Everything You Need to Know: Cappuccino vs. Latte
Ever wonder what the difference between a cappuccino and a latte? Let’s break down the differences and finally figure out what’s unique about these two individual drinks.
Have you ever wandered into a coffee shop confronted with so many coffee options and you didn’t know what to choose? What even is the difference between a cappuccino, a latte, a frappe, and an americano?
In order to have a great coffee tasting experience the suits your preferences, you have to know the differences between the coffee beverages.
First off, what is a cappuccino?
Near the beginning of its origin, a cappuccino mainly consisted of coffee, sugar, and cream, but it has evolved over time. The specific components of cappuccinos are 33% espresso, 33% steamed milk, and 33% of microfoam.
A real barista is definitely not shy about adding a lot of foam to this coffee. It can be customized according to people’s preferences. Similarly to choosing to add (or not) cacao powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and even sometimes whipped cream on top!
The origins of the cappuccino
The infamous cappuccino originated from Italy. It got its name from a very unique story about a group of Franciscan monks, who were also known as the Capuchin monks. They were well-known all throughout Italy for their benevolence and charity work.
These monks wore brown robes, and the Italian term for describing their robes was cappuccio. So when the coffee drink first entered Italy, the drink was named a cappuccino after the similarity to the monks's robes. The tan-brown color of the cappuccino drink closely resembled the brown robes the monks would wear.
What is a latte?
A classic latte is typically served in a nice, clear glass with a shot of espresso, a hefty amount of steamed milk, and a small layer of microfoam lying right on the top.
A latte consists of more milk than a cappuccino has, therefore, a latte is known to have a creamier, thicker consistency. A latte is known to satisfy your sweet tooth craving, make your body cozy, and still give that kick espresso has.
The origins of the latte coffee
The history of the latte also originates all the way back to Italy in 1867. Surprisingly, the latte was created by adding more milk into the cappuccino to accommodate the American tourists who would frequent the Italian coffee shops and complain that the cappuccino was way too strong.
However, native Italians were never a big fan of the latte drink which soon became known to be as caffe latte. Caffe means coffee translated in English and latte means milk, and this is how the name was born. However, many people - especially in the U.S. - just refer to the coffee beverage as a latte.
What is stronger cappuccino or latte
Cappuccinos usually have half the portion of steamed milk that lattes have, therefore their espresso content is higher than a latte. A cappuccino naturally just has more espresso in it and so the caffeine content is greater than a latte.
If you’re craving a real boost of energy to sustain you throughout a long day, a strong cappuccino is recommended. However, if you’re craving a mellow, warm drink, a latte is the go-to drink for you!
So, cappuccino or a latte?
If you’re looking for a stronger drink to kickstart your day, the cappuccino is more your style, but if you don’t want to be up all night then a latte is more your style.
Also, if you’re a fan of thick, fluffy foam at the top of your coffee, then it’s wise to reach for a cappuccino because it is packed with foam -- literally. If you hate the milk mustache, ditch the cappuccino and go for a latte that doesn’t have as nearly as much foam.
Make your cappuccino and latte with instant coffee at home
So, do you have to visit a coffee shop in Italy or go out of your way to experience a lovely, flavorful cappuccino? No! You can make it with high-quality instant coffee in the comfort of your very own home. The great news is that it doesn’t require hefty amounts of equipment. You just need you favorite instant coffee, milk of your choice, cream, sugar/honey, and a mason jar. Check out this video here for more instructions.
About latte art
Were you ever curious as to how baristas would get those immaculate, beautiful designs on top of the coffee they served? Although it may seem easy, latte art is truly a difficult skill to master. Baristas use steamed milk in order to create the design, but the milk must be heated to an almost perfect temperature in order for it to work.
You also must be delicate and tactful with your hands as you pour the milk into your coffee and begin to design away. In fact, the most famous and commonly created latte art designs are the heart and the Rosetta, a leaf-like art!
Fun facts about cappuccinos and lattes
- The most important factor when making a cappuccino is nailing the temperature and velvety texture of the steamed milk.
- A cappuccino is strong, so it is usually served in a 5 - 6 ounce cup.
- The legitimate first record of the cappuccino was somewhere in the 1930’s.
- The cappuccino only began to gain popularity in the U.S. around the 1980’s.
- People in Europe tend to drink cappuccinos in the morning alongside a sweet pastry for breakfast.
- There is a nationalized holiday dedicated for lattes and it is on October 7th.
- A man named David Schomer popularized latte art in the U.S. around the mid 1980’s.
There are so many ways to spice up your daily cup of caffeine each time! Don’t just stick with one thing, but be adventurous, and try different types of coffee that ultimately give you pleasure and spark joy!
There’s a whole another world of coffee out there.
