Latte
What is a latte? What is the history of the latte? We will tackle those questions in this article by Madres Espresso, serving the Greater Olympia Metro area with two coffee stands, one on the West side of Olympia on Cooper Point Road, the other on the East side on Pacific Avenue. Two coffee stands devoted to a single purpose: to provide the best coffee, and service, in Thurston County. Come see is today, tell us what you like to drink, and turn us loose to do our thing.
What is a latte?
The term “café latte” literally translates to “coffee milk,” the origins of the term coming from Italy.
Although there is no standard recipe for making a latte, it generally involves adding steamed milk to a single shot of espresso. In some cases, it’s also topped with a light layer of foam, and sugars or a sweetening agent may be mixed in as well. Compared with the other beverages, lattes have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor, as they contain a greater proportion of steamed milk.
What is the history of the latte?
The origins of the latte can be traced back to the Italian beverage caffè latte, which translates to “coffee milk” in English. This drink consisted of equal parts espresso and steamed milk, topped with a layer of foamed milk. Its beginnings can be traced as far back as the 17th century café culture in Italy, where it was a popular drink among the upper class, although it was undoubtedly a popular drink in households before the introduction in Italian cafes. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s when the popularity of the latte truly began to skyrocket, when the drink was introduced to the US market by Seattle-based coffee shops. It had had limited success in some San Francisco coffee shops, but that success remained a local phenomenon until the latte skyrocketed in popularity in the 80’s.
Nowadays, the latte has become a staple in coffee shops around the world, with countless variations and adaptations, such as the pumpkin spice latte, lavender latte, and caramel latte. Despite its humble origins, the latte has become a cultural phenomenon, representing a beloved and indulgent treat that provides comfort and coziness on a chilly day or a quick caffeine fix on a busy morning.
Variations.
The basics for preparing a latte have not changed much over the decades, since its inception in households in Italy, a humble breakfast drink. What has changed are the variations of the ingredients. When one says steamed milk, are they referring to Almond Milk, Hemp Milk, Soy Milk, or Dairy Milk? And will there be a flavor added, like Peppermint or Vanilla?
The modern coffee shop has dozens of flavors which can be added to any drink a barista prepares, thus individualizing the classic drink to meet the tastes of each customer.
A final word about Madres Espresso.
Madres Espresso is locally owned and operated, and we believe that to be an important fact. We serve our neighbors, our friends, people we see in grocery stores and people we meet at the park on a sunny day. We are Olympia, just as any other locally owned company is Olympia, and we believe that makes a huge difference regarding the level of service and the quality of product. Stop by, let us get to know you, and find out what outstanding service looks like.
