<p>Oh, the famous <em>latte</em>!</p>

<p>Apparently hardly anyone knows that it simply means "milk" in Italian, so technically calling a coffee drink "latte" is pure nonsense.  </p>

<p>So where does the coffee shop staple get his name from?</p>

<p>In Italy, a <a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latte_macchiato" rel="noreferrer">latte macchiato</a> ("stained milk") is basically an espresso in a glass of hot (steamed) milk, pouring the espresso last leads to the distinct layers.</p>

<p>A <a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffellatte" rel="noreferrer">caffellatte</a> ("coffee with milk") is an espresso or coffee from a moka, topped with a generous dose of hot milk. No layers in this cup or glass.</p>

<p>So depending on whether your coffee shop makes <strong><del>caffel</del>latte</strong> or <strong>latte <del>macchiato</del></strong>, you get milk first or coffee first, layers or none.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-27T19:55:00.653Z
Interesting! I heard of someone go to a coffee shop in Italy, order a latte, and feel a bit stupid when they got a glass of milk!
marcellothearcane
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-27T20:31:58.463Z
@marcellothearcane well, that was to be expected - getting milk, not feeling stupid. But that's why we travel: we lean a lot!
Stephie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-08T19:28:24.900Z
You're being a bit cruel / snobbish to claim most people don't know latte means milk in Italian. In English latte has come to mean espresso with steamed milk; people are just fitting into their local context. As for a latte vs a macchiato, you're ignoring the size distinction
Unrelated
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-01T20:02:26.753Z
2017-06-27T09:39:40.827Z
2017-06-27T09:39:40.827Z
Stephie
<p>It's a matter of proportion. Traditional cappuccino is divided into 3. 1 third espresso, 1 third milk and the rest is foam - so it will be served in a "normal" cup that would hold the ratio.
As mentioned before, "latte" comes from the word "milk" in Italian, so it's mostly milk and some foam with some espresso in a larger glass. </p>

<p><a href="https://goo.gl/images/PKWJvz" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://goo.gl/images/PKWJvz</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-11-03T03:12:53.163Z
2018-11-05T22:37:37.697Z
2018-11-05T22:37:37.697Z
Alon.b
<p>Thanks Steph I see what you mean. The answer is really that there is no clear answer because it is a question of nomenclature and there is no 'technical' definition of 'latte' in this context that I know of. What you are really asking is what is the best option or something like that? It seems to be a feature of language that people think of terms and words in relation to what they consider ideal or 'normal' cases, other factors cause terminology to vary widely and there is no Academie francais or ISO body to pronounce on this one. Even if there was usages would still vary as Academies and language mavens everywhere eventually learn. Ingredients or components often become names for foodstuffs or well used items, 'latte' being the best example, "chili" another, "canvas" on sailing ships yet another. </p>

<p>Nomenclature regarding coffee in my extensive experience varies widely but is often taken very seriously 'locally' you might say. So it depends where you are, even then there is not agreement. In London for example experienced Italian Barristas disagreed with local coffee shop owners: whose opinion do you take? I normally use the 'when in Rome rule' but didn't in this case, considering the barristas to make a better result and nodding to that I guess? </p>

<p>I was served once, in Cardiff Wales in Cardiff Central Market when I ordered 'Cappuccino', a large mug of lukewarm instant coffee with a 'head of synthetic cream from an aerosol can and some fake cocoa sprinkled over it, mostly on the handle. As a linguist professionally the question is interesting to me as to whether this abomination should be included within the range of the term "Cappuccino". Any takers? Same applies to 'latte' over all I don't think you can relly on much more than getting milk in some form or in some quantity with your espresso. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-24T21:05:34.037Z
Tudor Eynon, welcome to the site! As I see it, milk and foam plus espresso *might* be a cappuccino - or something else, depending on the ratios. Unfortunately I don't see a clear answer to the original question here, but that is the first rule when answering. Please take the [tour] and browse our [help] to learn more about this site and the Stack Exchange system in general. If you want, you can always [edit] your post.
Stephie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-26T14:28:37.380Z
I edited in accord with your comment Stephie; thanks for pointing that out to me.
Tudor Eynon
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-24T18:03:12.850Z
2017-08-25T15:05:46.197Z
2017-08-25T15:05:46.197Z
Tudor Eynon
<p>When making a latte, I've seen baristas make it:</p>

<ol>
<li>With espresso shot first and then milk and art on top (served in a normal cup)</li>
<li>Milk first and espresso shot poured on top (served in a long glass with a handle)</li>
</ol>

<p>Are both of these technically lattes or is the second way something different entirely?</p>

<espresso><milk><latte>
Latte: Milk before or after coffee?
Consume Coffee
# Latte: Milk before or after coffee?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-03-01)

When making a latte, I've seen baristas make it:

1. With espresso shot first and then milk and art on top (served in a normal cup)
2. Milk first and espresso shot poured on top (served in a long glass with a handle)

Are both of these technically lattes or is the second way something different entirely?

**Tags:** espresso, milk, latte


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-03-01. Score: 17 | Accepted answer

Oh, the famous *latte*!

Apparently hardly anyone knows that it simply means "milk" in Italian, so technically calling a coffee drink "latte" is pure nonsense.

So where does the coffee shop staple get his name from?

In Italy, a [latte macchiato](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latte_macchiato) ("stained milk") is basically an espresso in a glass of hot (steamed) milk, pouring the espresso last leads to the distinct layers.

A [caffellatte](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffellatte) ("coffee with milk") is an espresso or coffee from a moka, topped with a generous dose of hot milk. No layers in this cup or glass.

So depending on whether your coffee shop makes **~~caffel~~latte** or **latte ~~macchiato~~**, you get milk first or coffee first, layers or none.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Interesting! I heard of someone go to a coffee shop in Italy, order a latte, and feel a bit stupid when they got a glass of milk!  
> **username_1**: @username_2 well, that was to be expected - getting milk, not feeling stupid. But that's why we travel: we lean a lot!  
> **username_3**: You're being a bit cruel / snobbish to claim most people don't know latte means milk in Italian. In English latte has come to mean espresso with steamed milk; people are just fitting into their local context. As for a latte vs a macchiato, you're ignoring the size distinction  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-11-03. Score: 1

It's a matter of proportion. Traditional cappuccino is divided into 3. 1 third espresso, 1 third milk and the rest is foam - so it will be served in a "normal" cup that would hold the ratio.
As mentioned before, "latte" comes from the word "milk" in Italian, so it's mostly milk and some foam with some espresso in a larger glass.

<https://goo.gl/images/PKWJvz>


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-08-24. Score: 1

Thanks Steph I see what you mean. The answer is really that there is no clear answer because it is a question of nomenclature and there is no 'technical' definition of 'latte' in this context that I know of. What you are really asking is what is the best option or something like that? It seems to be a feature of language that people think of terms and words in relation to what they consider ideal or 'normal' cases, other factors cause terminology to vary widely and there is no Academie francais or ISO body to pronounce on this one. Even if there was usages would still vary as Academies and language mavens everywhere eventually learn. Ingredients or components often become names for foodstuffs or well used items, 'latte' being the best example, "chili" another, "canvas" on sailing ships yet another.

Nomenclature regarding coffee in my extensive experience varies widely but is often taken very seriously 'locally' you might say. So it depends where you are, even then there is not agreement. In London for example experienced Italian Barristas disagreed with local coffee shop owners: whose opinion do you take? I normally use the 'when in Rome rule' but didn't in this case, considering the barristas to make a better result and nodding to that I guess?

I was served once, in Cardiff Wales in Cardiff Central Market when I ordered 'Cappuccino', a large mug of lukewarm instant coffee with a 'head of synthetic cream from an aerosol can and some fake cocoa sprinkled over it, mostly on the handle. As a linguist professionally the question is interesting to me as to whether this abomination should be included within the range of the term "Cappuccino". Any takers? Same applies to 'latte' over all I don't think you can relly on much more than getting milk in some form or in some quantity with your espresso.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: username_5, welcome to the site! As I see it, milk and foam plus espresso *might* be a cappuccino - or something else, depending on the ratios. Unfortunately I don't see a clear answer to the original question here, but that is the first rule when answering. Please take the [tour] and browse our [help] to learn more about this site and the Stack Exchange system in general. If you want, you can always [edit] your post.  
> **username_5**: I edited in accord with your comment username_1; thanks for pointing that out to me.  

---

