A latte, or caffè latte, is a coffee drink of Italian origin made with espresso and steamed milk. It is typically made up of one or two shots of espresso, steamed milk, and a final, thin layer of frothed milk on top. The term "latte" comes from the Italian caffellatte or caffè latte, which literally means "coffee and milk". Variants of the latte include the chocolate-flavored mocha or replacing the coffee with another beverage base such as masala chai (spiced Indian tea), mate, matcha, turmeric, or rooibos. Alternatives to milk, such as soy milk or almond milk, are also used.
The latte is similar to other espresso-based drinks such as cappuccino and flat white, but with some key differences in the way they are prepared and served. While a cappuccino has an even distribution of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk, a latte has more steamed milk and a light layer of foam. In a latte, the espresso and steamed milk are mixed together, while in a cappuccino, they are distinctly layered. A flat white is similar to a latte, but with a higher proportion of espresso to milk and a thinner layer of microfoam on top.
Overall, a latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk, and it is one of the most popular espresso-based drinks around the world.
