The Story Behind Caffè Latte and How It’s Made

Ever walked into a coffee shop and wondered why ‘latte’ means something totally different in Italy? Or how the milky coffee drink you love became a global staple? The word 'latte' simply means 'milk' in Italian—but worldwide, it’s come to define a specific style of coffee: espresso with steamed milk. Let’s break down where the name came from, how it’s made, and how it evolved into the drink you know today.

In short: a traditional Caffè Latte is 1:1 to 1:3 espresso to steamed milk (often around 30ml espresso and 150–200ml milk), with little or no foam. In the U.S., it often includes flavored syrup and a light layer of foam.

The Name: From Vienna to Italy

The word 'latte' is the Italian word for 'milk'. So if you just order 'latte' in Italy, you’ll get a glass of milk—no coffee. In English-speaking countries, 'latte' has become shorthand for 'Caffè Latte', the coffee-and-milk drink. The term 'café au lait' in French means the same thing, commonly called 'coffee with milk' or 'coffee au lait'.

The story behind the milk-in-coffee idea goes back to 1683 Vienna. During the Second Ottoman Siege, a Viennese man named Franz Georg Kolschitzky helped break the blockade by sneaking through Turkish lines to bring Polish reinforcements. After the Turks fled, they left behind coffee beans, which locals didn’t know how to use. Kolschitzky, who knew the value of the beans, opened a coffeehouse called 'The Blue Bottle'. At first, business was slow until he filtered out the coffee grounds and added lots of milk—creating an early version of the latte.

How to Make a Caffè Latte: Step-by-Step

To make a classic Caffè Latte, you’ll need: dark roasted coffee beans (about 7g per shot for a mug), an espresso machine, and fresh milk. Here’s the full process:

• Warm your cup, either with hot water or by placing it on the espresso machine’s warming tray.
• Grind your dark roast coffee and tamp it into the portafilter. Extract a 30ml shot of espresso using 20–25 seconds of brew time.
• (Optional) Add 6–8ml of chocolate or flavored syrup for variations like vanilla latte.
• Steam milk using the espresso machine’s steam wand. Keep the temperature below 90°C to avoid scalding and ruining the milk texture.
• Froth the milk to create microfoam, then knock out large bubbles with a spoon. Aim for a smooth, velvety texture.
• Pour the espresso into your cup, then gently pour the steamed milk over it while controlling the flow to create latte art if desired.

The key ratio is typically 1 part espresso to 3 parts milk, often resulting in a 1:1 to 1:3 brew ratio overall. That means about 30ml espresso and 90–200ml milk, depending on cup size.

Main Types of Latte Coffee

There are several recognized styles of latte, each with unique characteristics:

Italian Caffè Latte

This is a simple drink: a small shot of espresso (about 30ml) with 150–200ml of hot milk. No foam, or just a thin layer. It’s all about the milk-to-coffee balance.

American Latte

Americans often add a bit of milk foam on top. Starbucks-style lattes feature a shot of espresso, heated milk (60–65°C), and a thin layer (less than 0.5cm) of cold foam on top.

Macchiato (Espresso Macchiato)

This is not a latte—but often confused with one. It’s a shot of espresso with just a small dollop (usually two teaspoons) of milk foam on top, marking ('macchiando') the espresso.

Café au Lait (European Latte)

Popular in France, this is equal parts brewed espresso or dark coffee and hot milk, poured together into the cup at the same time. It often includes whipped cream on top and is served in larger cups than a typical latte.

Flavored Lattes: Example – Caramel Latte

Caramel lattes are made by adding caramel syrup to the espresso or milk. Caramel itself is a rich brown food coloring and flavoring agent made by heating sugars like sucrose or glucose above 121°C. While not traditional, flavored syrups like caramel are common in Western coffee shops.

Latte in China: A Familiar Favorite

In China, the latte is the most well-known style of espresso-based drink. It typically consists of espresso with an equal or greater amount of milk, making it smoother and sweeter than straight espresso. Both locals and newcomers find the milky taste more approachable. Like in Italy, many Chinese drinkers enjoy it as a breakfast drink. The key difference? In China and the West, milk is usually steamed with a machine, whereas the French café au lait traditionally uses boiled milk.

A typical Chinese-style latte follows a 1:1 coffee-to-milk ratio (by volume). Steps include warming the cup, pulling a shot of espresso, steaming the milk, and combining them. Milk usually makes up more than half the drink—often 70% milk, 20% foam, and just 10% espresso. That balance defines the latte’s gentle, accessible profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (about 30ml espresso, 30ml milk, 30ml foam), making it foamier and lighter. A latte has much more milk and little or no foam—typically a 1:3 espresso-to-milk ratio.

Do you put milk or espresso first in a latte?

In a traditional latte, the espresso is poured into the cup first, followed by steamed milk and then a small amount of microfoam. This helps integrate the flavors and allows for latte art on top.

Can I make a latte without an espresso machine?

You can approximate a latte using strong brewed coffee (like AeroPress or Moka Pot coffee) with steamed or heated milk. However, you won’t get true espresso crema or the same intensity without an espresso machine.

What’s the ideal coffee-to-milk ratio for a latte?

A standard latte uses a 1:3 to 1:5 espresso-to-milk ratio. That’s roughly 30ml espresso and 90–150ml milk, but can go up to 200ml depending on taste and cup size. Milk should make up the majority of the drink.

Why is it called a latte in English?

In English, 'latte' has come to mean 'Caffè Latte', the coffee-and-milk drink. Italians just say 'latte' for milk, so ordering just 'latte' gets you milk, not coffee. The full term 'Caffè Latte' clarifies the drink.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Blends for Lattes

For the best latte at home, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—known for its rich crema and smooth body, it’s ideal for milk drinks. The Black Cocoa Blend offers deep, chocolatey notes and strong crema, perfect for flavored or classic lattes. For fruity sweetness, the Strawberry Candy Espresso Blend adds a soft berry note that plays well with milk. All three blends are optimized for espresso brewing and steam milk applications. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.