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Latte VS Cappuccino: What's the Difference? Do Cappuccino and Latte Have the Same Espresso Volume, Cup Size, and Foam Thickness Standards?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Do you know what the difference is between these two? When you compare them by drinking, you might know which coffee you prefer, but you can't quite explain why. Somehow, the question of the difference between latte and cappuccino has become a hot topic for all types of coffee people, from those who dislike coffee to amateurs to professionals. Why is it so difficult to distinguish between these two?

Do you know the difference between these two? When you compare them by tasting, you might know which coffee you prefer, but you can't quite articulate why. Somehow, the question of the difference between latte and cappuccino has become a hot topic for all types of coffee people, from those who don't like coffee to amateurs to professionals. Why is it so difficult to distinguish between these two drinks? The reason is simple - they actually have exactly the same ingredients: espresso, milk, and foam.

What's the difference between latte and cappuccino?

Fundamentally, these drinks are determined by texture, which is determined by the proportion of ingredients: cappuccino has more foam quality than latte. The main component of latte is heated milk with a layer of foam on top, just enough to disappear after a couple of sips without affecting the overall texture of the entire delightful beverage.

Did you know? The word "latte" is actually translated from Italian to English: it means "milk." In many Italian cafes, if you order a latte, sometimes what's served is just a glass of milk, though what you wanted was a coffee beverage.

The origin of the word "cappuccino" is controversial, with many saying the drink was named after Capuchin monks because if you look down at a cup of cappuccino, it has a shape resembling a "monk's head" - a circle of brown espresso surrounding a thick ball of white foam. Ideally, or traditionally, a cappuccino should have the perfect proportion of ingredients: 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam.

Usually when ordering coffee at cafes, coffee shops use different capacity cups to distinguish between latte and cappuccino, avoiding giving customers the wrong drink! FrontStreet Coffee's latte cup has a capacity of about 300 grams, while cappuccino's capacity is about 130 grams. Pay attention to observe this next time you come to the store for coffee.