Caffe Latte: the coffee with a thousand names

We examine the history and spread of popular coffee.

Even if you are one of those who "swear" in plain coffee, the truth is that there would be times when you would not resist the charm of a delicious Latte. This hearty coffee, which combines espresso and milk, is ideal not only for breakfast, but also for any time of the day. Although its recipe is a combination known for centuries, its spread has been relatively recent, while in some countries it has acquired even ... a political tone! Let's get to know Latte better, this unique coffee.

A Brief History of Latte

Caffe Latte, ie the combination of coffee with milk, has existed in European gastronomy since the 17th century, only a few years after the spread of coffee in the Old Continent. However, it is a fact that in the beginning Latte was a drink made at home, usually as part of breakfast. References to coffee with milk in European or American restaurants and cafes are sporadic until the 20th century. Many historians have argued that although coffee with milk has been common in Europe for centuries, its commercial formulation has its roots more in America than in Europe. Of course, from the middle of the 20th century onwards, Latte is made with espresso, and now belongs to the large family of espresso drinks.

Latte is often confused with Cappuccino, but also with the Australian variant of Flat White, which in America is also called "wet cappuccino" in contrast to the traditional, "dry" cappuccino. The differences between the drinks lie in whether frothed milk or just warm milk is used, but also in the proportions of coffee and milk. Of course, despite its many names and minor differences in the preparations, Latte is always enjoyable, especially if it is prepared with a good blend, which mixes well with the milk.

The many names of Caffe Latte

Caffe Latte is a very popular drink, both in Italy and throughout the rest of Europe, but also in North America. Of course, each country has adapted it slightly to its own coffee culture and habits, and the name of the coffee also changes from country to country. Indicatively, the same drink gets the following names, depending on the country in which it is served.

Italy: Caffe Latte
English Speaking Countries: Latte
Spain: Café Con Leche or Café amb llet (Catalan)
Portugal: Galao
Northern Europe & Scandinavia: Café au lait
Germany: Milchkaffee

Of course, it is worth noting that almost none of the above is an inviolable rule and that the reality is fluid and sometimes different. In Italy, it is necessary to order "Caffe Latte" and not plain "Latte", since this word corresponds to plain milk. In almost all other non-Italian-speaking countries, the word Latte corresponds to coffee, and especially to the combination of espresso with milk, although several countries, such as the Iberian countries, have their own names, which are in everyday use. The French name "Café au lait" may mean the well-known Latte in the Scandinavian countries, but in France, if we order "Café au lait" they will probably serve us filter coffee with milk, since the well-known Italian drink has been called Latte. The same is true in Germany, where the name Milchkaffee, extremely popular in the past, is slowly falling into obscurity and is now considered obsolete. As for our country, the name is simply Latte - with the difference that not all baristas perceive the process in the same way, with the result that the drink differs a lot from coffee to coffee.

Latte as a field of political controversy

In some countries, and especially in North America, Latte has become a field of political controversy. Due to his increased popularity, the marginalization of more "traditional coffees" but also many times his increased price, Latte has become in the eyes of many conservatives synonymous with elitist behavior. "Latte drinkers" are described by many Republicans as intellectuals cut off from real problems, as wasteful young people, as carriers of new demons that threaten the traditional "American" or even "Canadian" way of life. In fact, studies show that the popularity of latte has nothing to do with political beliefs, as it is popular with the same percentage of Democratic and Republican voters, but this phenomenon is indicative of the cultural impact that a drink can have.



A coffee, many preparations, even more names - a pleasure that combines strong espresso with delicious milk!