Latte coffee came to us from Italy. It was originally created as a baby drink. Outwardly, the latte does not look like traditional coffee in cups. It looks more like an exquisite beautiful cocktail. When this drink is served in glasses, you can see alternating coffee and milk layers, and sometimes a drawing on the surface. Sometimes coffee looks like a real work of art. And so I do not want to destroy this beauty with a spoon! How to drink latte? Let's try to understand the rules for using this unusual version of coffee.
Features
Latte is a drink consisting of three components:
- espresso coffee;
- milk;
- milk foam.
These ingredients should be layered and not mixed. When cooking, the following proportions are observed:
- espresso - 1 part;
- milk - 2 parts;
- milk foam - 1 part.
For the preparation of latte, only espresso coffee is used. This is the name of the drink obtained by passing hot water under pressure through ground coffee.
Properly prepared latte is never bitter. After all, in it the milk part significantly prevails over the coffee. The finished drink has a delicate creamy taste.
Differences from similar drinks
Very often, lattes are confused with other types of coffee. After all, there are many very similar drinks. This often creates difficulties when ordering in a coffee shop or restaurant.
Often latte macchiato is mistaken for latte. This similarly named layered drink is slightly different in formulation. When making regular latte, milk is added to coffee. If you need to get macchiato, then do the opposite. First, milk is poured, and then coffee. In this case, consistency is important. The latte flavor is dominated by coffee, while the macchiato is dairy.
Latte is often confused with cappuccino. However, these are two different drinks. When preparing a cappuccino, all ingredients are taken in equal parts. In the latte, the milky layer is clearly prevailing. A serving of cappuccino is usually less, as this drink is usually served in cups. Latte is poured into large glasses. It contains more milk than cappuccino, so portions come out more voluminous.
How to cook at home
How to cook latte? This drink is included in the traditional menu of many cafes and restaurants. But it can be done at home.
If you have a coffee machine, then the task is greatly facilitated. However, an ordinary Turk will do. The recipe is as follows:
- Brew espresso. To do this, bring the coffee almost to a boil three times, but when bubbles appear, turn down the heat immediately.
- Take 30 - 50 g of espresso and 150 - 200 g of fat milk.
- Pour espresso into a tall glass goblet or glass.
- Heat the milk to +70 degrees (do not boil!) And whisk until foamy.
- Using a thin stream, carefully pour whipped milk into the coffee.
You can decorate the foam on the surface of the drink with cinnamon, vanilla or grated chocolate.
How to serve a drink
Before you learn how to drink latte, read the rules for serving the drink. This coffee is most often prepared and served at the table in irish glasses. These are special glass containers for cappuccino and latte. Through the transparent walls, you can see the layers and structure of the drink.
Latte can be served in porcelain cups. They should be much higher and wider than usual. After all, take this coffee drink in large portions.
Whipped milk foam can be sprinkled with cinnamon, vanilla or grated chocolate. Sometimes the top layer of latte is watered with syrups. It is very important to pay attention to the composition of additional ingredients, because not every taste is combined with latte. For example, fruit syrups will be inappropriate. They spoil the taste of the drink and make it bitter. It is better to use chocolate or vanilla syrups.
How to drink latte: with or without sugar? So many people prefer to sweeten the drink. However, traditionally sugar is not put in this type of coffee. To give latte a sweet taste, only syrups with chocolate or vanilla can be added to it.
Terms of use
How to drink latte in a restaurant? Coffee lovers are still debating on this issue. Many people think that this drink should be consumed as a cocktail, through a tube. Others suggest that latte can be drunk with a spoon, like regular coffee.
It can be said that both are right. Both variants of use are allowed. Usually, in cases where the latte is served in irish glasses, a tube is attached to the drink. If coffee is poured into cups, then it is most often consumed with a teaspoon.
How to drink latte through a tube? It must be lowered to the bottom of the glass and carefully stirred, without violating the integrity of the foam. Then you need to slowly sip one layer after another, starting from the bottom. Foam is eaten with a spoon. This drink is drunk slowly, enjoying every sip.
If a long spoon was served to the latte, then you can mix the layers, and then drink the drink like regular coffee. In this case, it is not possible to maintain the integrity of the structure of the drink, but its taste does not deteriorate.
How to drink latte if you are in Italy? This country has developed its own culture of its use. Latte is customary to drink only at the table, slowly savoring every sip. Drinking this drink in one gulp, without leaving the bar, is considered bad form. Only espresso is allowed on the go.
However, one cannot say that latte is the favorite kind of coffee among Italians. Residents of this southern country prefer strong espresso. Latte is perceived as a lightweight version of a coffee drink for children and adolescents.
Latte Art: Coffee Drawings
Recently, you can often find coffee with patterns drawn on the surface of milk foam. This design is called latte art.
How to drink latte with a pattern? It is advisable to use it through a tube without stirring the foam. In this case, the pattern will last longer.
How to make latte with a pattern? To do this, the temperature of the milk foam should be about + 65-67 degrees. During the infusion of milk, the cup or glass is rocked so that a pattern forms on the surface. Then they finish it with a toothpick or other sharp object.
Latte art requires a lot of experience and strict adherence to the proportions of milk and coffee. After all, coffee only takes 20-30 seconds. The barista has very little time to create a drawing. Most often, lattes are decorated with simple patterns in the form of hearts, twigs or apples.