In cappuccino vs latte, both drinks are espresso and steamed milk. A cappuccino has more foam and less milk, and a latte has more milk and only a thin layer of foam.
They're two of the most searched-for types of coffee in India, and the difference comes down to the milk.
Cappuccino vs latte at a glance
The difference between cappuccino and latte is in the milk. A cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick foam, so it tastes stronger and lighter. A latte is espresso with about three times as much steamed milk and a thin foam, so it's creamier and milder. Both use the same espresso, so the caffeine is the same.
| Cappuccino | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1–2 shots (30–60 ml) | the same |
| Steamed milk | about the same as the espresso, about 60 ml with a double shot | about 180 ml |
| Foam | thick, about a third of the drink | a thin layer |
| Cup | smaller | larger |
| Taste | stronger, lighter | milder, creamier |
| Caffeine | the same | the same |
What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino is equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick milk foam, sometimes called dry foam. Espresso is the base of both drinks, so a cappuccino vs latte vs espresso comparison is really about how much milk goes in. In a cappuccino, the foam makes up about a third of the cup.
What is a latte?
A latte is espresso with about 180 ml of steamed milk and only a thin layer of silky foam, sometimes called wet foam. That thinner foam is why the latte is the drink used for latte art. If a menu lists cafe latte vs cappuccino, the cafe latte is simply the latte.
Which is stronger, cappuccino or latte?
A cappuccino tastes stronger, because there's less milk to soften the espresso. In latte vs cappuccino, though, the caffeine is the same: both use the same shot, with about 60–65 mg of caffeine in each single shot.
A latte tastes a little sweeter, from all the extra milk.
Which has more milk and calories?
The latte has about three times as much milk, so it has more calories. Cow's milk has about 67 kcal per 100 ml, according to ICMR-NIN figures. That makes a cappuccino's milk (about 60 ml) roughly 40 kcal and a latte's (about 180 ml) roughly 120 kcal. Sugar adds more on top, and the espresso adds almost nothing.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a cappuccino if you want to taste the coffee and like a thick cap of foam.
- Choose a latte for a creamier, milder drink, or if espresso drinks are new to you.
Neither is better. It's a matter of how much milk you like.
Making either at home
The coffee is the same for both: espresso, strong moka pot coffee, or 2 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water. Froth hot milk in a French press, a shaken jar or with a handheld frother. Then:
- For a cappuccino, froth the milk longer and spoon lots of foam on top.
- For a latte, pour in more milk and keep the foam thin.
Cappuccino vs latte FAQs
Is a cappuccino the same as a latte?
No. They have the same ingredients in different amounts. A cappuccino is about a third foam, and a latte is mostly milk with a thin foam.
What's the difference between an iced cappuccino and an iced latte?
Iced, both are espresso and cold milk over ice. An iced cappuccino is topped with a layer of foamed milk, while an iced latte has more milk and little or no foam.
Where does a flat white fit in?
Between the two. A flat white has less milk than a latte, about twice as much as the espresso, and a thin, silky microfoam. So it tastes stronger than a latte without a cappuccino's thick foam.
Try both
Order one of each and taste them side by side. Or make both at home with the same coffee and froth the milk differently.