Ordering a Latte in Italy Gets You a Glass of Milk
A latte is espresso with steamed milk. In Italian the word means milk alone, so the full name is caffè latte.
A latte is espresso with a large quantity of steamed milk. English shortened the Italian *caffè latte*, coffee with milk, to the second word — which in Italian means only milk. Ordering *un latte* in Italy will get you exactly that, a glass of milk, since the coffee is the part English dropped. The word entered English through American coffee houses in the 1980s.
- Espresso with milk. *A vanilla latte.*
- Caffè latte — the full Italian. *Un caffè latte.*
- Cappuccino — more foam, less milk. *A cappuccino.*
- Flat white — less milk, no foam layer. *A flat white.*
- Italian — *latte*, milk. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | latte | A latte. |
| Plural | lattes | Two lattes. |
| Full form | caffè latte | Caffè latte. |
| Italian | latte | Milk. |
| Related | lactose | Lactose. |
- She ordered a large latte.Coffee shop.
- In Italy, ask for a caffè latte.Travel note.
- Latte simply means milk.Etymology.
Espresso drinks compared
- Espresso — the base shot alone
- Macchiato — espresso marked with a little milk
- Cappuccino — equal espresso, steamed milk and foam
- Latte — espresso with much more milk, thin foam
- Flat white — espresso with steamed milk, no foam layer
Italian *caffè latte*, coffee with milk, from *latte*, milk, from Latin *lac*. English shortened it in the 1980s.
What happens if you order a latte in Italy?
You will be served a glass of milk. The coffee is named by caffè, which English dropped.
What is the difference between a latte and a flat white?
A flat white has less milk and no distinct foam layer, giving a stronger coffee flavour.