Café cortado per favor! A much better option, that doesn’t taste like a cup of hot milk! It would be similar to a piccolo in Australia or a macchiato in Italy. It’s basically a shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk and no where near as milky as a café con leche. Also great if you have any dietary issues and can’t have too much milk.
Interestingly, the term "cortado" is derived from the Spanish word "cortar," which means "to cut" or "to dilute." The name reflects the way the coffee is prepared, as it involves "cutting" or "diluting" a shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk.
To make a café cortado, a barista typically starts by pulling a shot of espresso, which is a concentrated form of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. The espresso shot is then poured into a small glass or cup, usually about 4 to 6 ounces in size.
Next, a small amount of steamed milk is added to the espresso. The steamed milk helps to mellow the intensity of the espresso and creates a smooth, velvety texture. The exact amount of milk can vary depending on personal preference, but it is generally less than the amount used in a traditional latte or cappuccino.
The ratio of espresso to steamed milk in a café cortado is usually around 1:1, although it can vary. The milk is not frothed excessively like in a cappuccino or latte, but rather steamed to create a thin layer of foam on top of the milk. This gives the café cortado a distinct appearance with a layer of creamy foam floating on the surface.
The result is a balanced coffee beverage that combines the rich flavours of espresso with the creamy texture of steamed milk. The café cortado strikes a middle ground between a straight espresso shot and a milk-based coffee drink like a latte, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy the boldness of espresso but also appreciate the smoothness of milk.
Café cortado is typically served in small glasses or cups without any additional flavourings or sweeteners.
So if you are like me and you love your coffee but are after something a little less strong and bitter than just a pure espresso then try a cafe cortado next time! ☕️
Buen Camino xx
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