If you are a coffee enthusiast or just beginning your coffee journey, it is essential to understand the key differences between two of the most beloved coffee beverages: latte and espresso.
Whether you search for coffee shops Royal Oak, MI or prefer drinking coffee at home, these two beverages are different and rather peculiar.
Below is a brief guide to assist in these traditional coffee cups’ differentiation, taste, and characteristics.
Understanding Espresso and Latte
Expresso is brewed from finely ground concentrated coffee under the high pressure of hot water. Served a shot size 2-3 oz, they offer a very intense flavor and, at times, are garnished with crema.
While a latte is prepared using espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, and thus, the drink is creamy and less acidic.
Lattes are slightly bigger in size, starting from 8 oz, and can be served with syrups, flavors, and elaborate Latte designs.
Key Differences: Flavor and Texture
In terms of taste, there are significant variations between espresso and lattes. Espresso is a concentrated dark roast that is smooth to exhale and contains a robust coffee flavor.
Lattes temper the taste of espresso by incorporating steamed milk, which makes the taste smooth and grainy.
Where espresso is pretty much just coffee, lattes are approximately 60 percent milk, thus having less body.
Texturally, espresso is highly compact with the gold crema, while milk foam has a smoother, creamy finish in lattes.
Caffeine Content and Serving Size
Despite the fact that espresso is often described as concentrated or dense, it contains the same amount of caffeine as a standard latte. An original espresso shot is about equal to 63 milligrams of caffeine.
However, because lattes are larger (8-12 ounces), the coffee component contains less caffeine, and the milk dilutes it.
Espresso is a concentrated product that users only consume between 1 and 2 oz, while lattes, due to milk addition, provide a weaker coffee flavor since only 1/3 of the content is coffee.
Preparation Methods and Customization
The other difference, which is also very important when talking about the drinks, is the preparation method of the drinks.
Expresso is brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee to form a small but strong cup of coffee.
On the other hand, a latte has milk steaming and espresso brewing in order to get just the right combination of milk and coffee.
This creates virtually limitless opportunities for the customization of beverages by using flavored syrups, milk products, and milk froths.
Choosing the Right Drink for You
When deciding between a latte and espresso, consider this: by opting for espresso, you can get brand, full-bodied with no grit to it coffee should you have a hankering for it.
On the other hand, if you Fancy something in between and are not a big fan of foam, then you should go for a latte.
Delicious Coffee Combinations to Explore
If you want to experience new tastes, do not hesitate to try new types of coffee and novelties such as cappuccino, macchiato, and iced coffee in a day.
Welcome to the world of coffee, and open yourself to the new tastes and texture profiles right up your alley!
