What is Cafe au Lait?
Cafe au Lait is a classic cafe beverage that dates back to the mid-19th century. It’s made with equal parts coffee and steamed milk, making it a great option for those who prefer a milder coffee experience. In French, cafe au lait literally translates to “coffee with milk”, and its sweet flavor is sure to bring a warm cafe experience into your home. It makes the perfect French twist and combines seamlessly with a cozy brunch or croissant. Alternatively, you can always go the muffin way. Everything goes well with muffins.
Did you know?
In Spain, the identical coffee drink is known as cafe con leche while the Germans named it milchkaffee.
Cafe au Lait vs Latte
Cafe au Lait and Latte are two different types of cafe drinks, though they both use steamed milk. The main difference between cafe au lait and a latte is that cafe au lait contains more coffee than a latte does. Also, cafe au lait has a milder flavor than the much creamier latte. To read more about the differences between cafe au lait and other types of coffee, read our detailed article.
Note
As baristas with extensive experience, we cannot recommend cafe au lait enough. It remains one of the most underrated coffee drinks. The exquisite and satisfying thought of breaking the day with freshly brewed coffee combined with steamed milk sounds heavenly. France is reputed for lots of things and consuming cafe au lait lets you enjoy French heritage.
Best Coffee for Cafe au lait
When it comes to cafe au lait, you can use any type of coffee. However, we recommend lightly roasted beans with a mild taste like Arabica or Robusta. The right coffee blend will make cafe au lait to perfection and bring out its rich flavor. We recommend our cafe series coffees that offer unique flavors and aromas. In short, always go for stronger coffee. Generally, French coffee tends to be stronger than American coffee, and for an authentic taste, follow the established tradition of brewing cafe au lait with strong coffee. Our recommendation is the use of dark roast beans.
How to Make cafe au lait
Making cafe au lait is a simple and straightforward process. All you need is equal parts coffee and steamed milk, so no matter what type of espresso machine or brewer you have at home, cafe au lait will be an easy cafe fix. Here’s how to make cafe au lait:
Cafe Au Lait Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Espresso machine or Coffee Brewer
- 1 Milk frother
- 1 Coffee Grinder
Ingredients
- 2 Shots espresso (30 ml each)
- 1 Cup steamed milk (250 ml)
Instructions
- Grind freshly roasted beans to a fine powder.2. Prepare two shots of espresso.3. Fill a cup with steamed milk, using the frother to make it creamy and milky.4. Add the two shots of espresso to the cup.5. Gently stir cafe au lait and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutritional Value of cafe au lait
Cafe au lait is a great cafe fix that’s both delicious and nutritious. It contains impressive amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and various compounds that promote health. For example, cafe au lait contains vitamin B12, which helps with energy levels and cognitive functioning. Additionally, cafe au lait also contains calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, making cafe au lait a great choice for those looking to get an extra nutrition boost in the morning. On average, it contains 85 kCal, 4 gms of fat, and 10 gms of carbs.
Pro tips
While making cafe au lait, begin by brewing a pot of strong coffee. You may choose to use espresso for an even richer flavor. If desired, add a teaspoon of sugar or syrup to the coffee before pouring.
Next, steam milk using a steamer or milk frother and pour it into the mug with freshly brewed coffee. Stir cafe au lait gently until all of the ingredients are well combined
Enjoy cafe au lait immediately as it is best served warm.
How to Make Cafe au Lait at home
Though the recipe remains almost similar to the one shared above, making cafe au lait at home requires some adjustments.
To make cafe au lait at home, you’ll need freshly brewed coffee, hot or cold milk of your choice, sugar or syrup (optional), and the equipment you prefer for brewing coffee. Begin by brewing the freshly ground coffee in a French press or coffeemaker and pour it into a mug. Then froth the milk in a frother, or heat it on the stove over low heat until hot and foamy. Gradually add the steamed or frothed milk to the mug of coffee, stirring all the while to combine, until you get your desired cafe au lait consistency. For a different flavor, add sugar or syrup to taste, if desired, and stir until all ingredients are blended together. When at the right temperature, serve it warm.
How to Make steamed milk without an espresso machine
You don’t need an espresso machine to make cafe au lait. You can always use a stovetop or microwave to steam milk for cafe au lait. Use a saucepan and heat the milk gradually over low heat until it is steaming hot and foamy. Alternatively, pour the cold milk into a glass measuring cup and heat it in the microwave on high power for a few minutes, or until hot. Use a spoon to hold back the foam while pouring into your cafe au lait mug.
Conclusion
Cafe au lait is a traditional French drink that is easy to make at home with freshly brewed coffee and steamed milk. All you need is some espresso, steamed milk, and a little bit of patience. The result will be a smooth cafe beverage with an incredible flavor and aroma that comes close to perfection. So why not give cafe au lait a try?
With its perfect balance of coffee and milk, cafe au lait is sure to become an essential part of your morning routine. Enjoy cafe au lait anytime you want a tasty treat!
FAQs
Is cafe au lait stronger than a latte?
No, cafe au lait and latte are both espresso-based beverages but cafe au lait has a stronger flavor due to the higher ratio of coffee to milk.
Is cafe au lait the same as cafe con leche?
Yes, cafe au lait and cafe con leche are two names for the same beverage. Cafe con leche is the Spanish translation of cafe au lait and generally uses more milk than cafe au lait does.
What type of coffee is cafe au lait?
Cafe au lait is traditionally made with a dark roast espresso. However, you can also use different types of coffee depending on your preference. For example, Arabica beans and medium roasts tend to produce sweeter cafe au lait drinks.
Cafe au Lait Recipe
Summary
Best and Easy recipe to make cafe au lait.