Cortado Vs Latte: 5 Distinctive Differences You Didn’t Know
Comparing Cortado VS Latte, is there really a difference?
Short answer. Yes, the core difference between a Cortado and a Latte is the volume of milk.
Trust me, the very first time I saw the word Cortado during my travels in Europe, I was equally confused when I got my drink. The very first thought that crossed my mind was, “Isn’t this a Latte?”.
Since then, I have embarked on a journey as a home brewer and barista. Today, I can proudly tell the differences between a Cortado and Latte.
In this blog post, I will be comparing every single parameter of a Cortado against a Latte and deep dive into all the differences when it comes to Cortado Vs Latte.
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At a glance: Cortado VS Latte
Key Difference Between Cortado And Latte
Both Cortado and Latte are espresso based drinks with milk. If you compare them this way, you may think that they are the same drink!
However, zooming in a little closer, there are actually multiple ways to tell a Cortado apart from a Latte. In fact, there are 6 differences between the Cortado and a Latte.
1. Brew Ratio
Head to your favorite cafe and order yourself a Cortado and a Flat White. The very first difference you will notice is the size of the coffee drink.
The Cortado is served in a smaller glass while a latte is served in a 6 oz cup or sometimes a tall glass.
You could immediately tell that the Cortado drink has lesser volume compared to the Latte. To put it into technical terms, the difference here is the brew ratio.
For the Cortado, the brew ratio is 1:1 which means 1 part espresso and 1 part milk.
On the other hand, the Latte’s brew ratio is 1:2 which means 1 part espresso and 2 parts milk.
Verdict: Simply put, the Latte is a more diluted version of a Cortado since it contains more milk.
2. Milk Texture
Traditionally, the milk for Cortado is only steamed but not textured. This implies that the milk is warmed over a stove just to heat it up before topping it on the Cortado’s espresso base.
So, you can expect little to no foam for a Cortado.
However, there are really no set rules on how a Cortado should be prepared other than the brew ratio of 1:1. So, it is not surprising to see some cafes preparing a Cortado with textured milk.
The Latte on the other hand is usually prepared with textured milk using a steam wand.
With the invention of the espresso machine in the year 1884, baristas have since started to texture milk with it. Hence, for the Latte, the milk topped on the espresso is usually textured, or in other words, frothed.
Although, traditional Latte also uses heated milk instead of frothed milk. The signature silky smooth frothed milk for Latte is now an absolute staple in most cafes around the world today.
Which is where the term “Latte Art” comes along and is deeply ingrained in the cafe culture in the modern world.
Furthermore, the textured milk gives the Latte the smooth creamy texture we are all so familiar with.
Verdict: Cortado is topped with heated milk while Latte is topped with a layer of textured milk.
3. Flavor Profile
Since we know the difference in brew ratio and milk texture for both Cortado and Latte, it is pretty easy to explain the flavor profiles.
First, the Cortado.
With only the espresso bases added with a similar volume of milk, the coffee flavor potency is definitely stronger. The natural tasting notes of the coffee beans will shine through in a Cortado.
Also, with a lesser amount of milk in the Cortado, this means there will be less room for error when preparing the espresso base. For example, the bitter flavors of an over extracted espresso is definitely evident in a Cortado in comparison to a Latte.
If your Cortado is prepared the traditional way, expect minimal to no foam sitting at the top of your Cortado. Without the milk texturing step, the drink will be relatively flat and less creamy compared to the Latte.
For the Latte, the coffee beverage is comparatively more milkier and has a creamier texture. This is because the milk for the Latte is textured with a steam wand.
Coffee flavor in a Latte will be less pronounced due to the amount of milk added. That said, you can still taste the coffee flavors quite well. Coffee beans with nutty and chocolaty flavor notes are especially great for espresso milk coffee drinks.
Verdict: Cortado has a stronger coffee flavor in comparison to a Latte. On the contrary, a Latte is weaker but has a milkier and creamier taste.
Author’s Note: Most cafe’s also offer flavored Lattes and the trend is further popularized by giants like Starbucks. In this case, the flavor syrups will be the dominant tasting note of the coffee.
4. Calories
If you are watching your calorie intake, this is a criteria to look out for.
With reference to the brew ratio above, the core difference between Cortado and Latte is the volume of milk.
The espresso component of both the espresso based milk drinks has essentially zero calories. The milk however is a different story.
Assuming we prepare both the Cortado and Latte with a double shot espresso (60 ml or 2 oz), this means the Cortado will have 60 ml (2 oz) of milk while the Latte will have 120 ml (4 oz) of milk.
Here’s a table comparing the calorific value of both Cortado and Latte.
| Whole Cow’s Milk (8 oz) | 150 calories |
| Cortado (60 ml | 2 oz Milk) | 37.5 calories |
| Latte (120 ml | 4 oz Milk) | 75 calories |
Alternatively, if you still want to enjoy your Cortado or Latte with less guilt, here are some milk alternatives you can try.
| Cow’s Milk (1%) | 110 calories |
| Cow’s Milk (Skim) | 80 calories |
| Unsweetened Almond Milk | 40 calories |
| Soy Milk | 80 calories |
Source: Healthline
So with reference to the table above, it seems the the unsweetened almond milk is your best choice if you want to lower down your overall calorie intake. And if you would like to sweeten your coffee guilt free, you can always opt for sugar-free syrups made for coffee beverages.
5. Country Of Origin
You can trace the origins of the Cortado to Spain. However, the details of the origins of the Cortado is not well documented.
Here’s my take on it.
As the term Cortado in Spanish implies diluting the espresso strength with milk. Perhaps the people of Spain simply use the word Cortado to ask for their espresso to be diluted with milk.
Eventually, the word was coined and accepted as a term for the coffee drink the Spanish love.
On the other hand, the term “Latte” first made its appearance in Italy as documented by William Dean Howells in his publication, “Italian Journeys”. However, the action of mixing coffee and milk was popular even back in the 17th century in Europe.
The Latte that we know of today was made popular after the Americans imported espresso machines from Italy after World War II. As they bring the coffee drinking culture to America, they add milk to the espresso to suit the taste buds of the Americans.
Author’s Note: Ordering a “Latte” in Italy and they will serve you a glass of warm milk. The correct term for an espresso based milk beverage in Italy is “Caffe Latte”. Don’t make this mistake!
Summary Of Differences Between Cortado And Latte
Putting Cortado VS Latte under a magnifying glass reveals differences that usually go unnoticed. To simplify the comparison and for your ease of reference, here’s a simple illustration describing the distinctive differences between Latte and Cortado.
Recommended Reads: Differences Between Iced Latte and Iced Coffee
Cortado VS Latte: Which Is Better?
Now that we have cleared the air regarding the differences between Latte and Cortado, how do you choose between them?
But before I answer that, we should first recap the definition of Cortado and Latte.
What Is A Cortado?
The Cortado is an espresso based milk beverage of Spanish origin, Basque Country specifically. Back in the days, the basic espresso was too strong for the mass majority and would prefer to dilute their coffee with milk.
And so the Spanish used to order milk coffee with the term Cortado where the term “Cortar” means to cut. In this context, milk is used to cut through the bitterness and acidity of the espresso.
Back then, Cortado was prepared in a 1:1 coffee to steamed milk ratio manner and the tradition has lived on till the present day.
It is the perfect drink if you enjoy having milk coffee with a stronger kick of coffee flavor.
What Is A Latte?
The Latte is also an espresso based milk drink but of Italian origin.
Unlike the Cortado, the Latte typically follows a brew ratio of 1:2 which means 1 part espresso and 2 parts milk.
With almost twice the amount of milk compared to the Cortado, the Latte is a much less potent cup of espresso based milk beverage. Perfect for those who dislike their coffee taste being too strong.
Author’s Note: Like the Latte, the Cortado is also often compared to a Flat White. Most of the points discussed here for the Latte apply to the Flat White too. The only difference is Flat Whites have a thinner layer of foam compared to a Latte.
Which Is The Better Drink For You?
As a home brewer and barista, I simply cannot choose a drink for you. Both Cortado and Latte are great coffee beverages and it all comes down to personal preference.
What I can do is to help you narrow down your choice based on your preference.
So here are the reasons to choose a Cortado or a Latte.
Reasons To Choose Cortado
- Preference for a stronger coffee drink.
- The flavor of coffee is you look for in your coffee drink.
- You are okay with small volumes of coffee drink.
Reasons To Choose Latte
- You prefer a weaker coffee drink.
- Milkier and creamier coffee drink better suits your taste buds.
- You want to enjoy your coffee over longer periods of time.
Author’s Note: Experience tells me the different cafes have their own take on Cortado. Some texture their milk, some don’t. It is best that you tell your barista your preference!
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Which Has Higher Caffeine Content, Cortado Or Latte?
This is highly dependent on the espresso shot base for the Cortado and Latte.
For the Cortado, we usually use a doppio (2 shots of espresso) while for the Latte we can opt for a single shot or double shot espresso.
So if you prepare both the Cortado and Latte with a doppio, they will have the same amount of caffeine!
The only difference is the volume of milk ratio to the espresso volume. While the Cortado might taste stronger, it has the same amount of caffeine content as the Latte.
For your reference, a single shot contains 63 mg of caffeine while a doppio contains 126 mg of caffeine. The FDA recommends a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine per day for a healthy adult.
No harm in having a Cortado and a Latte back-to-back on the same day.
FAQ On Cortado VS Latte
Is Cortado Stronger Than Latte?
Yes, Cortado is stronger than Latte. The reason is because the cortado is smaller with a stronger coffee flavor as the milk to coffee ratio is 1 to 1. The Latte on the other hand has twice the amount of milk for the same amount of coffee. Hence, the coffee flavor in Cortado is definitely going to be more pronounced.
Why Do People Drink Cortado?
People drink Cortado mainly because the basic espresso tastes too strong. By adding a little milk to the espresso shot, it balances up the flavor of the coffee. Doing this allows the milk to mellow the espresso while still allowing the flavor and nuance of the coffee to shine through.
What Does Starbucks Call A Cortado?
Unfortunately, you can’t find Cortados at Starbucks as it is not an official Starbucks espresso drink. However, there is a simple trick around this if you still want your Cortado. Simply request your barista to prepare a double shot espresso. Then, top it up with 2 oz of textured milk of your choice.
Is Cortado Same As Macchiato?
No, a cortado is not the same as a macchiato. The key difference distinguishing a Cortado and a Macchiato is that a Cortado is espresso coffee with an equal amount of steamed milk. On the other hand, a Macchiato is espresso coffee topped with a small amount of steamed milk with a dollop of foamed milk.
Closing Notes
That concludes the comprehensive comparison of Cortado VS Latte.
In summary, the Cortado is a stronger version of the Latte. So if you prefer the taste of coffee to shine through your drinking experience, Cortado is your best choice. If not, the Latte should be your go to beverage.
In any case, coffee preference always boils down to personal preference.
If you find this piece of article informational and have taught you a thing or two when comparing Cortado VS Latte, please share it with your fellow friends. baristas and home brewers!
Happy brewing!
