kulczycki disguised himself, crossed the Turkish lines using his language skills, and rode to Poland to summon reinforcements. His bravery paid off: Polish and Austrian forces broke the siege, forcing the Ottomans to flee. In their hasty retreat, they left behind 500 sacks of green coffee beans—the first such beans seen in Europe outside the Muslim world.

From Bitter Brew to Creamy Classic

At the time, no one in Christian Europe knew what to do with the strange beans. Coffee was associated with the Ottoman world, and locals weren’t keen on drinking the thick, sludgy, unfiltered brew that Muslims enjoyed. The dark, bitter liquid was a hard sell.

Kulczycki, recognizing the beans’ potential, claimed the 500 sacks as his reward for saving the city. He used them to open Vienna’s first coffeehouse, called “The Blue Bottle.” But business was slow—until he got creative. To suit local tastes, he filtered out the grounds and added lots of hot milk. This new, mellow, milky coffee became an instant hit. This was the prototype of what we now call a latte.

What We Now Call a Latte

Today, when we say “latte,” we usually mean a café latte—an espresso shot mixed with steamed milk and a small amount of foam. But the original Viennese version wasn’t made with espresso (which wouldn’t be invented until the 20th century), but with traditionally brewed coffee, later evolving into various milk-and-coffee combinations.

The term “latte” is simply Italian for “milk,” and modern cafés worldwide have turned it into a whole drink category. But its roots go back to Kulczycki’s simple innovation: adding milk to coffee to make it more approachable. That idea caught on—and changed coffee culture forever.

The Vienna Coffee Legacy

Vienna’s coffeehouses became cultural institutions, known for their relaxed atmosphere, music, and, of course, coffee. The city’s love affair with coffee—and milk in coffee—set the stage for later European café traditions. And it all started with one man, a siege, and 500 sacks of beans.

Modern espresso-based milk drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites all trace some part of their lineage back to this early experiment in making coffee more palatable by mixing it with milk. Even today, the principle remains the same: balance bitterness with creaminess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the latte?

The first milk-based coffee drink resembling a latte was created in 1683 by Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki in Vienna. He added milk to filtered coffee to cater to local tastes, creating what is considered the original latte long before espresso existed.

Was the latte originally an Italian drink?

No. Although “latte” means “milk” in Italian, the milk coffee concept originated in Vienna in 1683. The modern espresso-based latte is an Italian development, but the original idea of mixing coffee with milk came from Vienna.

What did the first latte taste like?

The original latte was made with filtered coffee (not espresso), hot milk, and no foam. It was much milder and less bitter than traditional Ottoman coffee, as it lacked coffee grounds and was diluted with milk.

Why did people start adding milk to coffee?

Milk was added to make the strong, bitter, unfiltered Ottoman-style coffee more palatable to European tastes. Viennese coffee pioneer Kulczycki found that adding milk created a smoother, creamier drink that appealed to local drinkers.

Where did the term 'latte' come from?

“Latte” is Italian for “milk.” While the drink concept began in Vienna, the term “latte” as in “café latte” (coffee with milk) became popular in English-speaking countries through Italian-style espresso culture in the late 20th century.

What coffee did Kulczycki use in his original latte?

Kulczycki used 500 sacks of green coffee beans abandoned by the retreating Ottoman army in 1683. These were likely Arabian or Turkish-origin beans, roasted and brewed in the traditional manner, then filtered and mixed with milk.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based Coffee

For making classic milk drinks like lattes, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is an excellent starting point. Designed for espresso and milk drinks, it delivers rich crema and a smooth, rounded profile. For a fruitier twist, try the Strawberry Candy Espresso, which brings sweet berry notes that shine through steamed milk. Both blends are optimized for milk coffee balance and work well in home or commercial setups. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.