Café con leche

Café con leche ('coffee with milk') is a coffee beverage common throughout Spain and Latin America consisting of strong coffee (usually espresso) mixed with scalded milk in approximately equal amounts. The amount of milk can be higher in a café con leche en vaso or a café con leche de desayuno.[1] Cuban and Puerto Rican establishments often prepare the drink with sugar. [2] Sugar or sweetener is added to taste. It is similar to the Italian caffè latte and the French café au lait.

This article is about the beverage. For the New York City nightclub event, see Cafe con leche (Sunday Party). For the 2018 film, see Cafe Con Leche (film).
Café con leche
Café con leche from Lugo, Spain
Alternative namesCafebar
CourseBeverage
Place of originSpain
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsCoffee, milk
VariationsCafé au lait, caffè e latte

Origin

Café con leche came from Spain, but its exact origin is unclear. [3] After becoming popular in Spain, this coffee beverage has spread to other Spanish-speaking countries and areas. Café con leche is very common in Spain and Latin America, as well as diasporic Latin American communities around the world.

Cuban restaurants in South Florida often have a walk-up window (ventanita) that serve café con leche.[4]

Current use

Café con leche is considered a breakfast drink in many countries that serve it. Because of the milk, it is heavier and more filling than coffee drinks.[5]

The drink is created by making espresso and then using a steam wand scalding milk to just below the boiling point. Often sugar is added to the milk as it is being heated. The warmed milk is then poured over the espresso and stirred.[3]

Serving styles
  • Café con leche can be clarito (light, more milk) or oscurito (dark, less milk).[6]
  • Sometimes a little salt is added.[6]
  • Café con leche is typically served hot, but can also be made iced.
  • Whole dairy milk is the usual, but other types of dairy and non-dairy milks can be used, with a change in taste and texture.[3]
  • The amount of sugar used varies.[5]
  • A cafe con leche ordered yo lo preparo consists of espresso and steamed milk served separately, and mixed by the consumer.[7]
Image of a cup of coffee with milk

Prepared café con leche

Café con leche coffee pods,[8] instant coffee,[9][10] and canned coffee[11] are available.

See also

References
  1. Coffee Supremacy: Spanish Latte
  2. "Drink Coffee Like You're in Spain with a Homemade Cafe Con Leche".
  3. Kanniah, Janice Chinna (2020-09-14). "What Is A Café Con Leche?". Perfect Daily Grind. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  4. "Best Café Con Leche: Tinta y Café | Best of Miami® 2017: Your Key to the City". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  5. "How to Make a Cafe Con Leche (Recipe)". Espresso & Coffee Guide. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  6. Frías, Carlos (Mar 21, 2018). "Cuban Coffee 101: Everything to know about ordering coffee in Miami". Miami Herald. Retrieved 17 Nov 2020.
  7. Sentinel, Viviana Carballo, Special to the (19 May 2004). "CAFE CON LECHE". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2020-11-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. "Café con Leche Flavored K-⁠Cup® Pods". Café Bustelo®. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  9. "Café con Leche Artificially Flavored Instant Coffee Beverage Mix". Café Bustelo®. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  10. "Instant Coffee, Recipes and More | NESCAFÉ®". www.nescafe.com. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  11. "Café con Leche Ready to Drink Espresso Coffee". Café Bustelo®. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
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