Ultimate Health Storey Coffee Guide: Understanding Milk-Based Drinks at a Café
When you walk into a café, the variety of coffee drinks can be overwhelming, especially those that include milk. To help you navigate the menu, Health Storey has created a handy FAQ guide that explains popular milk-based coffee drinks, their preparation, and serving styles.
FAQ for Milk-Based Coffee Drinks
1. Macchiato
DescriptionA macchiato, which means "stained" or "spotted" in Italian, is a shot of espresso "stained" with a small amount of milk.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of espresso and a dollop of steamed milk or milk foam.
- Ratio: Approximately 1:1 espresso to milk.
Serving Glass:
Typically served in a small espresso cup.
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| espresso cup |
2. Cappuccino
Description A cappuccino is a classic Italian coffee drink that combines equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of espresso, 1/2 cup of steamed milk, and 1/2 cup of milk foam.
- Ratio: 1:1:1 (espresso:steamed milk:milk foam).
Serving Glass:
Usually served in a 5 to 6-ounce cup.
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| 6 oz coffee cup |
3. Latte
Description A latte is a creamy coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk, topped with a small amount of milk foam.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of espresso and about 8 ounces of steamed milk, with a thin layer of milk foam on top.
- Ratio: Approximately 1:3 (espresso to steamed milk).
Serving Glass:
Served in a larger cup, typically 8 to 12 ounces.
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| Latte Glass |
4. Flat White
Description Originating from Australia and New Zealand, a flat white is similar to a latte but has a higher ratio of coffee to milk and a velvety microfoam.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of espresso and about 5 to 6 ounces of steamed milk with microfoam.
- Ratio: Approximately 1:2 (espresso to steamed milk).
Serving Glass:
Served in a smaller cup, usually 5 to 6 ounces.
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| Cappuccino / Flat White 6 oz cups. |
5. Breve
Description A breve is a rich and creamy version of a latte made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of espresso and about 6 to 8 ounces of steamed half-and-half.
- Ratio: Approximately 1:3 (espresso to half-and-half).
Serving Glass:
Typically served in an 8-ounce cup.
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| larger cup than the cappuccino / flat white |
6. Affogato
Description
An affogato is a delightful dessert-style drink that combines espresso with a scoop of ice cream.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: 1 shot of hot espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Ratio: 1:1 (espresso to ice cream).
Serving Glass:
Served in a small glass or dessert bowl.
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| Affogato in a cup |
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| Affogato in a bowl |
German Coffee Drinks
In addition to the popular American coffee drinks, here are a couple of German coffee drinks that you might find interesting:
1. Kaffee mit Milch
Description
This is a simple coffee with milk, similar to a latte but typically made with brewed coffee instead of espresso.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: Brewed coffee and steamed milk.
- Ratio: Approximately 1:1 (coffee to milk)
Serving Glass:
Served in a large coffee mug.
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| large coffee mug for Kaffee mit Milch |
2. Eiskaffee / Iced Coffee
DescriptionEiskaffee is a refreshing iced coffee drink made with brewed coffee, ice cream, and whipped cream.
How It's Made:
- Ingredients: Brewed coffee, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream.
- Ratio: 1:1 (coffee to ice cream).
Serving Glass:
Served in a tall glass.
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| Iced Coffee in a tall glass |
Now that you have a better understanding of the various milk-based coffee drinks available at your local café, you can confidently order your favorite! Whether you prefer the rich flavors of a cappuccino or the creamy texture of a flat white, there’s a perfect coffee drink for everyone. Enjoy your coffee journey and add a coffee with milk to your morning.
