lattes

Latte, short for caffe latte, is a coffee beverage prepared with espresso and steamed milk, topped with a small amount of milk foam. The term latte is Italian for milk, and in traditional usage caffè latte combines one or more shots of espresso with hot milk in a roughly 1:2 to 1:3 ratio, yielding a creamy drink with a light foam cap. It is milder and smoother than a cappuccino, which has more foam and a drier texture. Milk is usually steamed to about 65–70°C (149–158°F) to create microfoam.

Latte art, the decorative pouring of milk to form designs, is common in cafés. Variants include iced latte, which blends espresso with cold milk over ice, and plant-based versions using alternatives such as soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk. The term latte is sometimes used loosely in some markets to refer to any espresso-and-milk beverage, regardless of size or foam content.

Serving sizes typically range from 8 to 16 ounces (about 240 to 470 ml) in many coffee shops, with larger sizes widely available. Caffeine content depends on the number of espresso shots; a single shot contributes about 60 mg of caffeine, while two or more shots raise the total accordingly.

Nutritional information varies with milk choice and size. A typical 8-ounce latte made with whole milk is around 120–180 calories; using lower-fat or non-dairy milks can reduce or alter this value. Latte remains a popular option in specialty cafés and home preparation alike.