Caffè latte has become one of the most popular coffee beverages arond the world. The drink has been around in Europe since the 17th century, but the most common version today originated in Italy.
In Italian, caffè e latte means coffee and milk. These ingredients may sound simple, but there is an element of precision and skill needed when making the perfect caffè latte. This begins with a shot of espresso. While the espresso is brewing, it is time to steam the milk. This process takes a lot of practice to get right. This creates a silky smooth foam on top of the milk. The ideal caffè latte foam has such small bubbles that they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. Ideally, the foam is approximately half an inch thick.
When the milk and foam are poured into the cup with the espresso, a true master can do so in a way that creates a fun design on top. While not an essential part of a caffè latte, these designs make the drink more fun. This latte art has inspired a competitive spirit among baristas across the world.
