What Is The Difference Between A Latte And Cappuccino? Latte Vs Cappuccino

Learning what is the difference between a latte and cappuccino will ensure that you order the drink that you are picturing in your mind and the one that you really want.

These two coffee drinks are very different. With respect to those of you that are in a rush and looking for a quick answer, the difference between the two coffee beverages is the ratio of steamed milk to use and the pillow of fluffy foamed milk and sprinkle of chocolate powder on a cappuccino and the latte art on a latte.

Keep reading for a detailed look at the differences between a latte and a cappuccino.

What Is The Difference Between A Latte And Cappuccino?

Both a latte and a cappuccino are espresso drinks that are made with the same three key ingredients:

• Espresso.
• Steamed milk.
• Foamed milk.

Despite being made with the same ingredients, both these coffee drinks are very different from each other; it all comes down to how they are constructed and their ratios.

Read: What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?

How A Cappuccino Is Made

A cappuccino is made with a single or double shot of espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk using an espresso to steamed milk ratio of 1:1:1.

A sprinkle of chocolate is added on top of the frothed milk.

When ordered as an iced coffee, the frothed milk is replaced with whipped cream and the steamed milk replaced with cold milk. The rest of the drink remains the same.

A cappuccino is one of the most popular layered drinks with the distinct layers of coffee and milk with the airy milk froth on top.

Expect a strong bold coffee flavor with a light, airy bubbly texture and mouthfeel.

How A Latte Is Made

A caffe latte, another classic Italian coffee beverage, is made with a single or double shot of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam.

The espresso to milk ratio of a latte is 1:2, twice as much hot milk is used as there is espresso.

Only a fine layer of milk foam is added on top, typically 1 cm or 2 cm. Often you’ll see latte art on top of this coffee drink.

Expect a creamy rich coffee drink with a light coffee flavor cutting through the milk. Famed and enjoyed for the rich silky texture and mouthfeel.

The iced coffee version of this drink simply has the steamed milk replaced with cold milk.

Read: What is the difference between a latte cappuccino and macchiato?

Which Is Stronger: Latte Or Cappuccino?

Due to the way in which these two beverages are constructed, with the reduced quantity of milk in relation to the espresso shot, a cappuccino has a stronger and more prominent coffee flavor than a latte.

In terms of caffeine content, both a cappuccino and a latte have the same caffeine content as they are made with the same type of coffee, an espresso shot, be it a single shot of a doubleshot.

Cappuccino Caffeine Content

Let’s get to the total caffeine content of a cappuccino to help you manage your caffeine intake.

Here is how much you can expect for all drink sizes at Starbucks:

• Short 8 Oz (240 ml): 75 mg.
• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 75 mg.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 150 mg.
• Venti 20 Oz (600 ml): 150 mg.

Due to both Short and Tall as well as a Grande and Venti have the same amount of caffeine. This suggests that the larger drink size has more milk foam added and no extra espresso or steamed milk.

Latte Caffeine Content

Let’s now detail the total caffeine content of a caffe latte from Starbucks for all sizes that the drink is available in:

• Short 8 Oz (240 ml): 75 mg.
• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 75 mg.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 150 mg.
• Venti 20 Oz (600 ml): 150 mg.

Similar to a cappuccino, the Short And Tall as well as the Grande and Venti have the same amount of caffeine. This indicates that more foamed milk is used.

If more espresso was used, it would be noted in the caffeine content. Due to the varying calorie content of each drink (I’ll get to that in a moment) more milk and milk foam is used.

That larger drink size, you are probably paying for the milk and milk foam and not more coffee. That is why I stick to a Small or Grande size only.

Read: What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

Cappuccino Vs Latte Calories

It is always good to monitor your calorie intake in order to stay healthy and in shape, regardless of being on a diet or not.

Right off the bat it is clear that a latte has more calories due to more milk being used to make the coffee drink.

Let’s see how much calories are in both drinks for all drink sizes.

Cappuccino Calories

A cappuccino has the following total calorie count for all drink sizes:

• Short 8 Oz (240 ml): 70 calories.
• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 100 calories.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 140 calories.
• Venti 20 Oz (600 ml): 200 calories.

Latte Calories

A latte has the following total calorie count for sizes that this beverage:

• Short 8 Oz (240 ml): 100 calories.
• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 150 calories.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 190 calories.
• Venti 20 Oz (600 ml): 250 calories.

 Difference Between Flat White And Cappuccino

A flat white is often confused and mistaken for both a latte and a cappuccino.

Let’s have a look at what a flat white is to get a greater understanding of what this drink is and how it is different from a cappuccino.

How A Flat White Is Made

A flat white is an espresso based drink that is popular with Australians and Kiwis with a fair amount of debate regarding its origins be it Australia or New Zealand.

It is made with a double ristretto, which is a stronger and more focused espresso that is made with a coffee to water ratio of 1:1 instead of the 1:2 ratio of an espresso.

A ristretto is smaller than an espresso with only 20 ml (⅔ Oz) compared to 30 ml (1 Oz).

In terms of flavor, it is notably stronger, bolder and more intense than an espresso hot.

In addition to the double shot of ristretto, steamed milk is used in a ristretto to steamed milk ratio of 1:2. A flat while has a very fine layer of milk foam typically only 1 cm. It may have latte art on top.

Compared to a cappuccino it is notably stronger and creamier and more caffeinated with 130 mg of caffeine compared to 75 mg (or 195 mg vs 150 mg for the larger drink sizes).

Difference Between Latte And Flat White

Both a flat white and latte are very similar as they both use a coffee to steamed milk ratio of 1:2, have a fine layer of milk foam and latte art.

The subtle difference is the type of espresso used to make each of these drinks as a latte is made using a shot or two of espresso while a flat white is made with double or triple ristretto.

The result of this slight difference produces a cup of coffee that is notably stronger than a latte with a more prominent coffee taste breaking through the creaminess of the milk.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Is The Difference Between A Latte And Cappuccino

How Is A Latte Different From A Cappuccino?

A latte is very different from a cappuccino; let’s get a look at each drink and how they are constructed to help you get a better understanding of what the two drinks are and their differences:

• Café Latte: An espresso-based drink made with steamed milk, usually whole fat steamed milk, using an espresso to milk ratio of 1:2. Has a small layer of milk foam. May have latte art on top.
• Cappuccino: An espresso-based drink made with steamed milk, espresso and foamed milk in equal 1:1:1 ratios. Usually has a sprinkle of chocolate on top.

A latte has a rich creamy silky texture with a light coffee flavor piercing through the creaminess of the steamed milk.

A cappuccino is stronger with a bolder coffee flavor, and an airy light mouthfeel due to the milk foam topping.

Does A Latte Or Cappuccino Taste More Like Coffee?

Due to the reduced milk content and the more focused espresso to milk ratio, a cappuccino has a stronger and more prominent coffee flavor.

A latte is milkier, creamier and sweeter due to the higher ratio of milk than coffee being used, there is twice as much milk as there is coffee making them milkier whereas a cappuccino has an equal amount of coffee as there is milk.

Which Is More Bitter Cappuccino Or Latte?

Due to a latte having a greater amount of milk used to make the coffee beverage than a cappuccino, it is sweeter which by default means a cappuccino is more bitter than a latte.

Which Is More Creamy Latte Or Cappuccino?

Between a latte and a cappuccino, it is a latte that is more creamy due to having more milk used to make it.

A latte has 60 ml (2 Oz) of milk while a cappuccino has 30 ml (1 Oz).

Does A Cappuccino Need Chocolate On Top?

It is very common to see a cappuccino with a sprinkle of chocolate powder, although it is not obliged, it is very rare for a coffee shop not to put a cappuccino without a chocolate on top.

Is Latte The Strongest Coffee?

No, there are many other coffee drinks and espresso drinks that are stronger than a latte.

A latte is a pretty weak espresso drink with a fairly normal caffeine content of 75 mg per shot of espresso used.

Does Latte Have Sugar?

A latte without adding sugar or flavored syrup has the following amount of sugar for the respective drink sizes:

• Short 8 Oz (240 ml): 9 grams.
• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 14 grams.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 18 grams.
• Venti 20 Oz (600 ml): 23 grams.

This is the sugar content from the steamed milk and the coffee and free from added sugar.

Due to the healthy limit of sugar as set by the American Heart Association being 36 grams for men and 27 grams for women, suggest that you consider alternative sweeteners like honey and stevia to name just two.

Should I Add Milk In Cappuccino?

No, I advise against adding milk to yoru cappuccino as it is already made with steamed milk.

There are several different types of cappuccino that you can consider. If you like more milk, ask for an extra wet cappuccino, which is a cappuccino with more steamed milk and less milk foam.

Final Thoughts – What Is The Difference Between A Latte And Cappuccino?

Now that you know what is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino as well as a flat white you can, if you want to get a full on and a better understanding of their difference is by trying the drinks and experiencing their differences and uniqueness.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location