How Much Milk Do Different Espresso-Based Milk Coffees Need? What's the Ideal Coffee-to-Milk Ratio?

Italian milk coffee is a general term that includes all products made by adding milk to espresso. There are many types of milk coffee on the market, and different varieties have different preparation methods. Since there is no unified standard, the parameters for the same type of milk coffee will vary according to the maker's different understanding of it.

There are countless discussions about the preparation of milk coffee, among which the ratio of coffee to milk has always been a topic of interest. To make a delicious Italian milk coffee, the control of the coffee-to-milk ratio is crucial. So, the question arises: what ratios should be used for different milk coffees? How much milk should be added?

Finding the Characteristics

Because different milk coffees have different characteristics, they can exist as independent products. When choosing milk coffee in a coffee shop, except for when we first arrive and choose based on the name due to confusion, now it's more about wanting to taste the characteristics of this particular milk coffee. Therefore, when we want to make a good cup of milk coffee, the first thing we need to know is what this milk coffee is all about!

It should be noted that the milk and coffee ratios mentioned in this article are based on the materials used by FrontStreet Coffee. The beans and milk you use may be different, so the parameters are not absolute. After all, different beans and different milk will have different expressive qualities. Therefore, the most important thing is the pairing logic of this milk coffee. Only by understanding the characteristics can you create the characteristics.

Latte

It can be said that the reason why Latte is so popular is mainly due to "milk." When most people first try coffee, they hardly have the concept of tasting flavors, and their understanding of coffee is "bitter." Under the "irrigation" of a large amount of milk, the concentration and bitterness of the coffee are diluted, which reduces the difficulty of drinking coffee for many people who can't handle bitterness; at the same time, milk does not cover up the inherent flavor of the coffee when diluting its concentration. The two complement each other, and the sweetness of milk and the aroma of coffee blend together, which creates a latte suitable for all ages.

Therefore, the key point of making a latte is simple: find the balance point between coffee and milk, let their flavors maintain balance, not cover each other, and thus achieve complementary results. FrontStreet Coffee's latte preparation ratio is 1:5, with 40ml espresso and 200ml milk. At this ratio, milk and coffee are in a very balanced state. After perfect fusion, the overall taste is full and sweet.

Cappuccino

In the articles from a few days ago, FrontStreet Coffee mentioned that the thick milk foam of cappuccino is one of its major characteristics. It not only makes the texture of the coffee more delicate but also reduces the amount of milk, increases the proportion of coffee, and makes it more concentrated.

Therefore, the key point of making a cappuccino lies in: more milk foam, less milk. The taste of milk cannot be on par with coffee; the flavor of coffee needs to be more prominent. Therefore, the ratio used by FrontStreet Coffee is 1:4, with 40ml espresso and 160ml milk. At this ratio, the coffee flavor will be more prominent, but it won't be too concentrated due to the presence of milk. Then through frothing, a relatively thick milk foam is obtained, and the overall taste is delicate, with a very rich coffee flavor.

Dirty Coffee

Dirty coffee is interesting because its espresso and milk are in a layered state, so there's no need to worry about the amount of milk affecting the coffee flavor.

However, as mentioned at the beginning, some novice friends might order a cup out of curiosity without knowing what it is, and then stir and drink it. Therefore, we still need to pay attention to the milk, keeping it in a state that tastes good even after stirring. The ratio used by FrontStreet Coffee is 1:4, that is, 40ml espresso and 160ml milk. The Dirty made this way can be finished in just a few sips with the normal drinking method. Even if stirred and mixed, novice friends can enjoy a "latte" coffee with appropriate concentration.

Flat White

Finally, there's the Flat White, which has two different preparation methods. One uses traditional Italian espresso as the base, and the other uses Ristretto as the base.

Flat White emphasizes the flavor of the coffee itself but doesn't have the high coffee concentration like a cappuccino. Therefore, if using traditional espresso, FrontStreet Coffee uses a ratio of 1:4.5, that is, 40ml espresso and 180ml milk; if using Ristretto as the base, the ratio will be expanded. Because Ristretto has fewer bitter substances and is easily covered by the flavor of milk. FrontStreet Coffee uses a ratio of 1:4 to make Flat White with Ristretto, that is, 30ml coffee and 120ml milk. The Flat White made this way is very fragrant, silky, and mellow!

Final Thoughts

Again, these parameters are adjustments made based on FrontStreet Coffee's blend and milk, and may not be applicable to the blends and milk you have at home. Therefore, please pair according to the flavor of your own beans and the concentration of your milk, so that you can make a delicious Italian milk coffee~~~

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FrontStreet Coffee

10 Bao'an Qianjie, Yandun Road, Dongshankou, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473