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A Guide to Cappuccino vs. Latte

The cappuccino and the latte are two beloved espresso-based drinks made with milk that each offer a different taste and a unique coffee experience. Their widespread popularity is a testament to the love for coffee that transcends continents and cultures.
A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink made of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, delivering a rich and balanced flavour. It's typically served in a small cup to maintain the perfect blend of its components.
A delicious cappuccino with a sleeve of Nespresso coffee and a sleek white Grand Lattissima machine on a table.
A latte is made with a shot of espresso, topped with steamed milk and a small amount of milk foam. It offers a milder, smoother flavour compared to a cappuccino and is often served in a larger glass to accommodate the added milk.
Two lattes, one with beautiful coffee art, sit on a wooden table next to an open book, laptop, and notepad.

At their core, both the cappuccino and latte share common DNA and a similar amount of caffeine, making them the go-to choice for a morning jumpstart or an afternoon pick-me-up. But beyond these similarities, each drink carries its own identity that can be distinguished by subtle differences in preparation, presentation, and taste.

In this article, you’ll get everything you need to learn about the differences between a cappuccino and a latte to help determine which drink is more ideal for your palette.

The main differences

Understanding the differences between a cappuccino and a latte can help you choose the coffee drink that best suits your taste. While they might look similar, their key differences lie in the ingredients and how they're put together. It's worth noting that, by definition, a latte is larger than a cappuccino, with more milk in its composition.

Ingredients and Ratios

Although both drinks start with a shot of espresso, how the milk is added makes all the difference. With a cappuccino, you'll get a strong coffee flavour with a little creaminess. But with a latte, you'll get a creamier, milder coffee drink that goes down smoothly.
A woman sits on a couch with her laptop and a coffee on her journal to avoid stains, with a Nespresso machine in the background.

Ingredients in a Cappuccino

A cappuccino is like a three-layer cake:

  • The bottom layer is a shot of espresso
  • The middle layer is an equal amount of steamed milk
  • The top layer is an equal amount of frothed milk or foam

So, if you were to measure it out, a cappuccino is a 1:1:1 ratio. This means that in every sip, you'll get a balanced taste of strong espresso, creamy milk, and frothy milk foam.
A Nespresso coffee sleeve, a Vertuo Pop machine, a creamy cappuccino in a white cup, and a glass all on a table.

Ingredients in a Latte

A latte, on the other hand, contains more milk. It's made with:

  • One part espresso
  • Three parts steamed milk

On top, you'll usually find a small amount of foam which is enough to leave a creamy texture on your lips. This gives a latte a milkier and creamier taste compared to a cappuccino. If you're someone who prefers a less strong or intense coffee flavour, a latte might be your go-to coffee drink.
A woman sits on her pink yoga mat with a latte resting on top of a few closed books.

Milk Texture

The way milk is prepared and added to cappuccinos and lattes play a huge role in differentiating the two drinks. It’s all about texture, and how it can change the entire feel and taste of a drink.

Cappuccinos: In a cappuccino, the milk is steamed but also frothed to create a thick, airy foam by using a milk frother. This frothed milk gives the cappuccino its signature rich and creamy texture. When you sip a cappuccino, you’ll first taste the frothy, light-as-air milk foam, followed by the perfect combination of espresso and steamed milk.

Lattes: Lattes have a smoother texture due to it having more steamed milk and just a little bit of foam on top. So, instead of a substantial layer of foam, like in a cappuccino, a latte has just a thin layer of foam that blends in with the steamed milk. This makes the latte creamier and gives it a velvety, smooth finish.

Preparation

The way a coffee drink is prepared can greatly affect its taste and texture, and this is especially true when comparing cappuccinos and lattes.

Preparing a Cappuccino

For a cappuccino, after the espresso shot is pulled, the milk is both steamed and frothed. Steaming the milk warms it up and starts to break down the sugars, giving it a sweeter taste. After that, the milk is also then frothed, which introduces a lot of air and creates a thick, frothy foam. This foam is then carefully poured on top of the espresso, forming the top layer of the cappuccino.
The result is a cappuccino with a balanced taste of strong espresso, creamy milk, and frothy foam.
A delicious cappuccino sits on a white table near glasses and a book.

Preparing a Latte

When preparing a latte, the milk is steamed, similarly to what is done with cappuccinos. But unlike a cappuccino, the milk isn't overly frothed. Instead, the steamed milk is poured directly into the espresso, mixing the two together. Finally, a small amount of foam is spooned on top to give the latte its signature look and add a bit of texture.
A latte with beautiful latte art sits next to a Nespresso capsule, half a kiwi, and some bread with cheese spread.

Serving Size and Style

The size and style of the cup or glass in which your coffee is served isn't just for aesthetics. It also impacts the balance of flavours in your drink and can even change your overall coffee experience. Cappuccinos and lattes are a perfect example of how serving size and style can make a difference.

Serving a Cappuccino:Cappuccinos are traditionally served in smaller cups, typically around 150-180 mL in size. By using a smaller cup, these proportions are kept in balance. Each sip of a cappuccino gives you a perfect blend of its ingredients. With that said, while the cup might be small, a cappuccino comes packed with a balanced flavour that can be savoured slowly.

Serving a Latte:Lattes, on the other hand, are often served in larger glasses, usually holding around 240-300 mL. This larger size is needed to accommodate the extra milk that makes a latte, a latte. Because lattes have more steamed milk and less foam, a larger glass helps keep the balance of espresso and milk.

Calories

The amount of calories in your coffee mainly comes from the milk and any added sugars or flavourings.

Lattes: A latte, which contains more milk than a cappuccino, tends to have more calories. To have more precision, you might need to refer to the nutrient's description of your favorite milk brand. A standard latte made with whole milk can have around 130-170 calories. This number varies depending on the type of milk you use, as well as the types of flavored sweeteners you add to the drink.

Cappucinos: A cappuccino, which has equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foam, usually has fewer calories. A standard cappuccino can range from 80-120 calories, depending on the type of milk used. The thick layer of foam adds volume to the drink without adding a lot of calories, which keeps the calorie count lower than in a milk-heavy latte.

If you're curious about the calories in your coffee, the amount is very minimal. If you're watching your calories, a cappuccino might be a lower-calorie option. However, it's still important to take into account any extras you might add, like sugar or flavored syrups, as these can significantly increase the number of calories in your coffee.

Taste Profile

Cappuccinos and lattes differentiate in taste and robust flavour based on the ratio of ingredients that make up each drink.

The Taste of a Cappuccino

Cappuccinos are known for their strong, robust flavor. The equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and foam create a perfect balance of tastes in each sip. While a shot of espresso always has a significant bitterness, it's important to mention that there are lightly roasted espressos that add indulgence and sweetness, making it possible to have cappuccinos to suit all tastes. The bitterness of the espresso provides a rich, dark base, which is smoothed out by the sweetness of the steamed milk. The frothy milk foam, with its light and airy texture, adds a soft layer of creaminess that ties it all together.
Two delicious cappuccinos rest on a tray in a bed near a book, perfect for a cozy morning in.

The Taste of a Latte

Lattes are on the milder side when it comes to espresso flavour. Because a latte uses a larger amount of steamed milk, the taste of the espresso is more subtle. Rather than taking center stage as it does in a cappuccino, the espresso in a latte acts more like a flavourful undertone, adding depth and richness to the creaminess of the milk. The overall taste of a latte is milkier and creamier, making it a great choice for those who prefer a smoother, less intense coffee drink.
A latte with beautiful latte art sits near a coffee table, next to a journal and glasses.

A History of the Cappuccino and Latte

Born in the heart of Italy, both beverages have left their mark on the global coffee culture while doing so in unique ways. Coffee has a rich and storied history, and the origins of the cappuccino and latte are no different. Both drinks have deep roots that reach back centuries, spanning different cultures and evolving over time.

The Origin of The Cappuccino

The story of the cappuccino begins in the 1700s. At that time, a coffee drink known as a "Kapuziner" was noted in Austria. This drink was a blend of coffee with cream and sugar and had a distinct brown colour that matched the robes of the Capuchin monks, hence the name. However, the "Kapuziner" was different from the cappuccino we know and love today. The modern cappuccino, characterized by its composition of espresso, milk, and foam, didn't make an appearance until the 1930s in Northern Italy. It was there that baristas began experimenting with espresso and milk, creating the balanced and flavourful cappuccino that has become a staple in coffee shops worldwide.
Three cups of coffee, two Nespresso capsules, a candle, and a small art piece all rest on a sleek marble console.

The Origin of The Latte

The journey of the latte began with the term "caffe e latte," Italian for "coffee and milk." This term was first used in English in an 1867 essay titled "Italian Journeys". But the latte as we know it today didn't become possible until much later. The development and refinement of espresso and milk-steaming technology were crucial to the creation of the modern latte. As these technologies improved, baristas were able to consistently create high-quality espresso and perfectly steam milk, allowing them to craft the creamy, smooth lattes that are so popular today. The history of both the cappuccino and latte are stories of innovation and evolution, shaped by advancements in coffee-making technology and the creativity of baristas. These two drinks have stood the test of time and continue to be cherished by coffee lovers around the world.
A white Vertuo Pop and an Aerocino sit on a rattan console with a coffee sleeve, milk in a glass, a delicious latte, and two potteries.

Table Comparison Between Cappuccinos and Lattes

Both cappuccinos and lattes hold a cherished place in coffee culture. Choosing between a cappuccino and a latte is solely personal preference as there is no real comparison when identifying which drink is “better”.

  • For those drawn to a robust, balanced blend of coffee and cream, a cappuccino could be an ideal choice.
  • For a milder, milkier and creamier drink, a latte could be a perfect match for those who prefer softer flavours.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the two drinks in terms of the different elements covered in this article:

One of the exciting aspects of coffee culture is the ability to personalize each drink. Nespresso products embody the spirit of customization, encouraging people to complement their cappuccinos and lattes with additional ingredients that suit each individual preference. It's important to note that using alternative milks, such as plant-based milk, will drastically change the taste of both a latte and a cappuccino. The use of syrups, alternative milks, adjustable temperatures, and a variety of coffee beans can all be seamlessly integrated into both beverages with Nespresso.



Nespresso products provide more than just coffee; They offer an experience that simulates a cafe-like ambiance from the comfort of your own home. With Nespresso, coffee lovers become creators, diving deep into the world of coffee and crafting the perfect cup. To experience cappuccinos and lattes in different ways, visit our recipe page to explore more elevated versions of coffee drinks.


Some of the most popular latte recipes available are:


Some of the most popular cappuccino recipes available are:




Whether the preference is a cappuccino or a latte, Nespresso always offers a unique coffee experience. Get all the tools needed to savour, explore, and perfect your coffee today.



If you'd like to learn more about different coffee types, check out our article here.