We all love coffee, especially if you are an avid reader of ours. However, there are many different types of coffee out there and some are not always available in coffee shops near us. An example of this for some is a cortado, but what is a cortado?
A cortado is a type of coffee that is unique in both its preparation and its taste and is often distinguished by the way it is served. A cortado is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. It is similar to a cappuccino but is made with significantly less milk than a cappuccino and other common coffee drinks.
So, while cortados are specific with how they are made, what they are made with is more open to personal preference. They can be made with any type of coffee beans, and they are often served with either cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkled on top. While they can be made with any type of milk, most baristas prefer to use whole milk for the best results. The end result of this carefully crafted creation is a creamy, rich coffee drink that is perfect for morning or afternoon sipping, especially if you’re looking for a coffee drink that will boost your day without being too heavy. Now that you have an idea of what a cortado is, keep reading if you would like to know how to make a cortado, the history behind the drink, and more!
How to Make a Cortado
The cortado is traditionally served in a small glass or cup, and it can be enjoyed either hot or cold. There are many variations of the cortado, but the most common include adding flavors such as chocolate or caramel. Making a cortado at home is relatively easy, and only takes a few steps. With just a couple of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make your afternoon pick-me-up at home. Here’s how to do it:
- Make a fresh pot of espresso
- Steam some milk
- Pour milk over the espresso
You can use whatever method you prefer to brew your espresso. A few coffee connoisseurs suggest buying a high-quality espresso machine. However, it is not a necessity in order to get a good drink, whatever you currently have and use will be just fine. Just like brewing your espresso, there are different ways to steam your milk. You can either steam it on a stove, with a steam machine, or even put it in the microwave. All that matters is that you get the milk steamed and that it is to your liking. After your espresso and milk are prepared, pour the milk over the espresso as close to a 1:1 espresso-to-milk ratio as possible.
Remember, cortados are usually served in small glasses, this helps highlight the espresso flavor. If desired, you can top it off with a dusting of cocoa powder, nutmeg, or cinnamon. Make sure to enjoy it immediately for the full effect! No matter how it is prepared, the cortado is an excellent way to enjoy a cup of coffee.
The History of a Cortado
The cortado is a coffee drink with a long and storied history. Its origins are typically traced back to Spain, where it was popularized in the 19th century. They were typically served in small glasses or cups without topping or decoration and often enjoyed with breakfast or as a mid-morning pick-me-up. The word cortado comes from the Spanish verb cortar, which means to cut, which refers to the way that it is prepared. The term “cut” often describes something that is half of one thing and half of another. An example would be sweet and unsweetened tea or sweet tea and lemonade. Since the cortado ratio is 1:1 that also makes it a “cut” beverage.
A cortado is made by adding a small amount of milk to espresso, resulting in a drink that is strong but not too bitter. The milk helps to smooth out the espresso and create a more balanced drink. The cortado became popular in Spain and Portugal as an alternative to traditional Spanish coffee, which was made with much more milk. In recent years, the cortado has gained popularity beyond its Spanish roots and can now be found in cafes all over the world. Thanks to its balance of boldness and richness, the cortado has become a favorite among coffee lovers everywhere.
Cortado Alternatives
There are several other drinks that are similar to cortados. These include cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes. Like cortados, these drinks combine espresso with steamed milk. However, each drink has its own unique flavor and texture. While a cortado is a Spanish drink, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and lattes are all Italian versions of the same ingredients with different ratios.
Cappuccinos
Cappuccinos are typically lighter and airier than cortados. This is because they are made with significantly more milk, usually a 1:5 ratio. This is what makes them less intense than a cortado. They are also served with a layer of foam on the top. The foam layers help trap the heat making it warmer than a cortado.
Lattes
Lattes tend to be somewhere in between a cortado and a cappuccino. It has a smooth, creamy texture and rich flavor that is very similar to the cappuccino. A latte is made with a 1:3 ratio of espresso and steamed milk. This is more milk than a cortado and macchiato but less than a cappuccino. A latte is a drink that is very easy to personalize. They are most often flavored drinks and used as seasonal or special drinks. That is because it is really easy to add any flavoring or syrup to a latte and it still tastes right. There are common and more traditional lattes like vanilla or caramel, seasonal like peppermint or pumpkin, and specialty flavors like lavender. The latte is very similar to a cortado. However, it has the potential to be on the other end of the spectrum after it is crafted.
Macchiatos
Macchiatos are another type of coffee drink that is similar to a cortado. Like a cortado, a macchiato consists of espresso and steamed milk. It is created with a single shot of espresso that is “marked” or “stained” and only a small amount of milk. Usually just enough to take the edge off the bitterness of the coffee. The common macchiato is about 90% espresso and 10% milk. As a result, macchiatos are much less milky than cortados, lattes and cappuccinos.
When it comes to taste, cortados tend to be more balanced than macchiatos since the milk tempers the espresso’s bitterness. Macchiatos, on the other hand, tend to be more intense. This is because there is less milk to balance out the coffee flavor. However, in a macchiato, the milk is added on top of the espresso, rather than being mixed together. This creates a more visually appealing drink. As you can see the layers and sharp lines between the milk and espresso. Overall, macchiatos have a more robust and bold coffee flavor than many other coffee drinks.
Conclusion
The coffee world can seem endless and daunting to those who aren’t avid coffee drinkers or dabble in the art of espresso. There are numerous delicately crafted drinks of all different styles and origins. Next time you’re looking for something that is different, traditional, or more robust than your usual coffee order, try a cortado. Its perfect 1:1 ratio might be just what you need to boost your day! However, if the 1:1 ratio seems too much or too little, there are multiple other options out there to try until you get it right! If you decide that the cortado is your new go-to drink, experiment with different toppings like cocoa, nutmeg, or cinnamon. Although it is a traditional drink, get creative and find the perfect topping for you!
