What’s the Difference Between a Latte and a Cappuccino?

Many coffee lovers find it tricky to tell a latte from a cappuccino, especially in the early morning before that first cup. While both are popular drinks made with espresso, milk, and foam, they actually look, taste, and feel quite different. The real differences come down to how much milk is used and the way the milk is steamed and frothed, which changes the taste and texture of each drink.

Although a latte is usually bigger and has more milk than a cappuccino, the two are different in more ways than just size. Knowing what sets them apart can help you order what you like or make your own coffee at home. Here’s a simple breakdown of what makes each one special.

Milk, Espresso, and Foam: Key Differences

Both a latte and a cappuccino start with espresso. But what really makes them different is the amount and style of milk and foam. A classic cappuccino uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick, airy milk foam. This careful balance gives the cappuccino a bold taste and a top layer that’s easy to spot.

A latte, by contrast, has more steamed milk and only a small layer of foam. Lattes are smoother and milkier, with much less frothy foam on top. To make a cappuccino, milk is foamed in such a way that adds lots of air; for a latte, the milk is less foamy and more like a silky hot liquid.

Size and Appearance

You can often tell these two drinks apart by the cup they come in. Cappuccinos are served in smaller cups, usually 150-180 ml. This size helps keep the strong espresso taste from getting lost in too much milk. They also have a thick foam layer that often rises above the rim.

Lattes come in bigger cups or even glasses, about 240 ml. This lets them hold more milk and makes them the best choice for latte art because there’s a wide, flat surface for designs. The foam on a latte is thinner and lies flatter than on a cappuccino.

Taste and Texture

The way the milk and foam are handled changes the taste and mouthfeel of these drinks. Cappuccinos use less milk, so they taste stronger and have thick, airy foam that makes each sip a mix of sharp espresso and creamy froth. People who like bold coffee often choose a cappuccino.

Lattes are creamier and smoother because of all the steamed milk. You get a mild coffee flavor with a soft, milky feeling as you drink. Extra syrups or flavors, like caramel or vanilla, are often added to lattes to make them even sweeter or to give variety.

What Is a Latte?

A latte (or caffè latte) is a coffee drink that mixes espresso with lots of hot, steamed milk. It has a small, gentle layer of foam on top. Lattes are sometimes called the “big brother” of the cappuccino because they’re usually larger and have more milk.

People like lattes because they’re comforting and have a smooth texture. They can be served hot or poured over ice for a cool drink. The steamed milk blends perfectly with the espresso, making the drink gentle and easy to enjoy.

Usual Ingredients and Proportions

• 1 shot (or 2) of espresso (about 1/3 of the drink)
• Steamed milk (about 2/3 of the drink)
• Thin layer of milk foam (about 1 cm thick)

Lattes are very flexible. They’re often sweetened with syrups or sugar and come in flavors like caramel, mocha, hazelnut, vanilla, and more. The choice of milk also changes the taste-common options are whole milk, 2%, skim, oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk.

How to Make a Latte

1. Brew 1 or 2 shots of espresso into a cup.
2. Steam your milk with the wand deep in the pitcher to make soft, silky hot milk with just a bit of foam.
3. Pour the steamed milk over the espresso, using a spoon to hold back the foam at first.
4. Add a small layer of foam on top, which is perfect for latte art.

The result is a creamy, smooth drink with blended flavors from start to finish.

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is a traditional Italian coffee drink famous for its three even layers: espresso, steamed milk, and a thick blanket of foam. Compared to a latte, it tastes stronger and is foamier.

Cappuccinos were perfected in Italy and became popular in the 1900s, thanks to the invention of the espresso machine. While they’re usually served hot, some versions use cold or iced milk. But their classic form is warm, with lots of froth on top.

Usual Ingredients and Proportions

• 1 or 2 shots of espresso (1/3 of the drink)
• Steamed milk (1/3 of the drink)
• Foamed milk (1/3 of the drink)

The milk used in a cappuccino is cold at first to make it easy to foam up. Most cappuccinos don’t have syrups or extra flavors, but sometimes you may get one topped with a dusting of chocolate powder or a drizzle of syrup.

How to Make a Cappuccino

1. Brew 1 or 2 shots of espresso into a small cup.
2. Steam milk with the steam wand near the surface so it becomes thick and foamy.
3. Pour steamed milk over the espresso and add a large spoonful of thick foam on top.

Some people prefer foams with bigger bubbles (“dry cappuccino”), while others choose microfoam for a smoother feel. The drink’s layers stay mostly separate, letting you taste espresso, milk, and foam all in one sip.

Where Did Lattes and Cappuccinos Come From?

Lattes and cappuccinos have different histories, even though they share similar ingredients. Their backgrounds reflect the coffee culture of their homelands and show how simple changes can give new drinks.

Italian Roots

Cappuccinos come from Italy. The name comes from “Capuchin” monks, whose brown robes remind people of the coffee-milk color. Espresso machines invented in Milan in 1901 made the cappuccino common in Italy and soon around the world.

Lattes also use Italian words-“latte” means “milk.” But the drink we know as a latte actually comes from America, first popping up in California. Instead of simply copying the Italian way, American cafes started adding more milk to coffee, leading to the modern latte. This difference made the latte a gentler, milkier option than the sharper, traditional cappuccino.

Which Is Stronger: Latte or Cappuccino?

Many people think that the drink with the most caffeine is the strongest, but that’s not really true here. Both drinks often use the same amount of espresso, so their caffeine content is about equal. What changes is how strong the coffee tastes, which mostly depends on the milk-to-espresso ratio.

Flavor Intensity

A cappuccino tastes stronger because it has less milk, so the espresso isn’t as diluted. The thick foam also keeps the flavor bold. In a latte, extra steamed milk softens the coffee taste, making it smoother and less intense. People who like a rich, powerful coffee flavor often choose cappuccinos. Those who prefer a gentle, milky drink usually go for lattes.

Which Is Sweeter: Latte or Cappuccino?

Sweetness comes from two places: the milk and any added syrups or sugar. Both drinks taste a little sweet because steaming milk brings out its natural sugars. But, since a latte has much more milk, it usually tastes sweeter even before anything is added.

Lattes often have syrups, chocolate, or flavorings mixed in, making them even sweeter. Cappuccinos, on the other hand, are usually served plain, so their natural sweetness is milder.

Natural Milk Sweetness

• Lattes: Naturally sweeter due to more steamed milk.
• Cappuccinos: Less sweet, since there’s less liquid milk and more foam.

If you want a sweeter drink-even without syrups-a latte is a good choice.

Cappuccino vs Latte vs Other Espresso Drinks

Lattes and cappuccinos aren’t the only espresso drinks out there. There are many more options, some milkier, some stronger. Here’s how they stack up against others:

• Flat White: Popular in Australia and New Zealand, the flat white uses a double shot of espresso with less milk than a latte and very fine “microfoam.” It tastes stronger than a latte, but creamier than a cappuccino.
• Macchiato: “Macchiato” means “stained” in Italian. It’s an espresso shot with just a spot of milk or milk foam-about 90% coffee, 10% milk. It’s much stronger than a latte or cappuccino.
• Latte Macchiato: For this drink, milk is steamed and poured first, then the espresso is added on top, making three layers (milk, espresso, foam).
• Cortado: A cortado is made with espresso and just enough steamed milk to “cut” the sharpness, served in a small glass. It’s closer to a macchiato than a latte.
• Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water. No milk is added, so the taste is weaker than pure espresso but not as creamy as a latte or cappuccino.

FAQs: Lattes vs Cappuccinos

Is Cappuccino More Bitter Than Latte?

Usually, yes. Since a cappuccino has less milk and most of it is in foam form (which doesn’t mix with espresso as much as steamed milk), the coffee flavor stays strong and more bitter. Lattes have more steamed milk, which tones down the bitterness and gives a sweeter, smoother taste. If you don’t like bitter drinks, a latte might suit you better. But if you want a strong coffee flavor, try a cappuccino.