Café au Lait and Latte

– What’s The Difference –

Our colorful coffee world never seems to stop growing.

There are many great coffee drink creations for us to explore out there.

In fact, that’s the entire beauty of our rich coffee culture. It connects us all, in one way or the other.

This article highlights two classic coffee drinks.

Both the café au lait and latte have been around for a while already. They are surely among the most popular beverages around the world.

Of course, they do have many great health benefits. Like all coffee drinks do have in common.

On top, they also taste very delicious. And, they can come in various beautifully-made art forms.

Both the café au lait and latte started their journey in Europe. But nowadays, you can basically find them at any coffee shop or restaurant.

Many people argue that they are actually the exact same drink. They just have different names but are both coffees made with milk.

Yes and no.

There is some truth in this claim, but not entirely.

So, what exactly is a café au lait and latte then? And, what are the similarities and differences between them?

Let’s find out together.

Here is everything you need to know about the café au lait and latte.

Definitions – Of Café au Lait and Latte

In order to get a basic understanding.

First, we will have a look at both drinks separately. What are their main characteristics in particular?

At the same time, we will also start pointing out some differences already.

What is a Café au Lait

As the name already suggests, the café au lait is originating from France.

It literally means coffee with milk. Some would say that the name makes the drink sound fancier than it actually is.

Because essentially, it is only espresso with hot milk added.

However, this only reflects half the truth behind the traditional café au lait.

Technically speaking, the term café au lait does not have to refer to a specific drink with only one preparation method.

For instance, it is also very common to use regular home-brewed coffee. In this case, you just heat up your milk and mix both together.

In general though, most coffee shops and restaurants will use an espresso machine for its preparation. They will then steam milk and combine these two.

As you can see, there are different ways to make a café au lait.

Essentially, when we say café au lait. We actually only refer to a drink combining coffee with heated milk.

Traditionally, the café au lait is served in a white mug or bowl.

And, the usual ratio is half coffee and half milk.

Variations of Café au Lait

Over the years, the café au lait became popular in many other regions of the world.

This did not always happen under the original name and same concept.

Here are the most notable worldwide café au lait variations.

Europe

Many European countries have successfully adopted the café au lait. And, they eventually turned it into something of their own.

For example, in Spain you can find it under the name of café con leche. It simply stands for coffee with milk.

In Poland, it is kawa biata which means white coffee. Germans named it Milchkaffee, which stands for milk coffee.

Hungarians know it as tejeskave. Dutch call it koffie verkeerd, which interestingly translates into incorrect coffee.

Portuguese and Brazilians labelled it as café com leite. And, Swiss in French-speaking areas enjoy it under the name of café renverse. This would mean reverse coffee.

In most of northern Europe, people still use the original French name, café au lait.

As you can see, there do exist different names for the same coffee drink everywhere. But one aspect unifies them all.

Namely, the respective drink always stands for a simple coffee with heated milk.

However, now, it is becoming a bit more confusing.

Because at this stage, we are also adding the latte to our conversation.

What is a Latte

Before, we are getting to the modern latte. We first need to go back to its historic roots.

The original name is café latte.

And, as many delicious things do, it comes from Italy.

If you would only say latte in Italy, you will not get very far. Or, you will not get what you were maybe hoping for.

People will simply serve you a glass of milk.

Café latte stands for coffee with milk in the Italian language. And, that’s what you can get, if you use the full and correct term.

In order to make one, you need espresso, steamed milk and milk froth. The milk froth is the thick, foamy layer on top.

Over the years, the popular drink traveled all the way across to America. Nowadays, people only refer to it as latte there.

Eventually, major coffee chains like Starbucks made it famous and popular all around the world. The modern latte was born and steadily continues to grow.

Now, we are actually getting to the main difference of a café au lait and latte.

A latte requires more milk than a café au lait.

It is as simple as that.

Typically, the latte ratio is usually 2:1. Which mean two parts of milk and one part of coffee.

Just to quickly remind you. The usual café au lait ratio of coffee and milk is 1:1.

Because latte drinks contain more milk, they are traditionally served in taller glasses.

All About The Espresso

Okay, both drinks consist of coffee and hot milk.

And, one uses more milk than the other.

Some people would say that this is pretty straight forward and not particularly special.

At the end of the day, people have been mixing coffee with milk for centuries already, right?

Correct, people did so.

So, what makes both the café au lait and latte so special in the end?

You probably already guessed it.

It is the modern espresso that elevated both drinks.

Thanks to this essential ingredient, they got their signature kick.

Typically, you will brew an espresso by forcing or expressing very hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans.

This makes the espresso’s texture much thicker.

In contrast, when you brew a regular coffee. Most of the aromatic oils are getting lost during the prolonged brewing process.

A good espresso will have a thicker, more velvety sensation in your mouth.

Lastly, it is usually also much less acidic than a regular cup of coffee. The reason for this affect would be a much shorter and different brewing process.

There is simply less time for the acidic flavors of the coffee beans to seep into the finished beverage.

All of these factors in an espresso eventually come together. They enable the café au lait and latte to provide an overall smoother drink texture and richer flavor sensation.

So, when we are talking about the café au lait’s and latte’ success stories.

We need to highlight the increasing worldwide popularity of the espresso at the same time as well.

But there is one more additional success factor. We need to talk about it as well.

And, this one especially applies more for the latte than for the café au lait.

Latte Art

We have all probably marveled at these beautiful flowers and hearts on our coffee drink.

They usually look to gorgeous to ‘destroy’ them. Sometimes, I just want to take a picture and leave the coffee creation whole as it is.

But in the end, we of course still want to enjoy our drink, right?

Nonetheless, these little art creations just look incredible.

Many times, I have asked myself. How are they doing it?

The Latte and its Latte Art

How would you translate the term ‘latte art’?

There is no general translation for it.

The best way would possibly be to call it the ‘artistic skill of milk creations’.

I know what you are thinking. That’s definitely not the official term for it. And, yes, you are right. But, it probably comes closest to what the name primarily stands for.

Many coffee lovers would agree that the trademark of a ‘true latte’ is its astonishing artwork gracefully resting on top of the beverage.

It is the beautiful leaf or sun pattern on top, what makes the latte even more unique.

Historically, the latte art is thought to originate from Italy.

This would make sense, because the latte and its espresso have the same roots.

How to Latte Art

What’s the first step to eventually master the latte art?

At first, you must be able to produce an espresso with a good-quality crema.

This is definitely the first, essential step of having a realistic chance of eventually creating a stunning piece of latte art.

Next, you need to properly foam your milk.

Ideally, it should become a thick micro-foam. With which you can top your latte then.

Once you add the espresso, the white foam rises to the top of the glass. If everything goes according to plan, it will meet the crema as it rises to the top.

Now, you can grab your milk pitcher with foamed milk.

As you move the pitcher in rhythmic patterns, certain art designs can be created on top of your beverage.

Sounds pretty easy, right?

However, it will take some time to fully master every step. Be patient and consistent. And, each flower pattern of yours will look better and better.

When it comes to latte art, there are basically two main methods.

Let’s have a look at both of them.

Free Pouring

As a starter, I would like to recommend you to continuously practice and eventually perfect the free pouring method.

It is maybe the most difficult way. But, it is also the most rewarding one for you as an aspiring barista.

The free pouring method does not use any supporting tools.

It’s just you, your coffee, milk pitcher and hopefully controlled hand movements.

That’s the professional way of doing latte art.

For free pouring, your glass must be kept level and slightly tilted.

You will see why, once you start pouring your milk. The tilt of the glass will cause the milk to surface on one side.

Stay calm and move the pitcher from side to side.

Don’t make hectic moves, but try to stay in flow with your own rhythm you are most comfortable with.

At last, you finish your master piece off with a quick strike through the pattern you’ve created.

Traditionally, this amazing method produces the popular floral or feathers designs of latte art.

Of course, there are a lot more possible creations to try.

Once you know the basic steps, you can even start challenging your own creative imaginations.

Etched Latte Art

Now, ‘true baristsas’ will tell you that the etched latte art form is the ‘poor man’s way’.

I will leave this decision to you.

Yes, it is quicker and easier to produce any pattern. That is also why many bigger coffee chains are using it.

Sadly, your beautiful patterns will not last though. Images created by using the free pouring method can generally be admired a bit longer.

Nonetheless, it’s a very efficient and useful skill to master as well.

Typically, you are using a stick to etch your image on top of the beverage.

But there is an even easier and faster way. Coffee shop chains especially like to make use of it.

You simply place a metal template on your coffee cup. And, then you pour vast quantities of chocolate powder through the metal stencil.

There you go. Powder hearts and flowers will appear on your drink.

True coffee enthusiasts regard this method as a somewhat ‘shabby attempt’ at mimicking proper latte art.

Most commonly, you can find these powdery patterns on top of cappuccinos these days.

Because, these drinks have especially thick milk foam layers to work with. You can easily pour powder on top.

The café au lait is usually served without any latte art.

Its texture and top milk layer typically does not allow proper latte art.

In summary, this would also make the latte art a notable difference between the café au lait and latte.

American Café au Lait

We cannot finish our article without mentioning this very special variant of the café au lait.

This popular version is especially served at coffee shops in New Orleans, United States.

Here, coffee makers are using milk, coffee and chicory.

Yes, you have heard right.

It gives the coffee a very distinctive, strong and bitter flavor.

Additionally, Americans mostly use scalded milk rather than steamed milk for their café au lait.

Furthermore, you will usually get your American café au lait with sweet, powdered sugar coated beignets. This is to offset the chicory’s bitter flavor. Both flavor profiles combine a wonderful overall taste experience then.

But still, why would anyone put chicory in their coffee?

Who had the idea of mixing a fine coffee with bitter chicory roots?

Well, the origin of this drink actually goes all the way back to the American Civil War.

During the war time and also still after, there was a general coffee shortage.

People wanted to drink coffee but there was not enough. Hence, coffee makers had to become creative.

Some found chicory to be useful as coffee replacement. Ever since, the fusion stuck and established itself over the years.

It is now the most traditional way of drinking coffee in New Orleans.

If you ever have the chance to try it, please give it a go.

You will be amazed about its very unique flavor profile.

The Bottom Line – Café au Lait and Latte

So, what did we learn?

In general, the café au lait and latte have the same two main ingredients. However, the way of making both, their presentation and also serving differs quite a lot.

Over the years and throughout generations, many different variations of both drinks have developed across various countries.

There is even the wonderful form of latte art, now. Especially the modern latte makes great use of it.

Let’s recap the basic points of the café au lait and latte one last time.

Quick Summary

• A typical latte is using one shot of espresso. You then add steamed milk. And, you top everything off with a thin layer of foam. Don’t forget the latte art as well, of course.

• The café au lait traditionally uses brewed coffee. You then add steamed milk, too. But minus the foam on top.

• People commonly serve lattes in taller glasses.

• Café au lait’s mostly come in wide-brimmed bowls or smaller coffee cups instead.

There you are. I am hoping that the similarities and differences between the café au lait and latte are much clearer, now.

So, when was the last time you had a café au lait? And, how do you call it your country?

Or, do you prefer a latte instead?

What other similarities or differences do you maybe find important mentioning?

Feel free to share your experiences and thoughts with us.

Until then, stay safe, healthy and properly caffeinated.

Cheers!