What’s the difference between a cappuccino and a latte? Is a flat white not just a cappuccino?
On the drive to the office this morning, I found myself explaining different servings of coffee to my daughter because she wanted to know what “the fluffy stuff” in my cup was. Now I don’t think a four-year-old is going to make a break for the counter at home and start grinding and tamping coffee or steaming milk any time soon, but it got me thinking that I’ve never put together a post on the differences between common coffee drinks – an Americano, cappuccino, latte and a flat white.
It all starts with an espresso, so let’s break it down.
Read also: 17 Irish coffee roasteries delivering fresh beans straight to your door
First off, what is an espresso?
Most of my days start with an espresso and a lot of my meals end with an espresso. Not out of necessity, but more because it’s the quintessential coffee concentrate and the method – I feel – that gets you as close as possible to the real taste and feel of the coffee. It’s made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans (anywhere from 16g to 20g), resulting in a small, intense shot of coffee.
Given its strength, drinking and enjoying an espresso can be an acquired taste. However, grind and tamp 18g of coffee into a portafilter, pump hot water through it at 9 bars of pressure for 25-30 seconds and you’re left with a full-bodied shot of coffee, packed with flavour and topped with a light golden crema. Think bold flavours, intense aromas and the foundation for everything that comes after it.
What is an Americano?
So almost everything on this list starts with an espresso, Americano included. What it boils down to (pun intended), is that an Americano is simply an espresso diluted with water. Espresso goes in first, water goes in next. Sometimes it’s a 50:50 affair, though typically you’re looking at a 2:1 ratio for water to espresso, though this can vary according to taste or whoever’s making your Americano.
Going by lore, the term Americano comes from American soldiers in World War II who couldn’t really take the strong espresso served up in Italy or France and would instead add water to the espresso to make it more palatable, mimicking more of the then-American style of coffee. A good Americano will still deliver on the flavours and aromas of an espresso, albeit with less of a punch as you’ve now lightened the espresso by adding more water. This worsens again if you’re heavy on the milk and sugar.
What is a cappuccino?
For those who like milk with their coffee, a cappuccino is next on the list and done right, combines espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk in equal proportions. As a serving size, you’re looking at a cup of around 150-180ml in size. The cappuccino starts with an espresso (1/3 your cup), adding steamed milk (1/3) and topping up with foamed or frothed milk (the final 1/3). With its origins steeped in Italian culture, a cappuccino should be rich in flavour with a creamy texture.
Artwork on top I can take or leave as most of them are consumed on the move anyway – but I can appreciate it all the same. As a topping, a cappuccino might get a dusting of chocolate or cinnamon.
Watch: How to make a cappuccino
What is a latte?
So if a cappuccino combines espresso, steamed and foamed milk in equal parts, then what’s a latte? Again, with its origin in Italian culture, a caffè latte or ‘caffè e latte’ combines espresso and steamed milk with a thin layer of foam on top. The ratio here is more 1/3 espresso, typically with a double shot, with 2/3 milk. The clue is in the name – caffè latte effectively translating as ‘coffee and milk’. With a suggested serving size closer to 240ml, the extra milk allows for more scope for ‘latte art’. Lattes will typically by smooth, creamy and – thanks to the extra milk – lighter on the coffee front than a cappuccino.
What is a flat white?
With its roots in the southern hemisphere (thank you New Zealand and Australia), a flat white is effectively the middle ground between a cappuccino and a latte, using espresso and microfoamed milk. Like a latte, you’re taking a double shot of espresso (1/3) and pairing it with 2/3 steamed milk, a light layer of micro-foam on top. Serving-wise, you’re going for the cappuccino size (150-180ml)
But wait… there’s more
There is indeed. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, this handy video will take you through more options and differences for your next cup of coffee.
And that’s it?
For the most part, yes, that’s it. Now, at least if you’re serving up some coffeeat home, or you’ve ever wondered the difference, then now you know!
