Café au lait vs. latte: What is the difference?

Origins - where do these drinks come from?

If you’re wondering what is in a café au lait or latte, just look at their names. The terms café au lait and latte essentially mean the same thing – coffee with milk.

Café au lait originated in France as far back as the 17th Century. It was a drink of the aristocrats and quickly caught on, spreading from trendy Parisian cafés far and wide across Europe.

Latte can be traced to Italy, where it’s said to have been a popular breakfast drink in homes across the peninsula. The history there is a bit more foggy, but most coffee aficionados believe it grew in popularity when espresso machines became more common in the 20th Century.

Tip: The drink's full name is actually ‘café latte’, with latte meaning milk in Italian. So if you find yourself in Rome, remember to ask for a café latte, because a playful barista might just present you with a wholesome glass of milk instead of coffee.

Brewing methods for latte and café au lait

Is there a difference in brewing method? Yup! A cafe latte is always an espresso-based drink, while café au lait is made with strong, piping-hot coffee brewed in any way you like.

How to prepare coffee for café latte

The Italian latte has espresso as its base. This involves forcing a small amount of near-boiling water quickly through finely ground coffee under great pressure. It has to be done with an espresso machine with a pump, rather than by hand.

Espresso making is a culture all its own, with so many little nuances and techniques to master for that perfect flavour, mouth feel, and aftertaste. For a long time, having your own home espresso machine was the ultimate luxury. Now, it's an accessible indulgence that can be enjoyed every day.

KitchenAid's range of home espresso makers lets you call the shots. You can go for a Fully-automatic espresso machine to hit a button and be served that perfect coffee drink just the way you like it. Or if you're a bit of a wannabe barista who wants to grind coffee, tamp it, and layer the milk over the latte yourself, a Semi-automatic espresso machine will be your scene.

How to prepare coffee for café au lait

You can brew your coffee for café au lait in whichever way suits you. Some popular options are:

• French press (cafetière) method - Coffee grounds are fully immersed in water and strained with mesh to deliver a strong cup

• Drip method - This method steadily passes hot water through coffee grounds in a cone or filter

• Pour-over method - Similar to the drip, this involves pouring water through grounds to get a robust result

• Espresso - You could also make a café au lait using the perfect shot from an at-home espresso machine.

Adding milk to your café au lait or latte

Speaking of milk, that's the big difference between these drinks! A café au lait is quite simply the combination of coffee with steamed (heated) milk, giving it a nicely rounded and smooth feel. Milk was traditionally heated in a pan on a stove, and poured in a 50/50 coffee-to-milk ratio onto the freshly brewed cup, without needing any fancy foam on top.

A latte, though, has a velvety layer of milk that’s aerated to achieve that signature fine foam (called microfoam). It’s made with 2/3 steamed milk and ⅓ foam conjured up with the steam wand of an espresso machine. This gives the drink that fluffy texture on top.

How café au lait and latte are served

To complement the flavour profiles of these delicious coffee drinks, there are traditional ways they are presented. Look out for:

• Lattes served in a tall glass, which shows off the gorgeous layers of the drink

• Café au lait served in a classic coffee cup with a saucer and spoon.

Tip: In some cafes, both will arrive at your table in a short cappuccino cup. This means a café au lait could easily be mixed up with a cappuccino. So, how do you tell the difference between café au lait vs. cappuccino? It’s in the foam. A cappuccino has fluffy foam, while a café au lait sticks to good, old-fashioned hot milk.

Latte art and a beautiful presentation

Heard of latte art? Of course you have. It’s always fun to turn your head sideways and look at the sprinkles or patterns on the surface of your latte drink.

Many skilful baristas know how to expertly pour the milk to create shapes on the surface. You can go on courses and workshops to perfect this art form, which some have taken to mind-blowing levels. Think swans, hearts, or even a strangely flattering portrait of you. Making a big show of it on the counter is peak barista performance.

How to tell them apart from other coffees

Coffee is an obsession the world over, so there are countless variations of milky coffee drinks out there. If you’d like to know them really well, use this handy cheat sheet to help you choose a favourite. Next time, you’ll know the difference between café au lait vs. flat white.

Cappuccino: A balanced mix of 3 equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam, offering a strong coffee taste with a creamy texture.

Macchiato: An intense espresso drink topped with a small amount (‘a dollop’) of milk foam, showcasing the rich flavour of espresso with just a hint of milk.

Flat white: Made with a single or double shot of espresso, and featuring a thin (‘flat’) layer of steamed milk for a creamy texture and prominent coffee flavour.

Latte: A satisfyingly filling milky coffee made with a single or double shot of espresso, lots of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam on top.

Café au lait: Coffee brewed in any style is poured into a cup and topped with an equal amount of hot milk. It’s a classic 50/50 ratio that you’ll find served in a classic French coffee cup with a spoon.

Cortado: The same as a café au lait, but with espresso! Made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, it has a smooth texture without any frothiness.

Breve: An indulgent alternative to a latte, using half cream (called half-and-half in the US) instead of milk for a richer coffee experience.

Making all your favourite espresso drinks at home

Now that you’re able to tell them apart like a true coffee connoisseur, it’s time you try your hand at making these popular milky coffee drinks at home. KitchenAid's range of home espresso machines invite you to make customised favourites, from lattes to macchiatos, just the way you like them. Explore the collection and start crafting more-ish espresso drinks, while wearing comfies in your own kitchen. Heaven.