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Occasionally you might be looking at a cafe’s drinks menu and there is a name that you don’t recognise. When this happens you have a few options but one line you know you don’t want to walk is asking that smug barista what a drink is.

That’s why we are here to help!

Our goal at Kings of Caffeine is to make you as informed as possible so you can confidently strut into that café and order a coffee that you know you’ll love!

So if you have ever wondered…

What’s the difference between a Latte vs Café au Lait?

Then wonder no more!

We will explain in clear and concise language the difference between a Latte and a Café au Lait and offer up the answers to any other related questions we think you might be interested in.

Now, let’s jump in!

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What is a Latte?

A Latte (also known as a Caffè Latte) is one of the most popular coffee drinks you are likely to find and it is quite simply a coffee with milk.

Like a lot of caffeinated drinks there isn’t really an official size. It is, however, most commonly served in an 8 ounce (240ml) cup and made up of approximately 1/5th Espresso (usually 1 shot) and 4/5ths steamed milk, with a small amount of (approx. 1 – 2cm) foamed milk on top.

Where does the Latte get its name?

The name Caffè Latte translates directly from Italian to coffee with milk (no surprises here!).

What does a Latte taste like?

The amount of milk in a Latte dilutes the taste of the Espresso making it quite a mild tasting coffee. This is why it is a firm favourite for coffee lovers and occasional coffee drinks alike.

The Latte has a very similar taste and mouth-feel to the Cappuccino, albeit slightly more subtle in flavour and more luxurious in mouth-feel thanks to the amount of steamed milk, which coats the inside of your mouth.

What is a Café au Lait?

The Café au Lait is usually not Espresso based but rather strong brewed coffee, often made with a Cafetière. To this hot milk is added (commonly steamed) in a 1:1 ratio, so 1 part coffee to 1 part hot milk.

It should officially not have foamed milk on top, but the rules in coffee are always being flexed.

Finally, the Café au Lait does not have an official size but is usually served in your classic French coffee cup (approximately 300ml or 10.5oz) as seen below.

Cafetières we love!

Cafe Du Chateau French Press

Secura French Press Coffee Maker

BODUM Chambord French Press

Veken French Press Coffee

Where does the Café au Lait get its name?

Like the Caffè Latte, the name Café au Lait translates directly to coffee with milk, this time from French.

What does a Café au Lait taste like?

The use of brewed coffee in the Café au Lait rather than Espresso gives a more subtle flavour which can be easily controlled by how strong you make the brewed coffee, how dark the roast is, etc.

It is a milky coffee (surprise, surprise!) and it’s the amount of milk that gives it its nice, smooth flavour.

People often ask…

Is a Café au Lait sweet?

Technically no but in America it is often served with sweet pastries.

What Is The Difference Between A Latte And A Café au Lait? (Latte vs Café au Lait)

There are a few differences between a Latte And A Café au Lait, let’s go through them!

  1. The Latte has a base of Espresso whereas the Café au Lait has a base of brewed coffee.
  2. The Latte is 1 part Espresso to 4 parts milk, the Café au Lait is 1 part brewed coffee to 1 part milk.
  3. The Latte is topped with milk foam, whereas the Café au Lait is not.

What Is The Difference Between A Latte And A Café au Lait? (Latte vs Café au Lait)

The Latte will taste stronger:

The Latte is by no means a strong coffee drink and even though it will have more milk than the Café au Lait, its Espresso shot will increase its strength.

The Latte will have a nicer mouth-feel:

The amount of steamed milk used in the Latte will make the mouth-feel slightly more silky and indulgent.

What Is The Difference Between A Latte And A Café au Lait? (Latte vs Café au Lait)

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Which has less calories, the Latte or the Café au Lait?

For those of us watching our waists and wanting to know which has less calories between a Latte and a Café au Lait.

It basically comes down to the size of the drink and more specifically the milk content. With that in mind a Latte will normally have more calories than a Café au Lait.

For an example of this, the following calorie information has been taken from Starbucks UK:

Calories in a Starbucks Latte made with skimmed milk

Short: 60 Kcal

Tall: 102 Kcal

Grande: 128 Kcal

Venti: 168 Kcal

Calories in a Starbucks Café au Lait made with skimmed milk

Short: 35 Kcal

Tall: 47 Kcal

Grande: 69 Kcal

Venti: 92 Kcal

Calories in a Starbucks Latte made with whole milk

Short: 108 Kcal

Tall: 181 Kcal

Grande: 228 Kcal

Venti: 298 Kcal

Calories in a Starbucks Café au Lait made with whole milk

Short: 64 Kcal

Tall: 86 Kcal

Grande: 126 Kcal

Venti: 169 Kcal

For the whole list of Starbucks’ nutritional information click HERE.

Which has more caffeine, the Latte or the Café au Lait?

Even though the 2 drinks come from completely different coffee brewing methods the Latte and the Café au Lait have about the same amount of caffeine.

Which one should you order? (Latte vs Café au Lait)

As always try both, but I would suggest ordering the Latte as it has an Espresso base and making a Café au Lait yourself!

That’s it, thanks for reading!

As always if you have any questions or feel like we have missed anything please send your questions/suggestions to [email protected]

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