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Author:
Melissa Collins
Lattes and cappuccinos are highly popular products in coffee shops around the world. If you haven’t tried one yet, you’re missing out–these drinks are foamy, milky, and tasty.
Made with espresso, they’re a great way to get your caffeine kick. But what is the difference between them? It turns out, not much.
A latte is a delicious combination of espresso and steamed milk. When you receive your latte, you’ll find a thin layer of milk foam at the top of your cup. Sometimes baristas make patterns in the foam; this is known as latte art.
Lattes are especially well known for the variety of flavors you can add. Popular types of lattes include:
These flavors give an extra boost to the taste profile and pair well with espresso.
Cappuccinos are also a combination of espresso and steamed milk–but rather than a thin layer of foam, these drinks are composed evenly of ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ milk foam. People who enjoy frothy or foamy espresso drinks typically order cappuccinos.
Usually, cappuccinos do not have any syrup or flavor added. That’s another big factor to consider if you are getting one. If you prefer not to have flavored coffee drinks, you can rely on cappuccinos for that traditional coffee taste.
You might be thinking: if a latte and a cappuccino are made from the same ingredients, what’s the difference?
The main difference is texture. A cappuccino has more foam per volume. The foam you have on your latte, however, will likely be gone after a couple of sips. An easy way to remember which one has more milk is that the word “latte” means “milk” in English.
If you want that milkier taste, get a latte. If you want frothy foam and a stronger coffee taste, get a cappuccino. You can even ask your barista for a “dry” cappuccino, which means they steam the milk longer to get more foam. Enjoy the fluffy and airy texture of your dry cappuccino!
This depends on what “healthy” means to you. However, lattes have more calories because they have more milk. If you add flavoring to your latte, this will increase both the calorie count and the amount of sugar.
For example, a 12-ounce cappuccino has around 130 calories, and a 12-ounce unflavored latte has around 210. It also depends on whether you get non-fat milk or dairy alternatives such as oat or almond milk. Unless specified, most cappuccinos and lattes are made with whole milk.
Most people tend to prefer either a latte or a cappuccino. Some enjoy lattes for their fun flavors, others like the airiness of a cappuccino. Whichever one you prefer, it’s key to understand that there’s not much of a difference between them. Give each one a try to narrow down your personal coffee preference!