Caffè latte
Vegetarian
A large, gentle coffee of espresso and plenty of steamed milk with a thin layer of silky microfoam on top.
Caffè latte is an Italian hot drink from Italy, ready in about 4 minutes and made with espresso and milk. It serves 1 and is rated intermediate to cook.
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 2 min
- Total
- 4 min
- Serves
- 1
- Level
- Intermediate
- Calories
- 141
Method
Step 1
Pull a double espresso (opens in a new tab) into a warmed 300 ml cup or glass.
Step 2
Steam the milk (opens in a new tab), letting in only a little air for the first few seconds (it should grow by about 10–15%), then roll it in a whirlpool until it reaches 60–65 °C.
Food safety: Steam wands and freshly steamed milk are scalding: purge the wand away from your hand and wipe it straight after use.
Step 3
Tap and swirl the jug until the milk (opens in a new tab) looks like wet paint. Pour from a little height into the centre of the espresso (opens in a new tab), then bring the jug close to finish with a thin white layer or a simple heart.
- 1 min
Step 4
Sweeten to taste and serve.
About this dish
- Origin
- Italy · Commonly attributedCoffee with milk is an Italian home drink; the café-style latte with microfoam was shaped by US and other espresso bars.Also popular in United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, GermanyMore food from Italy
- Dish
- Breakfast · Brunch · Snack · Hot drinks
- Cooking method
- Steamed
- Taste
- creamy, mild, bitter
- Diet
- Vegetarian (lacto-ovo) · No gluten ingredients · No nut ingredients · Low-carbWithout the optional extras: Whole-food focused, No added sugarWith the listed swaps: Vegan, Plant-based, Ovo-vegetarian, Dairy-freeWorked out from the ingredients. How labels work
All labels
Vegetarian (lacto-ovo) · Eggetarian · Lacto-vegetarian · Pescatarian · Flexitarian-friendly · No gluten ingredients · Egg-free · No nut ingredients · Alcohol-free · Pork-free · Beef-free · Low-carb · Low-fat · Low-sodium - Good for
- Everyday
- Techniques
- Steaming
Allergens
- Contains, can be adapted: Milkfrom milk
Based on typical versions of these ingredients and not verified allergen-free. Brands differ and cross-contact happens, so always check labels. For severe allergies, follow your clinician’s advice.
Nutrition
141 kcal per serving
Calculated1 serving ≈ 263 g · recipe makes 1
Where the energy comes from
- Protein 20%
- Carbohydrate 33%
- Fat 47%
| Nutrient | Per serving | Per 100 g* |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 141 kcal | 54 kcal |
| Protein | 7.2 g | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrate | 11.5 g | 4.4 g |
| Net carbohydrate | 11.5 g | 4.4 g |
| Sugars | 11.4 g | 4.4 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 7.4 g | 2.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 4.3 g | 1.6 g |
| Trans fat | — | — |
| Cholesterol | 23 mg | 9 mg |
| Sodium | 102 mg | 39 mg |
| Salt equivalent | 0.3 g | 0.1 g |
Vitamins & minerals per serving
- Potassium
- 341 mg
- Calcium
- 257 mg
- Iron
- 0.1 mg
- Magnesium
- 51 mg
- Vitamin A (RAE)
- 104 µg
- Vitamin C
- 0 mg
- Vitamin D
- 2.9 µg
- Vitamin B12
- 1 µg
- Folate (DFE)
- 12 µg
How these numbers were made
- Calculated from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) per-100 g values and the listed quantities.
- *Per 100 g of combined raw ingredients; the cooked dish may weigh more or less.
- Optional ingredients are not included: sugar.
- “—” means the value isn’t known for enough of the ingredients; it is never zero by default.
- Values are estimates for guidance, not for medical dosing. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. fdc.nal.usda.gov.
Good to know
Tips
- For latte art the milk must be glossy with no visible bubbles; swirl constantly until you pour.
Common mistakes
- Ordering a 'latte' in Italy gets you a glass of milk — ask for a caffè latte.
Storage
- Make to order and drink straight away; the milk foam collapses and the coffee loses its aroma within minutes.
Variations
- Spiced latte: Add a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg to the milk before steaming.
- Iced latte: See the iced latte recipe: cold milk over ice with espresso on top.
Original editorial recipe · FriendsPantry editorial · Not yet independently reviewed · Added · Updated
Recipe DNA
How this dish is built
Less sweet, dairy-free, caffeine-free or for more people — the original stays as it is.
Customise in Sip & BlendReviews & corrections
Reviews come from signed-in cooks and appear after a moderator checks them. We never show made-up ratings.
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