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You may have noticed lattes are becoming increasingly popular with coffee drinkers. Whether it’s creating lattes and latte art at home with your Nespresso machine or ordering out at your favourite café, more and more New Zealanders are embracing lattes and adding them to their daily routine.
You may have discovered lattes yourself and been won over by the flavour and texture.
Or, maybe you’re not sure what a latte is, how to make one or how many calories they contain. Wondering what are the best coffee machines to make a latte, lattes vs cappuccinos and flat whites or how to make a latte if you’re looking for a dairy free alternative.
Nespresso’s complete guide to lattes has you covered. We’ll answer your essential questions and give you some tips on how to create the perfect latte.
What is a latte?
If you’re wondering what a latte is or how it differs from other types of coffees, like cappuccinos or espressos, read on.
A latte is a coffee made with espresso and hot steamed milk. While similar to a cappuccino it contains more milk. It’s generally a double espresso shot of 60ml, a glass or cup of steamed milk and a little foam on top. It’s not known for chocolate powder on top like cappuccinos, but some baristas like to explore their creative side and add a little latte art to their cups. More on that later.
Latte vs cappuccino
Lattes have become a popular choice for many coffee drinkers in recent years, even rivalling the popularity of cappuccinos for New Zealand coffee drinkers. But how is a latte different to a cappuccino?
A latte is very similar to a cappuccino, with espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. The main difference between a cappuccino and a latte is the amount of milk.
A latte has a lot more milk than a cappuccino.
Latte vs flat white
To compare with a flat white, a flat white has less froth and milk than a latte. A flat white is often textured, velvety milk and espresso. The milk used in a flat white is not diluted by milk foam, making it a slightly more intense drink. It’s important to remember they are different to a latte.
How to make a latte
You’ll need your favourite espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. Prepare an espresso and pour it into a latte glass. You can also add flavouring to your latte, like caramel flavouring, to add a little extra to your coffee experience. Add steamed milk to the latte glass, before topping with foamed milk. And add a little latte art if you’re feeling creative.
Dairy free alternatives for your latte
Whether you’re a milk drinker or you drink dairy free alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, oat milk and others, there are lots of coffee options. All of these milks can be enjoyed in a latte. It’s just a matter of taste testing a few and working out what you like best and what gives the best taste, froth and volume.
Many of these dairy free alternatives are available at your local café or you can create your own delicious lattes and other coffee drinks at home with your own coffee machine.
How many calories in a latte?
A regular skim milk latte has about 86 calories. The same size latte with full cream milk has quite a few more calories, about 157 calories.
If you’re opting for a dairy free alternative like soy milk, a regular size latte will be about 154 calories.
How do the calories compare to cappuccinos and flat whites?
Compared to a cappuccino, lattes do have a slightly higher number of calories for both skim and full cream milk. A standard cappuccino with 220ml of skim milk has about 70 calories, while a similar amount of full cream milk has about 120 calories. For soy milk, it increases slightly.
If you want to compare lattes and flat whites, here are the numbers. A regular sized flat white with skim milk has about 88 calories, while one with full cream milk has 163 calories, and soy milk a little less with 157 calories.
Best coffee machines for making a latte
There’s a lot to consider when buying a coffee machine. Nespresso has coffee machines to suit all budgets, space requirements, tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a morning coffee drinker, or make multiple coffees for your family or office, Nespresso has a coffee machine to suit.
If you’re a latte drinker, most of Nespresso’s coffee machines will tick all your boxes. Let’s cover some of the popular choices.
Create a latte, cappuccino or flat white with Nespresso’s range of coffee machines. Easy to use and clean, they’ll make creating a coffee for your own enjoyment or for family and friends super easy.
Nespresso Original coffee system
Nespresso offers two coffee machine systems, including the Nespresso Original. With 28 coffee capsule flavours and blends, you can create hot and cold drinks, from lattes and cappuccinos, ristrettos, espressos, lungos to long blacks and iced coffees.
If you’re a latte drinker, most of Nespresso’s coffee machines will tick all your boxes. Let’s cover some of the popular choices.
Stylish and easy to clean
The Lattissima One coffee machine comes in a range of colours. Choose a colour that will fit you and your lifestyle. If you’re after a top-quality Latte Machiato then look no further. The Lattissima One contains a new and innovative fresh milk system that makes preparing your coffee and milk drinks simple. All you need to do is fill the milk jug with the desired amount of milk for your chosen drink. The coffee machine will froth it straight into your cup and brew your coffee just as you like it.
Cleaning is a breeze, with a dishwasher safe milk jug. Best of all, the Lattissima One is a more affordable and compact machine than its predecessors, making it an easy addition to your kitchen. For the latte drinkers, it will create a top-quality Latte Machiato and a variety of other coffees, like cappuccinos to keep everyone happy.
Lattes, espressos and cappuccinos are a breeze
Another coffee machine in the Nespresso Original system range is the Lattissima Touch. It can create lattes, espressos and cappuccinos and with six one-touch settings making a coffee doesn’t get much easier.
How to make the perfect latte with a Nespresso coffee machine
It’s easy to make a latte with a Lattissima One, Lattissima Touch coffee machine or the steam nozzle of your machine. Alternatively, you can use a milk frother to make a latte.
Nespresso’s latte how to:
- Choose a Vivalto Lungo or Fortissio Lungo capsule in the lungo size (110ml) and fill your cup
- Froth the milk using your Aeroccino milk frother or the steam nozzle of your Nespresso coffee machine
- Pour the steamed milk into the cup and top with a layer of frothed milk
- Add sugar as needed
- Enjoy with your favourite morning or afternoon treat
Latte art
Latte art is a way of making coffee by pouring microfoam or froth into a shot of espresso. The end result is a pretty pattern or design on top of the latte. It’s also possible to draw something in the top layer of the foam, taking a simple latte to the next level and having a bit of fun.
Our experts have put together a beginner’s guide on how to make your own latte art at home. With the right equipment, a little bit of know-how, together with practice and coffee-drinking, you’ll be able to create your own latte art in no time.
What equipment do you need to create latte art?
- A jug
- A cup
- A latte art tool or if you’re starting out, a toothpick or something similar
- Espresso machine
- Coffee
- Milk
Nespresso has created a beginner’s guide to making your own latte art at home, filled with the history of latte art, tips from our experts on how to create latte art and the right milk base for your latte or hot beverage.
The final word on lattes
Lattes are a popular choice for coffee drinkers and it’s easy to see why. They offer flavour, texture, can be made with a variety of milks and milk alternatives and can easily be made at home.
Whether you’re a latte, cappuccino or flat white coffee drinker, Nespresso has a coffee machine and capsule for you. Discover your personal Nespresso experience with our coffee selection guide.
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