Cortado vs Latte
In todayβs world, there are a variety of different coffees you can order, making it overwhelming to stray from your well-known and loved cappuccino.
One of the reasons why we all stick to our usual is because we donβt actually know the difference between types of coffees. You might be asking yourself what's the difference between cortado, latte, and espresso anyway?
In this article, we explain the difference between a cortado and a latte, how to make them yourself, and why you should try ordering one the next time youβre at a cafe.
Whatβs the Difference?
Weβre sure that if youβve ever been inside a coffee shop, youβve seen latte and cortado on the menu but been too comfortable with your regular order that youβve skipped right past them.Β
Luckily for you, your coffee knowledge is about to expand and youβre going to see just how similar these two drinks are to your usual favorites.
What is a Cortado?
The cortado coffee originates in Spain and is known for its 1:1 milk to coffee ratio. The cortado is a small drink, with equal parts steamed milk to espresso and gets its name cortado, which roughly translates to βcut,β from the milk βcuttingβ through the strong espresso.Β
The other distinctive quality about the cortado is that itβs served in a glass tumbler rather than a porcelain or ceramic mug.
There are some variations to this drink, though. Some cafes foam the milk (itβs meant to be steamed), and others will adjust the ratio to 2:1, using a double espresso instead of a single.Β
What Does it Taste Like?
The cortado can be an intense drink considering the milk to coffee ratio. Most people are used to a more milky coffee like a cappuccino. This is because the ratio is 2:1, with the milk making up most of the drink.Β
However, because itβs so small, the cortado can be sipped gently and you can properly enjoy the fullness and richness of the coffee flavor.Β
What is a Latte?
Now, onto the latte.
The latte is most similar to the cappuccino, in that the milk to coffee ratio is unequal, with the milk being more prominent.
The latte, much like the espresso, originated in Italy. The cafe latte emerged after the espresso, becoming a popular breakfast drink thanks to the dairy to help give you some protein in the morning.Β
The lattes that weβre all familiar with now are spin-offs of the original latte, but still ring true in that theyβre espresso-based drinks with majority milk in them.Β
The distinctive factor of a latte is the smooth milk on top of the espresso. Unlike a cappuccino, but like a cortado, the latte uses steamed milk for a smoother texture.
This has led to the popular trend of latte-art, where you can create designs on the top of the smooth steamed milk layer.Β
What Does it Taste Like?
The latte can be a rich, creamy, and filling drink due to its high dairy content. If youβre drinking it with full-fat milk it can sometimes even be quite sweet due to the fat content.Β
The espresso flavor in latte gets fairly muted by the flavor of the milk, so itβs not nearly as strong as the cortado.Β
How to Make Each Drink
Now that weβve explained what each drink is, itβs time to show you how to make them.Β
First Step: Coffee
This might seem like an obvious point considering thereβs only coffee and milk in these two drinks, but the type of coffee you use is crucial.Β
With both drinks, like all espresso-based drinks, we like to use a medium to dark roast to really ensure that the coffee flavor is present.Β
The coffee flavor with a lighter roast is still noticeable, but a darker roast really pierces through the milk to make for a tastier drink.Β
How to Make a Cortado
Onto the cortado coffee recipe: youβll want to start with a nice coffee, preferably an espresso blend like this one as the coffee flavor is smoother and more intense.
You need to extract an espresso, so we recommend using a Moka pot, Aeropress, espresso machine, or a pod machine.Β
We donβt recommend using a french press or drip coffee machine as it will most likely either be too grainy or too weak.Β
Once youβve extracted your espresso, you want to steam your milk. We really recommend you use full-fat milk as the richness cuts through the intensity of the espresso, but you can use whatever you prefer.Β
If you have a steamer at home, now is the chance to use it. You want to gently steam your milk so itβs hot but not boiling. You can also use a milk frother if thereβs a setting that just steams it.Β
Combine the two in a glass tumbler so you can see the two layers, but feel free to mix them together.Β
And like all espresso-based drinks, itβs best served hot, so drink and enjoy.
How to Make a Latte
Because latte is milkier, we prefer using a darker blend like Embolden Dark Roast or this Midnight Roast as they provide a more full-bodied and stronger flavor.Β
Like the cortado, youβll want to start off with an espresso again.
Now for the milk: the most important thing about a latte is the milk. Similar to the cappuccino, the latte also uses the ratio of 2 parts milk and 1 part espresso.Β
For a latte, you want to steam all the milk, ensuring itβs nice and hot.Β
Once youβve steamed your milk, pour both liquids into a porcelain or ceramic mug. If youβre feeling fancy you can even dust some cocoa powder or cinnamon on top.Β
Similar Drinks
So now that you know about these two espresso-based options, letβs explore a few more that are similar.
Milk Drinks
In the same world of cappuccino, latte, and cortado, weβve also got the flat white and macchiato.Β
The flat white and latte are interchangeable, but when ordering from a shop just be sure to read the menu because one of them might have a small layer of foam on top of the steamed milk.
The macchiato is more similar to a cortado but even stronger. Itβs an espresso with a tiny bit of foam that marks it, just to take the edge off of the espresso.Β
Black Coffee Drinks
If you like the intense taste of strong espresso and donβt want a watery coffee, here are two perfect options for you.Β
The red-eye coffee is a long black coffee with a shot of espresso in it, giving you the chance to sip a long drink but still get the strong flavor profile that you like.Β
Similarly, black-eyed coffee is based on the same principle but instead of one shot of espresso, itβs two, so you really get that extra zing to your day.Β
Conclusion
Now you know the difference between a cortado and a latte and you have a bit more knowledge about coffee orders in general.
The next time youβre going to order your standard cappuccino, maybe opt for a cortado instead.
Cortado vs Latte FAQs
Weβve answered three of the internetβs most popular questions about these drinks below just in case you have the same questions.
Is Cortado Stronger Than Latte?
A cortado is not necessarily stronger than a latte.Β
If weβre basing this off the traditional coffee recipes, then both the drinks have just one shot of espresso each. In most cafes now you can order a double shot in any drink though.Β
If youβre talking about flavor profile, then yes, the cortado is stronger because there is less milk to dilute the flavor.Β
Should I Sweeten a Cortado?
You should drink your coffee the way you like it.Β
We like adjusting our flavor profiles by actually using flavored beans or grounds such as our Gingerbread Latte roast as it provides some different notes which take away the harshness of pure espresso.Β
Whatβs The Difference Between a Latte, Cappuccino, and Cortado?Β
The biggest difference between a latte, cappuccino, and cortado is the milk to espresso ratio.Β
Cortados are typically equal parts milk to espresso, while a latte and cappuccino are more similar. Both have 2 parts milk and 1 part espresso, but a cappuccino has a thick layer of foam, whereas a latte is just steamed milk with a tiny layer of foam.
Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking:
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