If you are a caffeine addict or a latte aficionado, you have probably heard of Spanish Latte. Basically a Spanish latte is an espresso-based drink with scalded milk. Spanish people love this simple-to-make coffee drink, which is a favourite among them for breakfast. Over the years, this latte has drawn a lot of attention due to its distinct smell and strong flavour. You won’t have any trouble finding a good cup of coffee if you ever find yourself in Spain. But let’s be honest, it won’t be practical for you to board a plane and go on a coffee tasting tour. So, this is the reason we came up with this article. To find out more about it, its ingredients, and the step-by-step recipe, keep reading this article.
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What Is Spanish Latte?
Spanish lattes, also referred to as café con leche, are a type of espresso-based drink. The Spanish latte has a distinct flavour that distinguishes it from other lattes. It was first known as the café con Leche, which translates to “coffee with milk,” and it had its origins in Spain. Café con Leche is slightly sweeter than a normal latte, but it’s not quite as sweet as a latte with flavouring syrup. They are actually quite simple to make, consisting of espresso, scalded milk, and condensed milk.
What Are The Benefits Of Spanish Latte?
This latte is beneficial for memory and brain function due to the usage of coffee and espresso. One of the “happy foods,” or substances that instantly improve your mood, is caffeine.
You can pick your preferred type of milk for this latte. If you have an allergy, you can use healthier milk substitutes. Additionally, the use of condensed milk makes it a good source of potassium, Vitamins A, D, and B12. Condensed milk contains a lot of saturated fat. You should therefore be cautious when consuming it to prevent any heart diseases.
Although this latte isn’t really made with nutrition in mind, you can easily make a healthier version for yourself. For instance, brown sugar can be used instead of white sugar. Iron, potassium, and calcium are present in greater amounts in brown sugar. These minerals are present, but negligible. On the other hand, this might improve the nutritional value of your latte.
Using soy milk or almond milk when making this latte may make it healthier because there is no restriction on a specific type of milk. Overall, it depends on your preferences and taste, but the traditional Spanish latte contains a fair amount of fat and sugar. In fact, this latte is extremely versatile. You can make your own version that serves your health goals.
What Are The Ingredients Used In Spanish Latte?
Making a Spanish latte is straightforward and simple. It doesn’t need a long list of ingredients. The seasoning you choose for it greatly affects how it tastes. Choose freshly roasted Arabica coffee beans to get the most flavour and fresh aroma. Your latte’s essence will be enhanced by the coffee beans.
You will need the following ingredients to make Spanish latte:
- Half cup of Whole Espresso Beans: You should only be purchased if you already have the necessary tools at home. Before purchasing, make sure to check the “roasted on” date.
- 3 Teaspoons of Crushed Arabica Coffee: This is optional unless you have a coffee grinder or a Moka Pot.
- 6 ounce organic grass-fed animal milk: Prefer organic grass-fed milk. Other milk alternatives, on the other hand, will suffice. Vegan options, such as soy milk or oat milk, are available if desired.
- Half litre of Water: Avoid using any salty or coarse water provided by your municipality. Instead, make use of filtered water. This is due to the fact that water directly influences how the latte tastes. So, use water that doesn’t taste particularly strong.
- 1-2 Teaspoons of a Sweetener: If you prefer a healthier option, you can sweeten the milk with brown/white sugar or stevia.
- 2 Teaspoons of Sweetened and Condensed milk: This will vary depending on your sweet tooth. 1-2 teaspoons of condensed milk is usually sufficient.
- Just a pinch of your favourite seasoning: Crushed cardamom would be a nice addition to the olfactory delight. Seasoning is optional, though.
What Are The Best Beans For Making Spanish Latte?
The best and most popular type of coffee beans to use in this latte are arabica coffee beans. To keep the latte’s originality, they should ideally be freshly roasted. If you can’t find these or don’t like the flavour, there are other beans you can use.
A Blend of Arabica and Robusta Coffee Beans: A blend of these two types of coffee beans is a great option if you want to up the caffeine concentration in your latte. Arabica coffee beans typically cost $4.28 per kg, while Robusta costs $1.59 per kg.
Only using Robusta Coffee Beans for Spanish Latte: Robusta is commonly used for Vietnamese coffee.It is not frequently used when making a Spanish latte. On the other hand, if you prefer the rubbery texture of Robusta beans, feel free to use them in your Spanish latte. Please keep in mind that your latte will not be authentic if you do so.
Pick your beans carefully enough to retain the Spanish latte’s original flavour. You are free to experiment and make your own unique variation of this latte because it has many well-liked variations all over the world.
What Tools Do You Need To Make A Spanish Latte?
This recipe does not require any special tools. However, if you enjoy coffee, you should have a Moka Pot or an Espresso Machine in your home. To make this latte, you’ll need the same tools as you would for any other coffee recipe. The tools needed for Spanish Latte are listed below.
- A Pot or steaming wand
- A thermometer: It’s optional, but it will help you check the temperature.
- An Espresso Machine: We recommend a machine that produces strong coffee. Like the AeroPress or the Moka Pot. In the market, there are numerous varieties of coffee makers. An espresso machine would be ideal.
- Small Mug: You require it to pour your latte in.
Spanish Latte Recipe-
We can start making the latte now that you are aware of all the tools and ingredients needed. Furthermore, it’s crucial to understand the proper way to serve this latte. One noteworthy distinction is that, in contrast to other lattes, you can serve this one hot or cold. Spanish people serve it in cups that range in volume from 125 ml to 200 ml when doing it the traditional way. Depending on which region of Spain is served, this size varies. Outside of Spain, the size grows because more milk is added to it there. Please be aware that this is the version where condensed milk is used. This sets it apart slightly from the traditional Spanish latte.
Step 1: Take a drinking cup or mug and fill it with condensed milk.
Step 2: Warm up the milk in a small pot. Heat it to 60°C to 65°C. To measure the temperature and prevent overheating the milk, use a thermometer. The most crucial point to take away from this is that you shouldn’t let your hot milk boil. It must be heated with your steaming wand. Alternately, that too. You should avoid foam, which is another important point. Avoid keeping the steaming tip too close to the surface. Otherwise, it would produce foam similar to that of a cappuccino, that you do not actually want.
Step 3: As your milk heats, pull around one to three espresso shots. You must pull these into your drinking cup or mug. If you don’t have an espresso machine then do not worry, try the alternatives listed above. You want a strong flavour in your coffee. So, give it a good stir and add the condensed milk.
Step 4: Add your milk to your drinking cup or mug now that it has gotten warm. To maintain the traditional ratio, keep it at a 1:1 espresso to milk ratio. However, you also can enjoy a strong coffee flavour. Use either ⅓ espresso and ⅔ milk or ½ espresso and ½ milk to accomplish that.
Step 5: Enjoy your comforting cup of Spanish Latte after adding a pinch of your favourite seasoning.
Conclusion
A Spanish latte is a tasty and unique drink that you should try and experiment with at home. Around the world, there are numerous variations of this latte. You only need milk, espresso, and a sweetener to make this latte. Its simple preparation and flavourful flavour is the reason for its popularity. It completely delights your senses and uplifts your mood. Try this recipe at home and let us know how you like it!
