Latte: espresso plus hot milk (1:3–1:5) with a foam head. Café au lait: filter coffee with hot milk in equal parts, without foam, often in a bowl. The difference lies in the coffee base (espresso vs. filter) and the proportion of milk.

What distinguishes a latte from a café au lait?

Latte: espresso plus hot milk (1:3–1:5) with a foam head. Café au lait: filter coffee with hot milk in equal parts, without foam, often in a bowl. The difference lies in the coffee base (espresso vs. filter) and the proportion of milk.

Why that is

Both names literally mean the same thing — “milk coffee”: caffè latte in Italian, café au lait in French. But the drinks are different because the coffee cultures behind them are different.

Caffè Latte (Italian):

• Base: A single espresso (25–30 ml).
• Milk: Hot, lightly frothed milk (150–250 ml).
• Ratio: 1:3 to 1:5 (espresso to milk).
• Thin foam head, sometimes with latte art.
• Served in a large cup or a glass.
• Taste: Mild, milky, with the espresso base in the background.

Café au Lait (French):

• Base: Strong filter coffee or French press coffee.
• Milk: Hot milk, not frothed.
• Ratio: 1:1 (coffee to milk).
• No foam — smooth surface.
• Traditionally served in a wide bowl (bol) into which you dip croissants.
• Taste: More full-bodied, more coffee-forward than a latte, because filter coffee is less concentrated than espresso and is therefore diluted with less milk.

In German café practice:

• A “latte” or “caffè latte” is almost always espresso-based with lots of frothed milk.
• A “Milchkaffee” is often the German version of the café au lait: filter coffee with hot milk.
• The terms are often mixed up in everyday life. Anyone who orders “a latte” in a café usually gets an espresso-milk drink.

Which one is better? The latte is creamier and milder thanks to the espresso and the foam. The café au lait is more coffee-forward and down-to-earth — ideal for breakfast with pastries.

In practice at Green Wall Coffee

At Sophienstraße 27, we serve espresso-based caffè lattes — with fine microfoam and latte art. Anyone who wants a classic milk coffee with filter coffee can get it on request. Both have their place.

Related questions

• What is the difference between cappuccino, latte macchiato, and flat white?
• What is a cortado?
• What distinguishes espresso from regular coffee?

Stop by Sophienstraße 27 — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.