Description

• The standard coffee shop latte is milk, steamed to 160 degrees or less, with the steam wand of an espresso machine. The milk is poured into a cup containing fresh espresso shots. The latte is topped with a relatively short layer of velvety foam, to meet the lips.

Alternatives

• Soy, almond and lactose-free "milks" can all be delicious alternatives to a cow's milk latte. You may want to ask for the soy to be steamed "a little less hot," as it scalds easily and alters the flavor.

Americano

• An Americano is made in a similar way to the latte, but with hot water instead of milk. Hot water is added to a cup, and then espresso shots are added. The drink was dubbed the "Americano," because American tourists wanted to dilute their espresso shots to the flavor intensity and size of a cup of drip coffee. It still retains the flavor of espresso, like a latte retains the flavor of espresso, except without milk.