Cafe Au Lait vs Latte: What The Difference?

What’s the difference between cafe au lait vs latte?

A lot of people might wonder about the differences between Cafe Au Lait vs Latte. So let’s make it clear right now!

Café au lait and latte are both popular coffee drinks. However, they have some differences when it comes to preparation. Latte is made with espresso and steamed milk, while café au lait is made with brewed Coffee and heated milk. You can add flavorings such as vanilla or nutmeg in either drink, but the presentation for each differs slightly: a latte has a layer of foam on top while a café au lait does not. 

A Latte is typically served in a larger cup with less milk than a Cafe Au Lait. A Latte also has more espresso shots, which means that the coffee flavor is stronger, and the drink contains more caffeine. The word “latte” comes from an Italian word meaning “milk.” A Latte is usually made by pouring steamed milk into espresso shots. There are many ways to customize your latte, including adding sugar or spices like cinnamon, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or nutmeg for flavoring. You can even make it without any milk at all!

This blog post will explore these two delicious beverages more in-depth so you can make an informed decision next time you’re at the barista station!

1. What is a cafe Au Lait?

As we can see, café au lait is a French drink quite different from its Italian counterpart. Unfortunately, this has confused the world as cafes such as Starbucks call it Caffe Misto, which still doesn’t make any sense!

If you’re in France, when it comes to café au lait, the espresso is served with steamed milk. It’s usually made in small bowls for ease of dunking pastries into your coffee drink; if not, French press or strong brewed Coffee are also excellent choices!

Otherwise, if a cappuccino cup is used outside of France, and instead, stronger brew methods like French Press will be better for this beverage- especially considering its delicious sticky mouthfeel that’s perfect on cold days!

The most democratic and accessible milk-based Coffee is the café au lait. It’s an ideal drink to enjoy at home because it doesn’t require a machine as lattes do.

The most famous regional variation of this classic French dish can be found in New Orleans. A combination of chicory with scalded milk makes for slightly bitter flavors, which they serve alongside sweet donuts called beignets. 

>> What’s an American Cafe Au Lait?

New Orleans has an American version of café au lait that is unique for a few reasons. First, chicory is added to the Coffee instead of steamed milk like in France’s recipe. Second, chicory imparts a very strong woody taste, making this drink more distinct than other versions you may have had before. 

Secondly, because there isn’t any steam involved with preparing New Orleans-style cafés au laits, they are boiled or scalded rather than just heated up water vapor as some cafes would do. Lastly, but most importantly, these drinks come served with a beignet, fried balls covered in powdered sugar – French donuts!

2. What is a latte?

A latte is a traditional Italian coffee drink made with steamed milk, espresso, and foam. It comes in a tall glass so you can see the layers of ground beans, foam, and warm liquid. The tasty treat has its art form, too: it takes skill to pour various amounts of each layer into your cup just right!

A latte is an Italian coffee beverage that consists of espresso and steamed milk. Traditionally, the European drink will be 8 ounces and have six parts steamed milk to 1 part espresso.

Lattes are often served in tall glasses so that their distinct layers can be seen: Coffee on top, followed by froth or foam between them both for texture. Finally, they’re topped off with artful designs called lattes — stylized images made from pouring steamed milk onto an already-made layer of foamy creaminess (known as microfoam). These designations require precise measurements and work best when done at home using professional barista equipment; some cafés train their staff well enough to pull.

Have you ever seen a café or coffee shop that sells lattes but no other espresso-based drinks? They’re probably just trying to hook their customers into the latte world. Lattes are one of those milky and mild coffees: they might be your “gateway drug” into more robust flavors like turmeric and matcha.

The article mentions many flavored versions of lattes; some even don’t include caffeine at all! If you want an idea for what flavor would work well with which meal (breakfast vs lunch), then check out our guide on how to make different kinds of tea using loose leaf teas such as English Breakfast tea leaves.

3. Difference between cafe au lait and latte

These are two of the most popular coffee drinks seen at cafes and coffee shops around the world. However, people have a hard time distinguishing between cafe au lait vs cafe latte differences. This article will explain what these types of drinks are, how they are different from each other.

a. Milk content

One way cafe au lait and latte differ is the amount of milk used. Cafe au lait uses much more steamed milk than a latte, which has at least double its volume in espresso.

Another difference that comes to mind between these two drinks is how thick their layers of foam are. Cappuccino’s layer is thicker but less present than café au lait’s thin one—which almost drowns out coffee taste entirely by covering it up entirely underneath the surface. If you order your latte made from an extra shot or shots, it becomes more robust; however, this makes for another drink known as a “cappuccino.” So why not just get that instead?

For cafe au lait, the ratio is usually 1:1 Coffee to hot milk. There’s no steaming of the milk or foam in this drink – just heated and brought almost to a boil. This means it won’t cool your drink when you add ice for an iced latte! For lattes, though, there must be some degree of froth from the steam coming off fresh-made espresso mixed with steamed/foamed up cow’s / goat’s / almond, etc. The classic version uses one part foamed liquid dairy (cow), one part crema(this can also include egg yolk), and three parts straight liquid black brew-strength drip ground beans.

While espresso is quite strong, the milk in a latte will mask that flavor. On the other hand, filter coffee contains just as much hot liquid but tastes more of brewed beans because there’s no mix-in involved to drown out its taste.

b. Coffee 

Alright, let’s talk about the Coffee used in these drinks. They both use strong Coffee, but they do it differently. Cafe au lait is usually made with filter coffee because at one point, it was a staple of the masses and that kind of brewed beverage was most common to drink caffeine out of (that isn’t tea). But since black coffees are often too harsh for some people, exceptionally when proportioned like this, adding milk became an option along with sugar – which many cafes also put down on their menus anyway!

A strong cup of Coffee can be made using a French press, Turkish ibric, or filter. To make the process extra snazzy and classy, you could use a french press to brew your drink. You will also achieve an earthy taste from this method which is different from other methods.

Alternatively, those who love their caffeine but don’t want such fancy equipment lying around at home. Ibrics can create very delicious cups of Coffee with less hassle than conventional ways. Drip machines require some experience to produce truly stunning results, so if one has no prior knowledge, it’s best not to start here first! The milk used should always be 1:1 ratio meaning there needs to equal amount of each ingredient added into

When making latte art, crema is the most critical aspect of an espresso. Since only espressos make this cream and it’s a significant factor in determining if your drink will be aesthetically pleasing or not, we know that no other coffee type can achieve such quality as per customer standards.

c. Latte is specific drink, while cafe au lait is different

The ingredients of a latte are particular and can affect the taste. For example, if you add espresso first, followed by steamed milk and then foam on top, this will result in a different flavor than if you added the cream before anything else.

To me, there is nothing more amazing than lattes. They are so beautiful and regal that it’s almost like art on a cup. That being said, I can understand why some people would prefer cafe au lait instead since the milk foam takes away from how aesthetically pleasing these drinks shine for you:

After starting college and drinking my Coffee black as an espresso at home, one day in class, they brought out ibric pots to make Turkish Coffee with; this was when I decided to add milk or sugar made too much sense not to do (unless your drink of choice doesn’t need them).

No one can tell me what a cafe au lait is because it’s such an open-ended term. Some go heavy on the milk and turn into flat whites, others add a few drops of milk to make them café au laits, but I’m free to do whatever I’d like with my Coffee!

When people in the U.S. think of Coffee, they usually imagine an iced latte or a frappuccino with whipped cream and sprinkles on top; however, there is another kind of coffee drink that everyone’s grandma knows about: cafe au lait! Cafe au lait was created because it resembles a bitter-tasting boiled cup of Coffee but contains more milk than water. So it can be drunk at any time of day without worrying too much about sleepiness affecting productivity levels throughout the rest of the workday hours due to caffeine overload from drinking caffeinated beverages all morning long (Source). 

In New Orleans, this type of beverage originated when food supplies were scarce and money for importing items like natural coffees could.

In this case, you add milk to Coffee. Again, it’s an effortless drink that people often serve at home when they have guests from out of town who don’t want an “exotic” beverage. In Europe, however, it became popular enough for restaurants to start offering them on the menu despite being such an essential and standard drink in some places around the world like America or France itself!

d. Serving size

Cafe latte (or just latte) will be a certain amount of servings depending on how many people are drinking it and the size you want your drink in.

It’s usually about 10 oz/300 ml total, counting all parts like espresso shots, steamed milk, or even any foam added to make it thicker with bubbles if desired. You’re not going to get less than this unless you specifically ask them. Because that would mean shorting out an espresso shot which isn’t good either way since 3 ounces per cup making up 8-12 cups when served at once across each table within minutes makes one feel sick quickly due to caffeine overload! This includes pretty much every cafe latte worldwide.

There are different serving sizes depending on the brewing method. If you’re looking for a small 6 oz/177 ml cafe au lait, there will be places that sell it to you. You can also get larger servings like 12 oz/354 ml if that’s what your heart desires!

It very much depends on the type of Coffee being served in cafes and restaurants around you. For example, filter coffee is usually prepared using large pots, so smaller portions may not suffice. At the same time, Turkish or espresso-based drinks have tiny cups meant for just one sip at a time because they pack quite an intense punch due to their concentrated flavors.”

e. Appearance

Latte art is a beautiful thing to look at and an even more difficult skill to master. The milk foam you get in cappuccinos adds another layer of intricacy for the artist trying their hand out on latte creations.

Latte art can be found worldwide, but its thickest form comes from cafe au lait, which has no such artistic mark due to its simple nature compared with other lattes like cappuccino.

I think a bit of milk foam to your cafe au lait isn’t unheard of. However, since the definition seems so flexible, I don’t see why you couldn’t add it to this drink with no crema contrasting with the milk foam. Latte art would be much harder, though, as there is nothing for contrast!

f. Calorie 

Coffee drinks can contain a large variety of calories, depending on the milk used. Here is easy to read the table, so you know exactly how much your Coffee will issue in:

There are many different kinds of milk that one could use with their morning cup o’ joe! Some options include whole milk or skim milk, and others like almond milk, such as non-dairy alternatives. I’ve made this lovely little chart that tells you just how many extra calories each option adds; make sure to take note when ordering next time!

Coffee:	Amount of milk:	Milk used:	Number of calories:
Café au lait	1/2 cup (0.12 l)	Whole milk	73 calories
Café au lait	1/2 cup (0.12 l)	2% fat milk	61 calories
Café au lait	1/2 cup (0.12 l)	Nonfat milk	43 calories
Latte	3/4 cup (0.18 l)	Whole milk	110 calories
Latte	3/4 cup (0.18 l)	2% fat milk	92 calories
Latte	3/4 cup (0.18 l)	Nonfat milk	65 calories

A latte coffee is made with more milk than a café au lait. This means that you’ll consume more calories when ordering a latte over the cafée au lait because of this added calorie boost from an increased amount of milk in your beverage.

4. How to make caffe latte vs cafe au lait at home 

1) Make caffe latte at home 

A latte, or cafe latte, is a shot of espresso with steamed milk and foam on top. This means you can’t make it at home without having an espresso machine available to insert the shots into your coffee cup.

A Latte (or Cafe Latte) describes exactly what its name suggests-espresso combined with steamy hot milk that creates rich, creamy frothiness in cups made for this beverage alone! Latting’s aren’t just fun drinks, but they’re also healthy. Using fresh ingredients like whole kinds of milk ensures there isn’t any loss of vitamins during processing & heating, making these beverages healthier than other caffeinated beverages out there. (though I still think people should drink water instead!)

To make a latte at home, you’ll need to prepare three things: <e>espresso</e>, milk foam, and steamed milk. You can add the ingredients in this order for a more vibrant design on your cup of Coffee. Or if adding them in another way will be better depending upon what kind of look you want on top of your drink!

2) Make cafe au lait at home

Cafe au lait is simple to make at home with a filter machine, small coffee pot, or French press. Most people have one of these.

Boil the water and add it over your ground beans in your french press/coffee maker until they are covered by about an inch worth of liquid (the appropriate amount will depend on how big the brewer is). 

Let this steep for 4-5 minutes before pressing down gently so that all grounds remain submerged underwater while pushing back up any floating debris from reaching the top where you would be pouring out finished brew into another container. The longer brewing time produces a fuller-bodied cup with a more robust flavor but can result in bitterness toward the end when sipping because there’s too much caffeine left.

If you want to add a bit of milk foam, that’s all right. You can also lightly froth your whole cup for another cafe au lait version. However, if doing this, be aware it will take up more space in the cup since bubbles expand inside when they’re agitated like this!

5. How much caffeine is in cafe au lait and latte?

Coffee shops are known for their caffeine-rich drinks, but have you ever wondered how different coffee types stack up against one another? In this article from The Caffeine Informer website, we’ll take a look at the average amount of caffeine in three beloved café beverages: a café au lait contains 90 mg de caféine.

A latte has 68 mg of total caffeine content. Because there can be so many variations to each drink’s preparation method and brewed coffees used as its basis, I’ve taken an “average” measure based on what is typically served across cafe chains nationwide (e.g., Starbucks). Whether you are interested in other common forms or methods related to Brewing coffee.

6. Is café au lait stronger than latte?

A café au lait is more potent than a latte since it has twice the espresso and uses less milk. A strong shot of brewed Coffee combined with steamed milk makes for an intense flavor in latte drinks. Conversely, because there are equal parts of both brewed Coffee and steamed milk used in making cafés au lait, this drink tastes more mellow despite having double the strength compared to that found within lattes.

7. Latte vs cafe au lait, which is better?

There are many different types of Coffee, but it’s a matter of personal preference. For example, I prefer drinking café au lait because I like the taste because it has fewer calories than latte does. On the other hand, it doesn’t necessarily mean that lattes have higher calorie counts as well—it all depends on what you’re looking for! If you want something light with less caffeine and more milk to your liking, then go for a latte instead.

When choosing your favorite Coffee, order both and try them out next to each other. This way, you can taste the difference yourself!

8. Where to buy cafe au lait vs latte

Suppose you are looking for the best latte in town, head over to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. They offer a variety of different espresso drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and Americanos!

Another place that offers cafe au lait is Dunkin’ Donuts. You can find these at almost every corner store in America. Their Café Au Lait starts with sweetened condensed milk mixed in hot water before adding brewed Coffee to create a delicious latte drink that tastes as it came.

Or you can buy these drinks online easily. 

FAQs about cafe au lait vs latte

Q1: Is latte the same as the cafe au lait?

Latte is more of a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. Café au lait uses brewed Coffee, but it has steamed milk added without any foam. These drinks are not the same.

Q2: Is a café au lait healthy?

The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics suggests that nine-year old children consume three servings per day of calcium rich foods. One serving can be found in a cup (8 oz.) Café Au Lait, which contains 300 mg out of the 1300mg recommended daily intake. The bones are thanking you!

Q3: Is a latte healthy?

A cup of latte in moderation helps to prevent cardiovascular disorders and aids the burning of fat. It also makes your skin glow, works as a memory booster, relieves muscle pains, and fights infections. To make it more interesting, we can add different varieties like turmeric or beetroot lattes which yield similar benefits but taste completely new!

Conclusion 

Cafe Au Lait vs Latte is not the same drink; both are good for health in their way. 

I like both café au lait and latte, but I prefer Café Au Lait. The most significant advantage of a café au lait is that you can use your favorite brewed Coffee as its basis while making it at home, which makes this kind of drink easy to make.

The most significant advantage a café au lait has over a latte is that it can be made with your favorite brewed Coffee as the foundation. As a result, you don’t need any fancy tools or unique ingredients to make either of these drinks, which makes each one easy to prepare at home – whichever you prefer more comes down entirely to personal preference!

See more:

Is There Caffeine In a Chai Latte?