Cappuccino vs latte: foam, milk and taste compared

Cappuccino vs latte is a question of milk and foam: a cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick foam, while a latte has much more steamed milk and only a thin foam layer. The cappuccino tastes stronger and feels airy. The latte tastes milder, creamier and arrives in a larger cup.

What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?

The difference between a cappuccino and a latte is the amount of milk and foam around the espresso. A cappuccino is about one third espresso, one third steamed milk and one third foam, while a latte is about one fifth espresso and four fifths milk with a thin foam layer.

Both drinks start with espresso and both use steamed milk. The cappuccino is smaller and lighter in the mouth. The latte is larger, smoother and easier to flavour with syrups.

Cappuccino vs latte at a glance

Sizes and shot counts vary between cafes, so the numbers describe typical Canadian and North American cafe practice, not a fixed rule.

What is a cappuccino?

A cappuccino is an Italian espresso drink topped with milk foam, traditionally served in a small porcelain cup. The name comes from the Capuchin friars, whose brown robes resemble the colour of the drink. That link is a common explanation, though like many food origins it is not fully documented.

In Italy a cappuccino is a morning drink, rarely ordered after a meal. In North America it can be larger and wetter than the Italian version, so the foam layer is sometimes thinner than tradition would suggest.

What is a latte?

A latte is an espresso drink made with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thin foam layer, served in a tall glass or wide cup. The word comes from the Italian caffe latte, meaning coffee with milk.

In Italy, asking for a “latte” gets a glass of milk, so travellers need to say caffe latte. In Canada and the United States, latte means the coffee drink, and menus offer many flavours: vanilla, caramel, mocha or tea-based versions such as matcha.

Which tastes stronger, a cappuccino or a latte?

A cappuccino tastes stronger than a latte, because the same espresso is mixed with much less milk. The foam is mostly air, so it does not dilute the coffee the way liquid milk does.

If a latte feels too weak, ask for an extra shot or choose a flat white, which sits between the two in strength. A small latte with a double shot also tastes closer to a cappuccino than a large latte with one.

How do you make each drink at home?

You make both drinks with espresso and steamed milk, but you steam the milk differently. For a cappuccino, add air for longer so the foam is thick. For a latte, add air briefly so the milk stays smooth.

1. Pull a single or double shot into a warm cup.
2. For a cappuccino, steam about 100 ml of milk with air for five to six seconds, until it grows by half.
3. For a latte, steam about 200 ml of milk with air for two or three seconds only.
4. Pour the latte milk in a steady stream. Spoon or pour the cappuccino foam on top last.

A hand frother works for either drink. A whisk in a jar gives a rough substitute when no tool is available.

Which milk should you choose?

Whole milk gives the creamiest result in both drinks, and oat milk is the closest plant option. Soy and almond milk also work, though almond foam is thinner.

• Cappuccino: oat or whole milk hold foam for longer.
• Latte: any milk works, since the foam is thin.
• Sweet drinks: oat milk adds a light natural sweetness, so less syrup is needed.

The cafe’s steaming skill matters more than the milk type. Lukewarm milk, or milk heated past 70 °C, loses sweetness and foam quality.

Are both drinks on the Wicked Cafe menu?

Yes. The recorded menu for Wicked Cafe in Vancouver lists both a Cappuccino, described as a small espresso drink with milk foam, and a Latte, described as espresso with steamed milk. The cafe says its latte can be made with regular, soy, almond or oat milk.

The cafe also lists a Flat White, a Mocha and an Americano Misto for readers who want something between the two. Prices are not given because public listings disagree. See the menu page and check the hours and location page before visiting. This guide is independent and takes no orders.

How do you order the one you want?

Say the drink name, the size and the milk. If you want a cappuccino with less foam, ask for it “wet”. If you want a latte with more coffee, ask for a double shot.

Cafes in Canada usually default to a double shot in medium and large drinks, but it is fair to ask. The same drink name can differ from cafe to cafe, so the first sip tells you more than the label.

What other drinks sit between a cappuccino and a latte?

A flat white, a cortado and a macchiato all sit on the same scale of milk and foam. The scale runs from espresso at one end to a large latte at the other.

A drinker who finds a latte too mild and a cappuccino too airy often settles on a flat white. Moving one step along the scale is an easy way to change the taste without learning a new drink.

Which drink suits which moment?

A cappuccino suits a short morning stop, and a latte suits a long sit with a book or laptop. The size and temperature explain why.

A cappuccino cools quickly because it is small, so it is usually finished within ten minutes. A latte stays warm for longer and is easier to sip slowly. Iced versions of the latte are common in warm weather, while an iced cappuccino is unusual because the foam collapses over ice.

Common questions

Before you go, check the Wicked Cafe guide for the current hours and the menu.

This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Wicked Cafe itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.