Coffee Beans for the Perfect Cortado Coffee

Cortado coffee, a coffee drink originating from Spain, is becoming increasingly popular. It consists of a mix of Espresso and warm milk in a 1:1 ratio, with the milk not frothed. Traditionally, Cortado coffee is served in a small glass. There is both a classic preparation and a more modern variation with lightly frothed milk and Latte Art. Cortado coffee provides a strong coffee taste with a light texture and is a perfect option for those who prefer less milk in their coffee.

Cortado coffee, made from two espressos and milk, differs crucially from Cappuccinos, which contain only one espresso and hot frothed milk. In comparison to Cappuccino, Cortado coffee is less creamy and provides a more intense coffee taste. Another distinction is that Cappuccinos typically have more foam than Cortado coffee. While Cappuccinos often feature Latte Art, it’s not as common with Cortado coffee.

If you’re looking for a light and creamy coffee drink, Cappuccino is the right choice. If you prefer a coffee with an intense flavor, Cortado coffee is the way to go. And if you want a drink with lots of foam, Cappuccino is the best option.

The Espresso Macchiato is characterized by its intense flavor, achieved through the combination of a single espresso shot, a small amount of milk, and a “stain” of milk foam. This is the reason for the name “Macchiato.”

While both Macchiatos and Cortados are small coffee drinks made from espresso and milk, they differ in many ways. In a Cortado coffee, a double espresso is used, to which an equal amount of frothed milk is added. In a Macchiato, it is an espresso with a foamy layer of milk foam.

For a perfect Latte Macchiato, you’ll need an espresso shot and 250 ml of frothed milk to achieve a rich, velvety, and pleasantly creamy taste. Since the Latte Macchiato contains more milk than a Cappuccino, it invites slow sipping and has a pronounced milk flavor.

Many customers prefer a preparation with a hint of flavors like caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut. It’s also worth noting that the word “Latte” technically means “milk.” When ordering in Italy, be sure to specify that you want a Café Latte to avoid misunderstandings and end up with just a glass of frothed milk.

Cortado coffee is made by combining equal amounts of espresso and frothed milk and can either have no foam or only a small amount of foam.

The amount of frothed milk in a Latte Macchiato is significantly larger. It’s common to serve the Latte Macchiato in a transparent glass to make the three different layers—milk, espresso, and milk foam—visible. Lattes are often served with milk and can be flavored with syrups like caramel or chocolate, while Cortado coffee focuses on the espresso taste.