Do you enjoy coffee with milk? Since this combination appears in many flavors, finding the right coffee takes time. Cafe au lait vs latte compares two milky coffee drinks. However, varying amounts of milk in coffee create distinct tastes and textures.
You are here to examine the difference between a latte, a high-volume milk drink with espresso, and café au lait, which features a balance of milk and brewed coffee.
Let’s examine these two flavors in more detail.
Also, check the difference between latte vs shaken espresso vs cold brew.
Cafe au lait vs latte: what is the first significant difference?
A coffee enthusiast understands that traditionally brewed coffee and espresso are the two essential coffee drinks for brewing a variety of flavors.
A brewed coffee is usually preferred with milk and other flavors. Some drink it without adding flavors.
Cafe au lait needs brewed coffee and milk to make a cup. Whereas, a latte adds one or two espresso shots with milk.
So, the real difference between the two, one ads espresso and the other uses brewed coffee.
Differences in the use of milk
Milk adds creaminess, sweetness, and texture to the coffee. However, some flavor adds more milk, and others use only a splash of milk.
A latte has double the volume of milk, no other flavor adds more milk than a latte. In fact, you can add more milk and add one espresso shot. The milk is steamed and frothed to create latte art.
This is contrary to café au lait, which adds milk equal to the volume of coffee. The ratio of milk to coffee should always be 1:1. Also, it requires warm milk without steaming it.
Latte vs cafe au lait: Difference in taste and texture?
If you’re a fan of rich, creamy, and smooth coffee flavor, a latte should be your first choice. This drink has more milk that is steamed and foamed, making a highly creamy and sweet flavor.
The latte art has an exclusive design that is created by Barista, making a unique texture. Also, the intense taste of espresso is reduces by high volume of milk. However, you can still taste hint of robustness of espresso.
On the other hand, Cafe au lait has a smoother and sweeter taste, since it adds less milk and brewed coffee.
A brewed coffee, compared to espresso, has less intensity and bitterness. However, if you prefer brewed coffee, café au lait is a better option for you.
A cafe au lait is a much stronger coffee than a latte.
Which drink has more calories?
If you’re wary of calorie content, you should check the ingredients. More milk means more calories. Also, adding extra flavors and sugar only adds to more calories.
Since latte has a larger glass with a high volume of milk has almost double the volume of calories than cafe au lait.
Is there any difference in caffeine level?
The caffeine content in coffee depends on the type of coffee beans and the difference in roasting process.
A brewed coffee has more caffeine than an espresso shot.
So, cafe au lait has more caffeine than a latte. A cup of cafe au lait has around 80 to 100 mg of caffeine. And a latte cup has around 63 mg of caffeine.
Cafe au lait vs latte: Which coffee flavor is more popular worldwide?
It’s an interesting debate: which drink has more followers and consumption around the globe? When you go around, you will see a latte is available in most coffee shops.
Latte adds espresso, which is a preferred drink for many. Italy is the origin of this flavor, and people have enjoyed its taste for centuries.
Cafe au lait has gained popularity in America. This is a French drink, has a significant existence in neighboring European countries. The combination of warm milk with brewed coffee has its fan base.
Generally, people prefer espresso over brewed coffee when it comes to making different variations. Espresso has so many flavors with the combination of steamed milk and espresso.
Starbucks and other coffee brands have lattes with different variations. Latte is the first choice of many when you visit any coffee shop.
However, latte popularity has no comparison. It is available almost in every country that loves espresso with milk. Other hand, café au lait will take time to get global recognition.
Check the difference between iced flat white vs latte.
Which drink is served in a larger glass?
It depends on the type and amount of ingredients that add to the flavor.
- Latte
Since latte has a high volume of milk, it is served in a large glass. A latte has two espresso shots and double the volume of milk. Also, milk is steamed and foamed.
The latte is prepared in a 240 to 280 ml size. It serves in 8, 12, or 16 oz. Size of glass.
- Cafe au lait
Cafe au lait is prepared in 6 6-oz cup size or at most it serves in 8 8-oz cup size. It is made in a 200 ml size.
Since it has a similar volume of milk to coffee without adding anything, it has a smaller serving size.
A latte has a larger glass size compared to a cafe au lait.
However, you can prepare a latte in a small size by adding one espresso shot with less volume of milk.
Can we make a cold version of cafe au lait and latte?
Yes, both drinks are flexible, and you can make them with different variations. You can brew these drinks for summer by adding ice cubes.
Iced latte
Latte drinks can also add ice cubes to made them cold and refreshing. Follow this brewing process.
Make an espresso shot and let it cool for a few minutes
- Put ice cubes into the glass.
- Add espresso to the glass of iced cubes.
- Pour cold milk into the glass and stir it.
Frozen Cafe au Lait
- Make a brewed coffee and let it cool.
- Use room temperature milk
- Add iced cubes, brewed coffee, and milk to the blender and blend for a minute.
Frozen cafe au lait is ready to enjoy.
Can we get different variations in latte and café au lait?
Yes, these drinks have so many variations and you can pick any one of them, your choice.
Café au lait variations
- Classic cafe au lait
A typical French cafe au lait is made with brewed coffee and warm milk. Also, a traditional drink used to add chicory to get a nutty, much stronger flavor.
- Café con leche
A Spanish drink made with espresso and scalded milk. This drink is much stronger than traditional café au lait.
- American cafe au lait
A slight difference from French café au lait, it is made with drip coffee and steamed milk.
- Milchkaffee
A German flavor quite similar to the French version. It serves a large mug, it uses brewed coffee and milk.
Latte variations
You can make multiple variations in cafe latte. This drink has different variations and flavors.
Here are the flavors that you can use in the latte.
- Vanilla latte
- Hazelnut latte
- Caramel latte
And many other flavors that you can add. Also, you can make latte variations without espresso.
- Matcha latte
- Lavender latte
- Chai latte
Final thought
Every coffee flavor has a unique and delicious taste. If you love brewed coffee, make cafe au lait. A traditional latte has steamed milk and espresso.
If you don’t like a high amount of milk, you can brew a cappuccino with less steamed and foamed milk and one espresso shot.
Coffee has many options that you can pick your favorite flavor with a slight change in ingredients.