Latte

Latte, short for caffè latte (literally “milk coffee”), is an espresso topped with a large volume of steamed milk and a thin cap of foam, usually around 5 mm. It is the mildest and milkiest of the standard espresso-and-milk drinks, typically served in a 240 to 350 mL cup with one or two shots.

Why it matters: the high proportion of milk makes the coffee gentle and sweet, which is why lattes are a common entry point for new drinkers. It also gives the most canvas for latte art, since the glossy, fluid microfoam pours easily into patterns.

Compared with its cousins, a latte has more milk and less foam than a cappuccino, and is larger with more milk than a flat white. Because the espresso is so diluted, the choice of beans matters less to the average drinker, though a good shot still shows through. Order it when you want a long, comforting, coffee-forward-but-mellow drink. For the side-by-side, see latte-vs-flat-white-vs-cappuccino.