Are you curious about the difference between a latte and a cappuccino? They have a few similarities but are ultimately two different coffee drinks that you will see at just about any coffee house. It can be a bit confusing since both share the same ingredients, however, we’re here to explain exactly what is the difference between these two delicious coffee drinks. Let’s get into the difference between a latte vs cappuccino!
Table of Contents
Latte vs Cappuccino
What Is a Latte?
A latte is a coffee drink that is made with espresso, steamed milk, and microfoam. Traditionally, lattes are served in an 8-ounce glass. Lattes have espresso at the bottom, are filled mostly with steamed milk, and then are topped off with just a bit of microfoam. The drink is a blend of the ingredients.
What Is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is a coffee drink made with an even amount of espresso, steamed milk, and microfoam. Traditionally, a cappuccino comes in a 5-6 ounce size. The ingredients are more “stacked” rather than blended.
What They Have in Common
The two are both made with espresso, steamed milk, and microfoam.
What Is the Difference
Although both lattes and cappuccinos have espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth as the main ingredients, they are two different drinks. A latte has more steamed milk and less foam compared to a cappuccino. Lattes also blend the espresso with the frothed milk, rather than layer it.
On the other hand, cappuccinos are layered or stacked. They also have an even amount of espresso, steamed milk, and milk froth. It’s made of 33% espresso, 33% steamed milk and 33% milk foam. Unlike lattes that have more steamed milk than espresso and a little bit of milk froth on top.
Traditional cappuccinos are typically served in a smaller portion than lattes. Although this may not the case at your local Starbucks or American coffee house. In other parts of the world, such as Italy, cappuccinos come in a 5 or 6-ounce mug, and lattes are serviced in an 8-ounce glass.
Another difference between lattes and cappuccinos is the taste. Since lattes have more steamed milk, they will taste milkier than cappuccinos. You’ll still be able to taste the espresso but it will be dulled down and the bitter taste won’t be as strong.
Lattes also tend to be made with flavored syrups because the espresso taste is dulled it doesn’t have to fight to be the most prominent taste which makes it pair well with other flavors like vanilla, chocolate or mocha.
Cappuccinos tend to have a more foamy taste since the foam is 33% of the drink. It will also taste well-rounded and the espresso taste blends nicely with the milk. It is overall quite smooth and well-balanced in taste.
Wrapping Up
So, in conclusion, while lattes and cappuccinos are both made with the same ingredients, they are prepared and served differently which results in a different taste and ultimately two different drinks.
One thing to keep in mind when deciding which one you want to make or buy is that cappuccinos are more well-rounded and evenly layered with the ingredients and they will taste foamier.
Lattes are more blended and have mostly steamed milk which results in a milky flavor that will dull down the espresso, making it taste less bitter or acidic.
Overall, both drinks are delicious and we recommend trying both to see which one fits your fancy! We hope you enjoyed our article on the difference between Latte vs Cappuccino drinks and the difference is much more clear now!