what is cafe au lait

Café au lait is a coffee drink that consists of coffee with hot milk added. It is similar to a latte, but the key difference lies in the preparation and the type of milk used. In Europe, café au lait is made by adding steamed milk to a shot of espresso in a 1:1 ratio, and it is topped with little or no foam. In the United States, it is often prepared by adding steamed milk to strong drip-brewed or French pressed coffee. The American version of café au lait is generally served in a cup, as with brewed coffee, and it is made with 2% milk. The drink is known for its accessibility and is often enjoyed at breakfast, sometimes accompanied by pastries for dunking. Variations of café au lait can be found in different countries, with one particularly interesting version coming from New Orleans, where chicory is combined with coffee to create a unique and intense flavor.