Cappuccino vs Latte

Cortado vs Latte

Understanding the difference between these two café classics.

Cortado — Equal parts espresso and lightly steamed milk.

Cortado

VS
Latte — Smooth, milky, and comforting with a gentle coffee flavor.

Latte

The Quick Answer

Choose the Cortado for strength, or the Latte for comfort.

The Cortado offers balanced, allowing the acidity of the espresso to shine through the milk., while the Latte is known for being mellow and sweet, with milk dominating the espresso.. Your choice depends entirely on your current mood.

Category Winners

Stronger Taste

Cortado

Sweeter

Latte

More Calories

Latte

More Caffeine

Cortado

Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature
Cortado
Latte
Espresso Shots
2 shots
1 shot
Steamed Milk
50% of cup
66% of cup
Milk Foam
5% (Thick)
10% (Microfoam)
Caffeine
136 mg
68 mg
Calories (Whole Milk)
~60 kcal
~190 kcal
Typical Size
4 oz
10 oz

The Anatomy of the Drinks

See exactly how the ratios of espresso, milk, and foam differ inside the cup.

Cortado

5% Foam
50% Milk
2 Shots
Microfoam
5%
Steamed Milk
50%
Espresso
2x

Latte

10% Foam
66% Milk
1 Shot
Microfoam
10%
Steamed Milk
66%
Espresso
1x

Cortado Summary

Pros

  • • Smooth, dense, and less airy than a flat white texture
  • • Perfect for coffee lovers wanting less milk
  • • Lower in calories
  • • 136mg of caffeine

Cons

  • • Might be too intense for some
  • • Best consumed hot

Latte Summary

Pros

  • • Smooth, creamy, and fluid texture
  • • Perfect for beginners
  • • Rich and filling
  • • 68mg of caffeine

Cons

  • • Coffee flavor is milder
  • • Best consumed hot

Detailed Analysis

Taste & Flavor Profile

The most significant difference you'll notice between these two is the taste. The Cortado offers a profile that is balanced, allowing the acidity of the espresso to shine through the milk.. Because of its specific milk ratio, the espresso flavor is mellowed out.

Conversely, the Latte is mellow and sweet, with milk dominating the espresso.. If you prefer a sweeter, more comforting drink, the Latte is likely the better choice for your palate.

Texture & Mouthfeel

Texture is where coffee craftsmanship truly shows. The Cortado is defined by its smooth, dense, and less airy than a flat white texture, creating a thin, velvety microfoam.

The Latte provides a contrast with its smooth, creamy, and fluid mouthfeel, thanks to its 10% foam ratio. It feels heavier and creamier on the tongue.

"Choosing between a Cortado and a Latte isn't about which is objectively better. It's about what your palate wants in that specific moment—comfort or intensity."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has more caffeine, Cortado or Latte?

The Cortado has more caffeine. The Cortado contains 136mg, while the Latte contains 68mg.

Is the Cortado sweeter?

No, the Latte is generally sweeter than the Cortado.

Related Comparisons

Cappuccino vs Cortado Cortado vs Flat White Cortado vs Espresso Americano vs Cortado

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