Difference Between Latte and Cappuccino

Main Difference – Latte vs Cappuccino

Latte and cappuccino are both coffee drinks made with espresso and milk. However, they are not the same; there are differences between latte and cappuccino based on the ingredients, origins, and characteristics. The main difference between latte and cappuccino is that Latte typically contains 1/3 espresso and about 2/3 hot milk whereas Cappuccino typically contains 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk, and 1/3 foamed milk.

What is Latte

Latte or caffe latte literally means coffee milk. It is made with of hot steamed milk and coffee.The coffee can be replaced with another drink such as tea, matcha, mate or even cocoa.

Steaming of the milk which is also known as texturing the milk also contributes to the overall quality of café. When the milk is textured correctly, it helps to get the milk to the desired drinking temperature and generates a micro foam, which is created when the air is incorporated into the milk.

A latte typically contains 1/3 espresso and about 2/3 hot milk; this is topped with a layer of foamed milk. This layer is typically about 5mm in thickness. But Italian coffee does not contain foamed milk; it is only outside Italy we see this trend of using foamed milk. In Italy, latte is also prepared at home.

Café latte is becoming widely popular among coffee lovers, and latte can be found any coffee shop around the world. Latte art has also contributed to this popularity of latte. Latte art is a style of pouring steamed milk into the espresso to create a pattern or design on the top of the latte.

What is Cappuccino

A cappuccino is also a popular Italian coffee drink that is made with espresso, hot milk, and steamed-milk foam. The ratios of the ingredients are 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk, and 1/3 foamed milk.
Other ingredients such as spices and flavorings can also be added to this drink. Sometimes ingredients such as fruits and protein are also added to cappuccinos. Some shops add a drizzle of chocolate or cocoa powder on top of it.

Traditionally, cappuccinos have a two-centimeter-thick layer of foam on top. While cappuccinos are milky, it may be a stronger coffee flavor than its counterparts.