Cappuccino vs latte, what are the differences?

Discover the essential differences between cappuccino and café latte, two classics beloved by coffee enthusiasts. This article immerses you in the specifics of each beverage, detailing their proportions and textures, while offering you practical tips to prepare them like a professional. Let yourself be guided through this caffeinated universe and improve your skills with our tips!

Cappuccinos and café lattes are among the essential recipes in the world of coffee. Everyone has heard of them, but do you really know their differences? And above all, do you know how to prepare them correctly? Let’s look at this together.

The differences between cappuccino and café latte

In practice, café latte and cappuccino are two quite similar beverages. But a few important details distinguish them. The main difference lies in the proportions of espresso, milk, and milk foam.

• A cappuccino contains more foam and less liquid milk.
• A café latte, on the other hand, contains more liquid milk and a fine and creamy foam, ideal for latte art.

Another element: cappuccino can be sprinkled with chocolate powder, which gives it a sweeter and more chocolatey taste.
However, this habit varies by country: in Italy, it is rare to add chocolate, whereas in North America or Australia, it’s almost systematic.

The texture also differs:

• Cappuccino has a thick, airy foam rich in large bubbles.
• Café latte offers a smooth and silky foam, with small bubbles that facilitate latte art.

Cappuccino and café latte come in multiple variants: flavored cappuccino, caramel latte, or even gourmet recipes.

For example, discover my caramelized café latte, very close to a crème brûlée: recipe here.

In summary, the main differences are:

• The amount of foam
• The type of foam (large bubbles for a cappuccino, fine for a latte)
• The amount of liquid milk

How to prepare a cappuccino?

For a successful cappuccino, follow these steps:

1. Extract an espresso into a cup.
2. Steam cold milk until you get a thick foam.
3. Pour a little hot liquid milk.
4. Add approximately 2 to 3 cm of foam.
5. Sprinkle with cocoa powder (optional).

A tutorial video will come soon to guide you step by step through the preparation.

How to prepare a café latte?

Café latte requires a different approach:

1. Extract an espresso.
2. Steam milk to obtain a fine and creamy foam.
3. Pour the milk + foam mixture while creating, if possible, a latte art pattern.
4. Enjoy.