Can you call yourself a coffee lover if you don’t know the ins and outs of the drink?
Our page will give you the insights into knowing what makes a great latte and what makes the coffee incredibly versatile.
We’ll start off easy by asking: what is a latte? A latte is one of the most common coffees that casual coffee drinkers tend to favour. It's one of the milkier coffees, with one or two shots of espresso and a smooth layer of froth on top. It is pronounced laa-tay and first became popular in the early 1980s in Seattle, Washington.
What is latte coffee?
The latte is known for being one of the more simple and easier coffees to brew from home, with plenty of room for customisation. A true latte’s measurements consist of ⅓ espresso and ⅔ steamed milk, with a small layer of frothy milk foam to complete the drink’s classic look. Some people prefer flavoured syrups or a squirt of whipped cream to make the drink even more scrumptious; the combinations are endless.
What does latte mean?
Now that you know what a latte is, what does it mean?
The definition of a latte is an espresso mixed with steamed milk. The name comes from the Italian caffelatte or caffè latte meaning “coffee and milk.” In short, ‘latte’ is Italian for milk. So, be careful when asking for a latte in Italy—they may just hand you a glass of milk! Make sure to call it a caffè latte instead.
Is there a latte origin?
In California, Berkeley, The Caffe Mediterraneum claims Lino Meiorin, one of its early owners, "invented" the classic drink in the 1950s. It was only until the early 1980s that it started becoming popularised in Seattle, Washington.
But, what do we know? People have been mixing milk and coffee for centuries.
A deeper dive into the latte
Whilst lattes are free of added sugar, they still contain hidden sugars in the milk, amounting to 18 grams of milk sugar per 16 ounces, (220 ml). Using other milk supplements such as soy, almond or coconut milk will give you that same delicious milky smoothness. Using these same measurements, 63 calories and 2.56g of fat also make up the latte before adding extras such as syrups and whipped cream.
Latte or cappuccino?
Many people become confused by the latte and the cappuccino, as their appearances are very similar and are both frothy coffees. However, there are distinct ways of telling the two tasty drinks apart. Because the latte is a milky drink, when the espresso and steamed milk are mixed together, it creates a creamy texture, permitting it a more subtle flavour. Whereas, the cappuccino possesses a much stronger coffee taste as the drink has equal amounts of steamed and foamed milk mixed together.
Fun fact - it’s almost a tradition in most places to add a sprinkle of chocolate on a cappuccino, giving it a recognisable appearance.
What is in a Latte?
Our Range Of Coffee Beans
Grand Cru Espresso Beans
This is our 100% Arabica espresso coffee blend. It has the best Kenyan AA Grade beans for acidity, citrus notes and a chocolate after taste.
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Premier Cru
This is a blend of Brazilian Fine Cup beans from the Minas Gerais Plateau, Ugandan robustas from the Lake Victoria region, arabicas from Honduras and Bourbon varietal Arabica beans.
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Fairtrade
Discover our Fairtrade premium coffee beans today. We have a wide range of Fairtrade coffee beans, espresso beans and coffee in a bag available to order online.
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Decaffeinated Beans - 6 x 1Kg
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Bistro Montana - 340005 - (6x 1kg)
A coffee that tastes a little stronger and yet is harmonious: Cafe Cream Bistro Montana. Darker roast
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100x7g single sachets Decaffeinated Espresso
A darker decaffeinated coffee with hints of roasted almonds
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250g Decaffeinated Espresso Pouch
Each fully biodegradable bag contains Rainforest Alliance Certified. 100% Fresh Ground Arabica coffee.
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6 kg Clementines Espresso beans
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1kg Grand Cru Beans
ViewGrand Cru Espresso Beans
This is our 100% Arabica espresso coffee blend. It has the best Kenyan AA Grade beans for acidity, citrus notes and a chocolate after taste.
£23.15
ViewPremier Cru
This is a blend of Brazilian Fine Cup beans from the Minas Gerais Plateau, Ugandan robustas from the Lake Victoria region, arabicas from Honduras and Bourbon varietal Arabica beans.
£22.07
ViewFairtrade
Our Fairtrade espresso coffee is a blend of South America and Africa beans. A full flavoured espresso with a delightful aftertaste is the result.
£27.30
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What is latte coffee?
The latte is known for being one of the more simple and easier coffees to brew from home, with plenty of room for customisation. A true latte’s measurements consist of ⅓ espresso and ⅔ steamed milk, with a small layer of frothy milk foam to complete the drink’s classic look. Some people prefer flavoured syrups or a squirt of whipped cream to make the drink even more scrumptious; the combinations are endless.