The Origins of Latte Coffee

Ever wondered where the latte—your go-to milky coffee—actually comes from? Most people just know it as a creamy coffee shop staple, but the story behind it is far more surprising: it began in 17th-century Vienna, when a former traveler turned coffee pioneer turned a wartime surplus into the first blended coffee and milk drink.

The original latte was invented in 1683 by Viennese coffeehouse founder Franz Georg Kolschitzky. After helping break the Turkish siege of Vienna, he claimed 500 bags of abandoned coffee beans as his reward. To suit local tastes, he filtered out the grounds and added lots of milk—creating the first version of what we now call a latte.

The Story Begins: Vienna Under Siege

In 1683, Vienna was under attack—for the second time—by the Ottoman Empire’s massive army. Christian Europe’s fate hinged on a message reaching Poland’s King Augustus II. But who could get through the Turkish lines?

Enter Kolschitzky, a Viennese man who had traveled in Turkey and spoke fluent Turkish. Volunteering for the dangerous mission, he disguised himself, crossed the Danube, and successfully summoned Polish reinforcements. Alongside the Viennese army, the Poles forced the Ottomans to retreat.

The Unexpected War Prize

The fleeing Ottoman troops left behind an incredible haul—including 500 bags of coffee beans. These beans were part of the Muslim world’s closely guarded trade secret. In Vienna, nobody knew what to do with them. Except Kolschitzky.

He recognized the beans as the source of the exotic drink he’d encountered in Turkey. He asked for the coffee as his reward for saving the city—and used it to open Vienna’s first coffeehouse, “Blue Bottle.”

From Bitter Brew to Beloved Drink

But early Viennese coffee drinkers didn’t take to the thick, strong, unfiltered Turkish-style coffee. Unlike in the Muslim world, locals weren’t keen on drinking the grounds, and the intense, bitter flavor didn’t catch on.

Kolschitzky had a breakthrough idea: he filtered the coffee to remove the grounds and added large amounts of milk. The result was smoother, milder, and much more appealing to local palates. This milk-forward coffee became an instant hit—and is the direct ancestor of the latte we know today.

What We Now Call a Latte

Today, when we say “latte,” we usually mean a milky espresso drink: steamed milk poured over a shot (or more) of espresso, often with a small amount of microfoam. In Italy, “caffè latte” literally means “coffee with milk,” and is simply that—espresso and hot milk.

In the U.S., however, “latte” typically refers to a tall drink with a lot more milk—usually a double shot of espresso with around 200ml of steamed milk and a light layer of foam. In many American cafés, what locals call a “latte” uses textured milk rather than pure foam, making it more of a milk-heavy coffee blend than a true Italian-style caffè latte.

Meanwhile, some modern versions replace milk foam entirely with microfoam or use plant-based alternatives. But the essence remains: a smooth, milky coffee drink built on a 17th-century Viennese innovation.

The First Café and Its Legacy

Kolschitzky’s “Blue Bottle” coffeehouse became a landmark in Vienna. While the original location is long gone, the tradition he started continued—transforming how Europe drank coffee. By adding milk, he made a once polarizing beverage into a comfort drink for the masses.

His approach also laid the groundwork for countless milk-based coffee drinks that followed, including the cappuccino, flat white, and, of course, the modern latte.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the word 'latte' come from?

The word “latte” is simply the Italian word for “milk.” In Italian, “caffè latte” means “coffee with milk.” The English word “latte” is a shortened, anglicized version used to refer specifically to the milk-and-espresso drink popularized globally.

Who first added milk to coffee?

Viennese coffee pioneer Franz Georg Kolschitzky is credited with being the first to add milk to coffee in a deliberate way to create a smoother, more drinkable beverage. He did this in 1683 after acquiring 500 bags of Turkish coffee beans and founding Vienna’s first coffeehouse.

Is a latte originally an Italian drink?

Not exactly. While “caffè latte” (coffee with milk) exists in Italy, it’s a simple drink of espresso and hot milk. The milk-heavy, foam-topped latte popular in the United States and other countries evolved later, inspired by European milk-in-coffee traditions but not identical to the original Italian version.

Why did Kolschitzky add milk to coffee?

Kolschitzky added milk to suit the tastes of local Viennese drinkers, who found traditional Turkish coffee too bitter and unpleasant to drink without filtering. By filtering out the grounds and adding milk, he made the coffee milder and more appealing.

What beans were used in the first latte?

The first latte was made using coffee beans seized from the Ottoman army during the 1683 siege of Vienna. These beans had been part of the Muslim world’s exclusive trade and were previously unknown in Europe.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk-Based Drinks

For crafting great lattes, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is a top choice. Designed for espresso and milk drinks, it delivers rich crema and a smooth, rounded profile ideal for blending with steamed milk. Alternatively, the Strawberry Candy Espresso offers a naturally sweet, fruity profile that shines through milk. For a more classic taste closer to traditional Italian espresso, the Specialty Blend provides a balanced, familiar flavor. All three work well in milk-based coffee and are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.