How to Make and Taste Latte Coffee: Correct Flavor Profile and Texture Characteristics - The Right Espresso Blend Ratio for Latte Coffee Beans

As one of the most common coffee beverages, latte is also the most popular espresso-based coffee series at FrontStreet Coffee. So how is a latte made?

What is Latte Coffee?

The emergence of latte coffee predates espresso coffee by many years. Europeans have been mixing coffee and milk since at least the 17th century. William Dean Howells first used the term "caffè latte" in his 1867 essay "Italian Journeys." At this point in history, coffee began to cause a worldwide sensation, but since espresso machines had not yet been invented, brewing methods remained very primitive.

Actually, "latte" is the transliteration of the Italian word "Latte," which means milk. So in Italy, if you order a latte, you might get a glass of milk. Therefore, latte coffee essentially means milk coffee. With the emergence of espresso machines, steam wands became standard equipment on espresso machines, making it easy to heat milk on the coffee machine, and modern latte coffee took shape. In the 1980s, baristas from Seattle, Washington began using rich, textured milk to "paint," which became the prototype of latte art.

The ratio of milk to coffee, bean selection, extraction parameters, and other factors will vary slightly in each coffee shop. However, generally speaking, latte is a coffee beverage made by mixing a large amount of milk with espresso. Different coffee beans will produce different latte flavors, different milks will also create different latte flavors, and even different ratios of coffee to milk can present different flavors.

What Coffee Beans Are Best for Making Latte?

Generally speaking, coffee beans used for making latte must be suitable for espresso machines, so very light-roasted coffee is not suitable for making latte. The darker the roast of coffee beans, the stronger the coffee flavor in the latte (caramel, bitter). The lighter the coffee beans, the more prominent the milk flavor in the latte. Therefore, the roast level should be moderate to allow coffee and milk to better complement each other.

FrontStreet Coffee uses their own house-blend Frontsteet Sunflower Warm Sunshine Espresso Blend, which is currently Frontsteet's most proud blended coffee creation. It's made from Frontsteet Honduras Sherry Coffee and Frontsteet Yirgacheffe Natural Red Cherry Coffee, creating rich chocolate, caramel, and pleasantly intoxicating flavors when infused with milk.

How to Make Latte Coffee

Frontsteet's latte recipe is 1:6.5, meaning 40g of espresso mixed with 260g of steamed milk.

Frontsteet's espresso extraction method uses 20g of coffee grounds to extract 40g of espresso liquid in 27 seconds, serving as the base for the latte.

Next comes frothing the milk. First, we need a steam wand, which most semi-automatic coffee machines are equipped with. Second, we need a container for milk, such as a milk pitcher or latte art pitcher (professional tools will make the process much more efficient).

Finally, there's the milk selection. Whether it's room temperature or refrigerated milk, whole milk or skim milk, both can be frothed, but if you want better texture, flavor, and stability and longevity, Frontsteet still recommends using refrigerated fresh whole milk.

1. Optimal Capacity for Milk Frothing

Frothing milk requires a reasonable frothing capacity. Frontsteet recommends using 40-60% of the pitcher's total capacity. Too little or too much milk will test your frothing technique. Of course, besides this factor, you should also consider the actual amount of milk used per coffee to avoid excessive waste. Frontsteet uses a 550ML pitcher with 250ML of milk injected (just reaching the bottom of the pitcher spout).

2. Frothing Position

Before preparing to froth, first turn on the steam wand to release condensed water vapor (turn off after releasing). Then extend the steam wand at a 45-degree angle, using the pitcher spout to stabilize the steam wand's position. This time the steam vortex will rotate counterclockwise, with the steam wand positioned to the right of the liquid surface center cross, in a semi-buried state.

3. Frothing Stage

Turn on the steam switch, and you'll hear a "zee-zee" sound. This is the frothing stage. Depending on the desired foam thickness, the frothing time will vary (longer frothing time = thicker foam). Generally, frothing milk from 50% to 60% volume (latte foam thickness) takes about 3 seconds. The milk rotates uniformly to form a vortex.

4. Smoothing Stage

At this point, you need to completely bury the steam holes, only heating without further frothing. Don't bury the steam holes at the very bottom; it's recommended to position them in the foam layer, which helps with smoothing (refining coarse foam). When to stop? This depends on your milk temperature, generally controlled between 55-65°C. Too high a temperature will cause protein denaturation (generally, thermal denaturation of proteins in food occurs around 60°C).

Integration and Latte Art

Next comes integration and latte art. Once the espresso is extracted and the milk is steamed, you can focus on integration to complete the latte. Integration is also a very important part of making latte. Good integration makes the latte smooth and comfortable to drink, without any harshness. Only after proper integration can we create what we commonly call latte art patterns. Finally, a cup of latte is complete.

FrontStreet Coffee's signature latte flavor: Smooth texture, lasting chocolate taste, mixed with pleasant alcoholic notes, persistent aftertaste, and noticeable sweetness.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473