Coffee comes in such a wide variety of different types that it can be hard to identify what you’re looking for at the coffee shop. If you’re someone who likes a bit of milk there are a lot of options for you on the menu, and you want to know what each name means before you start ordering.
The most common coffees with milk are the latte, the cappuccino, and the flat white, though a literal translation of a coffee with milk is the Café au Lait. There are also, however, many other milky coffees besides these and each one is slightly different from the last, with different ingredients and very different flavours.
This article will go into detail about the different names that milky coffees are known by, what you can expect when you’re ordering each one and what other options are out there when it comes to a cup of coffee with milk.
What Different Types of Milky Coffee Are There?
While the latte, the cappuccino and the flat white are the most popular of the milky coffees, you will often see a macchiato, cortado, Café au Lait, or mocha on the menu as well. Each is distinct from the others so you want to look at what sets them apart to see which one is right for you.
How Do You Make a Latte?
The king of milk-based coffees is the latte, and it is known to have the milkiest flavour and texture of them all. A latte is made with one or two shots of espresso, a lot of steamed milk and a small layer of frothed milk and is about 1/3 coffee to 2/3 milk and only about 1cm of foam.
How is a Cappuccino Made?
The cappuccino is notably different from the latte in the extra amount of foam and the fact that it is less milky but more creamy overall. The cappuccino is also usually made with one shot of espresso, steamed milk and foam but all of these are in equal parts – so it is 1/3 coffee, 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam.
What is a Flat White?
The origin of the flat white is often debated, and it is easy to mistake for the cappuccino or the latte because it also contains steamed milk. A flat white is made with one shot of espresso and about the same amount of steamed milk, making it less milky than a latte and less foamy than a cappuccino.
What Makes a Café Au Lait Different?
The Café au Lait is often seen as the simplest of the milky coffees and it simply means “coffee with milk”. Like the flat white, it is made with around equal parts coffee to steamed milk, but it is unique in that it is made with drip coffee rather than espresso, so the flavour is more mellow.
How Do You Make a Macchiato?
If you’re looking for a milky coffee that is on the shorter end of the spectrum, the macchiato is a popular option on the menu. This espresso-like drink actually contains no liquid milk, instead, it is one shot of espresso topped off with a layer of foamed milk, giving it high intensity and concentrated flavour with a foamy twist.
How is a Cortado Different from a Macchiato?
Another short, milky coffee that you might be interested in is the cortado, which is a strong and creamy option for people who like a little drink. The cortado is made with a shot of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, which mix together for a silky texture while maintaining a strong coffee taste.
Does a Mocha Contain Milk?
The mocha is distinct amongst popular coffees for containing a whole new flavour: chocolate. Traditionally, a mocha is made in much the same way as a cappuccino – with 1 part coffee to 1 part steamed milk and 1 part foam – but within the coffee, some chocolate flavour has been added, through powder, syrup, or melted chocolate.
How Does the Type of Milk Affect the Coffee?
The most popular option for making coffee is whole milk, or full-fat milk, because the higher the fat content is, the creamier, foamier, and more flavourful the end result is going to be. Skimmed milk, with lower fat content, can be harder to foam and will not deliver as much sweetness but they are healthier and more subtle.
What Other Types of Milk are Used in Coffees?
Perhaps closer to non-milk options like creamer, sweetened condensed milk is also popular in certain types of coffee and packs a lot of flavour. It is less heavy than a cream but still adds a luxurious texture and a lot of sweetness and is particularly popular in Europe and Asia, notably in Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
How is a Vietnamese Iced Coffee Made?
A delicious treat from Southeast Asia, the Vietnamese Iced Coffee uses strong coffee and sweetened condensed milk, chilled over ice, to create a refreshing but invigorating beverage. The coffee is brewed strong before being added to the condensed milk, mixed together until dissolved, and then poured into ice-filled glasses to cool before drinking.
Are There Dairy Free Options for Milky Coffee?
Not everybody is able to drink dairy milk and many other options are now available for adding to your brew. You may opt for oat milk or soy milk, which are popular dairy-free choices, or you may be looking for something with a stronger, unique flavour like cashew milk or almond milk, but they are all quite different.
Which Dairy-Free Milks Taste the Best?
It is very much a matter of personal preference, but some dairy-free milk can have quite a distinct taste, whereas soy milk and oat milk add less in the way of flavour. Almond and cashew milk have quite strong tastes which may entice some coffee drinkers and macadamia nut milk is popular in coffee for its sweetness.
What is the Best Dairy-Free Milk for Frothy Coffee?
One of the challenging factors for dairy-free milk is the ability to get a good froth out of it for your coffee. When you want great froth, oat milk is usually the best of the bunch, but you should also look out for special “barista” editions of your chosen dairy-free milk as they are often much better froth-makers.
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.