Give a talented barista the right tools, and they’ll whip up coffee magic. They have come up with the most fantastic coffee combos. Honestly, it’s getting hard to know what’s what. You’ve got café latte, cappuccino, macchiato, frappe, Frappuccino, and so on. We’re breaking down two common ones — a frappuccino and latte — so you know what you’re getting during your morning rush.
The main differences between a frappuccino and a latte are the ingredients and the resulting flavors. Frappuccino’s main ingredient is cold or room temperature coffee, while lattes are served hot using espresso. A latte is arguably more filling than a frappuccino since it uses steamed milk and cream.
Frappuccino vs Latte
The average coffee drinker that likes regular black, no-sugar, no-cream coffee might not know the intricacies of Frappuccinos and lattes. However, knowing the differences can be the key to you enjoying more than just an average cup of Joe.
Here are some main aspects that differentiate a frappucino and a latte.
Ownership
While frappuccino is a trademarked product of Starbucks, a latte is a standard beverage with Italian origins.
Latte isn’t a trademarked name and can be made and sold by any beverage brand or outlet under the same name.
The frappuccino’s original maker, Coffee Connection, made the iced drink in 1992. It resembled a slushie. However, Starbucks was testing out a similar product made with ice cream and other flavors in a blender. In 1994, Starbucks bought out Coffee Connection and the frappuccino name.
Serving
Latte can be served hot or cold. Frappuccino is served ice cold. A cold cafe latte is usually called an iced cafe latte, pouring the drink over ice without being topped off with foam.
Ingredients
Frappuccino is made from coffee as a base, ice, and flavored syrups. It is topped off with whipped cream and optional spices. Alternatively, it can have a creme base. Did you know frappuccinos can have 36,000 different flavor combinations?
On the other hand, the latte’s main ingredient is espresso. It is a core ingredient that differentiates it from a frappuccino. It is combined with steamed milk and optional creamer. Ingredients differentiate these two types from just regular cowboy coffee.
Taste
Due to the lack of espresso, a frappuccino is lighter than a latte.
A frappuccino is a blend of many flavors since its combinations are customer-dictated. Since it’s made to cater to a younger demographic, it leans on the sweeter side.
Lattes, however, are heavier in milk content and flavor. The amount of espresso, coffee bean roast level, and type of coffee beans determines the taste of the final latte. The average latte uses 300ml of steamed milk and 60ml or two espresso shots.
What makes a latte?
Latte or café latte is typically a hot beverage made by mixing coffee with steamed milk and topping it off with a light layer of foam.
Most coffee shops use an espresso machine to make lattes. However, you can make the beverage at home without an espresso machine.
To make a latte, follow the procedure detailed below.
- Prepare the ingredients, which include two shots of freshly-brewed espresso and eight ounces of whole milk.
- Froth milk by pouring your whole milk into a frothing pitcher. Turn the frothing pitcher off when it reaches 140 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The result should be creamy and silky milk with small, even bubbles.
- Finish off by slowly pouring the frothed milk over the espresso base. You should have a creamy drink with a one-inch layer of foam at the top.
What is a frappuccino?
A Frappuccino is a coffee-flavored beverage by Starbucks that contains milk, ice, and syrup. The drink is made by mixing the customer’s choice of syrup with coffee or cream base and then blending the mixture with milk and ice.
Frappuccino is usually served cold but may include a hot espresso shot.
One can order extra fixings to be included in their frappuccinos, such as whipped cream, sprinkles, sauces, and chocolate chips. Meanwhile, the syrup enhancements include chocolate and caramel syrup.
