How the Viennese Invented the Original Latte

Next time you order a latte, remember: you’re drinking a piece of 17th-century Viennese military strategy and Polish diplomacy. But how did a fortified city under siege lead to the creation of one of the world’s most beloved coffee drinks? The story isn’t about baristas or espresso machines—it’s about war, refugees, and a clever use of surplus coffee beans.

The very first latte-like coffee—a milky, filtered coffee drink—was invented in Vienna in 1683, when Viennese entrepreneur Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki added milk to filtered coffee to suit local tastes, creating what we now recognise as the original ‘caffè latte.’

The Siege That Changed Coffee Forever

In 1683, Vienna faced a crisis: the Ottoman Empire launched its second major siege of the city. Christian forces, including the Polish army, had a pact to aid Vienna—but only if someone could get word through the Turkish lines. Enter Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki (also known as Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki or Franz Georg Kolschitzky), a Viennese man fluent in Turkish who volunteered for the dangerous mission.

Dressed as a Turk and using his language skills, Kulczycki slipped through the Ottoman blockade, crossed the Danube, and reached the Polish king. His message triggered a successful joint Polish-Austrian counterattack. The Ottomans retreated in chaos, leaving behind vital supplies—including 500 sacks of coffee beans, which they had looted from Arab lands and refused to share with non-Muslims.

From Enemy Spoils to Café Culture

Nobody in Vienna knew what to do with the strange beans. Muslim tradition consumed coffee thick, unfiltered, and bitter—including the grounds. But Kulczycki recognised their value. As a reward for his bravery, he claimed the 500 sacks and opened Vienna’s first coffeehouse, “Blue Bottle,” in 1683.

At first, business was slow. Locals disliked the thick, sludgy, bitter brew that resembled the Ottoman style. Kulczycki solved the problem by filtering out the grounds and adding copious amounts of milk—creating a smoother, milder drink far more palatable to European tastes. This milk-and-coffee mix was the prototype of what we now call a latte.

What Exactly Is a Latte?

Today, a ‘latte’ typically means an espresso mixed with steamed milk and a small amount of foam. But the original Viennese version was essentially filtered coffee with warm milk—no espresso involved, as the espresso machine wouldn’t be invented until the 19th century. The term ‘latte’ is simply Italian for ‘milk,’ and in English-speaking countries, ‘latte’ has come to mean a milky espresso drink, but its roots are in this 17th-century Viennese milk coffee innovation.

Kulczycki’s adaptation led to Vienna’s long-standing café culture, famously inspiring the saying: “I am not in the coffeehouse, I am on my way there.” Even today, coffeehouses remain central to Viennese identity, and the city credits Kulczycki with kickstarting it all—with a little help from some forgotten Ottoman coffee beans.

The Role of Viennese Coffeehouses

Vienna’s coffeehouses became more than places to drink—they were cultural institutions. Patrons would linger for hours reading newspapers, playing chess, or discussing politics. Milk in coffee made the drink milder and longer-sipping, ideal for these social spaces. The tradition helped solidify coffee, especially when mixed with milk, as a staple of urban European life.

How Viennese Coffee Influenced Modern Milk Drinks

While the modern latte is prepared with espresso, steamed milk, and microfoam using an espresso machine, the original idea of mixing coffee with milk to create a smoother, more approachable drink started in Vienna. This innovation laid the groundwork for later milk-based coffee beverages like cappuccinos and flat whites. Modern cafés may use espresso, but the concept of balancing strong coffee with creamy milk traces back to Kulczycki’s filtered milk coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the latte?

The original milky coffee drink that led to the latte was created by Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki (or Franz Georg Kolschitzky), a Viennese man of Polish origin, in 1683. He filtered coffee and added milk to cater to local tastes using coffee beans abandoned by the retreating Ottoman army after the Siege of Vienna.

Was the original latte made with espresso?

No. The original latte-like drink from 17th-century Vienna was made with filtered coffee, not espresso. Espresso machines were not invented until the late 19th century. The term 'latte' refers to the milk in the drink, and the Viennese version used warm milk with filtered coffee.

What did Viennese people do with the Ottoman coffee beans?

At first, Viennese people didn’t know how to use the 500 sacks of coffee beans left by the Ottomans after their retreat in 1683. They were used to Ottoman-style thick, unfiltered coffee and found the bitter, sludgy drink unappealing. Entrepreneur Kulczycki adapted it by filtering out the grounds and adding milk, leading to the first proto-latte.

Where was the first coffeehouse in Vienna?

The first coffeehouse in Vienna, called “Blue Bottle,” was opened by Franciszek Jerzy Kulczycki in 1683. It served the first milk-added coffee drink in Europe, which later evolved into the modern latte.

How did milk change coffee drinking in Europe?

Adding milk to coffee made the drink smoother, less bitter, and more palatable to European tastes. This innovation helped popularize coffee in non-Muslim regions and laid the foundation for modern milk-based coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Lattes

For crafting a classic latte, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend delivers rich crema and a smooth body, making it ideal for milk drinks. Its traditional Mannose-style profile ensures easy extraction and a velvety mouthfeel. For a fruitier twist, try the Strawberry Candy Espresso, which adds a sweet, candy-like dimension when steamed with milk. Both blends are optimized for home and commercial espresso setups, ensuring consistent results. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.