Espresso. Steamed milk. Condensed milk. The Spanish Latte is a colorful delight for all lovers of sweetness and coffee.
We’ve got you covered if you’ve ever wondered what it is. Lots of people are familiar with the Latte. But the Spanish Latte? Sounds quite exquisite, isn’t it?
We’ll explore in detail about its origin later; although no one can say precisely where it originated, we all know it must have something to do with Spain.
Well, some say it doesn’t. And although it is called Spanish Latte, the Spaniards may not know everything about it. The closest thing to it in Spain is café con Leche, which is the Spanish word for Latte.
Spanish Latte allows latte lovers to combine the butter coffee taste with the different varieties and sweetness of milk and, sometimes, some droppings of cinnamon.
Its bright color makes it a lively way to start your day. And with the sweet satisfaction of condensed milk, you would want more of this particular cup.
So enough of the introduction, let’s dive into it. We’ll begin with a definition of the drink, its history and how it got its name, how to make a perfect cup, what kind of milk to use, and what kind of beans to use.
So if you are as curious as we are, let’s go.
What is Spanish Latte
Spanish Latte, simply put, is a sweetened variation of standard Latte. The Spanatte, like any other lattes, is made up of espresso and steamed milk.
However, it has the addition of sweetened condensed milk. Additionally, Spanish Latte may also contain cinnamon or cocoa powder. Sometimes, it also contains cocoa powder adding extra flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk, which makes the Spanish Latte unique, is made by heating sweetened milk so that water evaporates and leaves thick creamy sweet “condensed” milk. This milk is very sticky since it contains more heated sugar.
Those that make the standard Spanish Latte often allow the freshly prepared condensed milk to sit in the refrigerator for about two months. But don’t let that deter you. You can still make a great cup of Spanish Latte with alternatives to condensed milk.
However, Spanish Latte is not the only coffee drink that has the addition of condensed milk. Vietnamese Coffee, Cafe Bonbon, and Cafe Canario are different coffee drinks that also use condensed milk to certain extents.
But what makes Spanish Latte different is that it also uses textured steamed milk. Also, it is made not from drip coffee but preferably from espresso.
You already know what distinguishes Spanish Latte from a regular latte. Latte is a shot of espresso and two parts of milk, but the Spanish Latte needs two shots of espresso. You’ll also need brother milk and condensed milk for it.
The Latte is already a sweet drink, but it is not very creamy. That is where the Spanish Latte comes in. It has a very creamy texture and is also sweeter. The two espresso shots give a bitterness that is well complemented by the sweetened condensed milk.
We should add that Café con Leche, which is the Spanish word for Latte, is espresso coffee and steamed or scalded milk. This may be transliterated to Spanish Latte, but it is not, technically.
The Latte in Spain, that is Café con Leche, is known to contain less milk than the traditional Latte, but the Spanish Latte is not extremely popular in Spain.
Spanish Latte seems to be very popular outside Spain, and that’s why we want to consider the drink’s history and how it got its name. So, let’s go on a journey.
History of Spanish Latte
Very little is known about the origin of Spanish Latte, although we know that it seems to be more of a variation of Vietnamese coffee because they both use condensed milk.
However, it is believed that Spanish Latte was created by those who wanted a sweeter version of Vietnamese coffee because it features more condensed milk.
Although there is no reason to counter the claim that it originated from Spain, Spaniards would enjoy their coffee with steamed or scalded milk instead. However, it is also popular there and in many Spanish-speaking countries worldwide.
However, it has become a popular drink in many other parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, the United States of America, especially Florida, and even Latin America.
Some researchers claim Angel Camacho created the drink in the early 1900s, but beyond that, no one knows precisely when exactly the drink was created.
Enough of that; let’s look at how to make the perfect cup of Spanish Latte.
How to Make Perfect Spanish Latte
To make the perfect Spanish Latte, you’ll need the essential ingredients: espresso coffee (or any other strong coffee), milk, condensed milk, and water.
You can use milk and sugar if you don’t have condensed milk. But it is highly recommended that you use condensed milk.
Let’s look at a step-by-step procedure for making this creamy cup of goodness.
- The first step is to scald your milk, that is, slowly heat your milk. Don’t let it burn, so try to stir it continuously, and don’t get it to boil as well. You can use whole milk or 2% milk for the best results.
- While your milk is slowly heating, use the espresso machine or your coffee brewer to make two espresso shots. You can also make ½ cup of coffee and pour the coffee into a mug.
- Your milk should be hot enough now. Whisk it or froth it with a milk frother.
- Add the condensed milk to the coffee and mix it, then carefully pour your frothy milk into the mixture.
- Add any toppings or flavors like cinnamon, cinnamon sugar, or cocoa powder if you like.
- Sip from the cup of creamy goodness.
And there you have it, a perfect cup of Spanish Latte.
You won’t need any equipment to get this done; even if you need any, there are accessible alternatives.
You can also make an iced variant of this drink. Everything remains the same except that you fill your glass with ice just before adding your espresso shots.
Mix the condensed milk with the coffee, add the frothed milk and other flavors and enjoy your iced Spanish Latte.
Best Coffee Beans for Spanish Latte
Spanish Latte is made with espresso because you want a strong coffee flavor.
It is not compulsory to use espresso, especially if you don’t have an espresso machine, but it is essential to use high-quality coffee that will produce a lot of flavors.
For this purpose, it is recommended that you use freshly ground dark roast coffee. The coffee is best if it is grounded into an excellent consistency, as is ideal for an espresso machine.
What Kind of Milk to Use
For Spanish Latte, you’ll need whole or 2% milk and condensed milk. While the Spaniards recommend whole milk, you can use 2%-fat milk to achieve the same result.
Remember, you have to heat it without bringing it to a boil.
Whole milk contains more calories than 2% milk, so that is the significant difference between the two.
However, if you’re very concerned about the calories in your milk, you can go for zero-fat, almond, soy, or coconut milk. Remember that you’ll gain whatever calories you lose by ditching whole milk via condensed milk.
Condensed milk is optional but is recommended. If you don’t have condensed milk, you can use sugar, as condensed milk is sweetened milk that is heated to release most of the water.
Once you mix your espresso with the condensed milk, you can add your frothed milk to create the perfect Spanish Latte.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make this sweet, creamy cup of coffee enjoyed by Spaniards and many Spanish-speaking people worldwide.
Perhaps, you’ve always seen Spanish Latte in cafes and have never given it a thought; you can now give it a try.
More importantly, you can make a cup of this drink all by yourself at home. It is pretty easy to make and has fairly decent caffeine content. So, try a cup today if you’ve never done so before. You’ll fall in love immediately.
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Last Updated on June 18, 2022 by Ashok Parmar
