Does a Latte Have Espresso? (EXPLAINED)

Lattes are a standard at any cafe, but what are they made of? Does a latte have espresso? Let’s go over the basics of a latte!

Does a Latte Have Espresso?

In most cases, yes. A standard latte at a cafe will always have espresso. Generally, this will be between one and four shots. The standard is two shots. If it is advertised as a matcha latte or has anything else in the name, it may not have espresso. Be sure to ask your barista.

You can also make café quality lattes at home with superautomatic coffee machines that come with milk steamers.

How Much Espresso is in a Latte?

Lattes tend to have two shots of espresso, though this number can vary depending on the cafe. Sometimes it will be one shot; sometimes, it can be four if you are ordering a larger size.

What Has More Espresso - a Cappuccino or Latte?

Technically speaking, a cappuccino has a higher concentration of espresso than a latte does. However, they could both have two shots depending on the cafe; the general takeaway is that the cappuccino has a higher ratio of espresso to milk. So a cappuccino will have less milk but perhaps more foam than a latte.

What is Stronger: a Latte or Espresso?

Straight espresso will be stronger than a latte. Though it may have the same amount of caffeine, latte cuts that with milk.

Are Lattes Stronger Than Coffee?

Lattes use espresso, which will be a higher concentration of coffee than a normal cup of drip. So, in theory, a latte will be stronger than a cup of coffee. However, cutting that espresso with milk makes it smoother and enjoyable.

That’s a general nutshell of the latte and its contents.

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Tony Barlow, with over a decade of experience in the coffee industry, is the go-to technical sales expert at Majesty Coffee. He's passionate about helping businesses find the right espresso equipment for their needs.