Sometimes it seems as though there are as many different kinds of coffee drinks as there are coffee drinkers and knowing the differences can help you find exactly which hot beverage is going to give you the pick-me-up you need. The main thing to know is exactly what each drink is made from, particularly when it comes to milk.
The latte is widely known as the coffee that has the most milk, and the milkiest flavour, but there are many other types of coffee that are characterised by their milkiness. What you need to know is: from cappuccinos to flat whites, from Café au Lait to affogato, exactly how much milk is in each of these coffees?
This article will go into detail about what you can expect to find in most of the coffees that you might see on a menu, and from the most to the least, exactly how milky are each of these delicious beverages?
How Much Milk is in a Latte?
The patriarch of the milky coffee family, the latte is known for having a stronger milk flavour than any other coffee you can buy. The latte contains the most milk out of all of the coffees on this list, made up of a shot of espresso, twice as much steamed milk, and only a short layer of foamed milk.
How Much Milk is in a Flat White?
While the flat white does contain almost as much steamed milk as a latte, its lack of foam makes it less milky overall. A flat white is usually made up of a bit more steamed milk than espresso and almost no foam, though the ratios do tend to vary, and is a common choice for milk lovers.
How Much Milk is in a Cappuccino?
Another very milky option, the cappuccino is notably foamier than the latte and has a slightly stronger coffee flavour as a result. For one shot of coffee in a cappuccino, you add the same amount of steamed milk and foamed milk, so it is made up of 1/3 of each, making it a gentle but still flavourful drink.
How Much Milk is in a Mochaccino?
The mochaccino can vary greatly but, in general, it contains about the same ratio of milk to coffee that a cappuccino does. Also usually made up of equal parts coffee, steamed milk, and foamed milk, what sets the mochaccino apart is the addition of chocolate into the mix, either as a powder, a syrup or melted into the brew.
How Much Milk is in a Café au Lait?
The Café au Lait is the most straightforward of the milky coffees in many ways, though the amount of milk can vary so it is hard to place on the scale. Literally translating to “Coffee with Milk” it is supposed to be equal parts milk and coffee and should be made with filter coffee rather than espresso.
How Much Milk is in a Vietnamese Iced Coffee?
The Vietnamese Iced Coffee is one of many different variations on iced coffee that could have a list of their own, but what sets it apart is the type of milk used. Iced coffees often use a good amount of milk, but the sweetened condensed milk in this Asian speciality gives it a distinctly creamy texture and luxurious flavour.
How Much Milk is in a Cortado?
While the ratio of milk to coffee in the cortado is similar to that of a Café au Lait, with equal parts coffee and milk, the cortado is a short drink. Made from a shot of espresso topped up with the same amount of steamed milk, the cortado has a milky flavour but is a smaller cup overall.
How Much Milk is in a Macchiato?
At this point in the list, we are coming towards the coffees that contain no milk at all, but the macchiato does still have a splash. Made from one shot of espresso with a dollop of foamed milk, there is no liquid milk in this drink, but the foam does add a little milkiness that cuts into the intensity.
Is There Any Milk in an Irish Coffee?
Traditionally an Irish coffee doesn’t contain any milk at all, but with a large helping of whipped cream floating on the top, it almost seems like it does. Irish coffee is made with Irish whiskey and espresso, with a dollop of whipped cream that fills the mouth every time you take a sip, giving it a silky, fatty texture.
Is There Any Milk in an Affogato?
Right at the bottom of the list for coffees that contain anything resembling milk is the affogato. In Italian, “affogato” means “drowned” and this drink is usually found somewhere on the dessert menu because it is made up of a scoop of vanilla ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso.
Is There Any Milk in an Americano?
When it comes to coffee without milk, the Americano is the classic long option, using hot water to dilute the intensity of the espresso. The Americano is made with one shot of espresso topped up with hot water, usually with around 4 times as much hot water as there is espresso, and it is rich, dense, and flavourful.
Is There Any Milk in a Lungo?
The lungo is also a diluted espresso drink that contains no milk, but it is stronger than the Americano, although less bitter in flavour. A lungo is made by brewing espresso with more water than usual, rather than topping up an espresso shot with hot water.
Is There Any Milk in an Espresso?
The espresso is the foundation for almost every coffee on this list and is pure coffee with no additives whatsoever. An espresso shot is made by forcing a small amount of hot water through coffee grounds under a lot of pressure and is characterised by its intense flavour a layer of foamy “crema” on the top.
Is There Any Milk in a Ristretto?
One of the only coffees that you might find with less dilution than an espresso is the ristretto, which is made using less water than usual. This is a very rich and bitter coffee that is usually favoured by real enthusiasts and coffee fanatics.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.