Cortado is a coffee that has quite the fanbase. It’s simple, but the drink has been able to capture the hearts of so many coffee drinkers. The popularity of Cortado continues to rise in coffee shops worldwide as well. But what is a Cortado? and is it good? Well I’m here to find out exactly what sets this drink apart from others, and show you how to make it.
What is a Cortado ?
When going through the different types of coffees, you’ll notice that most milky ones have froth or foam in them. That’s not the case with cortado though. Instead, Cortado coffee uses lightly steamed milk at a lower quantity. This brings down the acidity level and creates a micro-foam which doesn’t separate from the espresso, giving it a strong and rich flavor.
Where is Cortado from / Cortado Origin?
It shouldn’t be too surprising to find out that this delightful cup of joe comes all the way from Europe, and Spain to be specific. As such an essential part of their culture, Spain has a real cafe culture where people can sit and enjoy good company and even better drinks. The cortado coffee stands as one of those classic drinks that locals and tourists alike just can’t get enough of.
Although originally from Spain it’s inspired many variations around the world. Each has its own twist and local flair, and they’ve been adopted by different cultures to suit their needs. In Cuba, you’ll find “cortadito” which is usually sweetened with condensed milk. That concoction forms a key ingredient in Cuban coffee when mixed with espresso shots. You can also get your fix in Portugal with a “pingado” which means “dripped.” It consists of only a few drops of milk added to the coffee.
These are just two examples of how people put unique spins on the cortado to make it more appealing for everyone everywhere.
What Does “Cortado” Mean?
The Cortado definition, means cut or trimmed down when translated into English. It accurately describes exactly how this espresso-based drink is made too. A small amount of warm milk is combined with an espresso shot which cuts down on its boldness without taking away any flavors.
Cortado Taste Profile
Taste plays such a huge role in coffee and the Cortado coffee has the perfect balance of flavors that sets it apart from others.
The flavor of a cortado is created by the equal combination of espresso and milk. The bold, robust nature of the espresso shines through, offering a strong coffee taste with hints of bitterness and boldness. The milk adds smoothness to it all, making this drink as creamy as can be while also being enjoyable thanks to its well-rounded flavor.
Balance is so important when making one too. Too much milk will take away from how bold the espresso should taste, while too little would make it far too intense for some people’s palates.
In terms of strength, the cortado finds itself right in the middle. It isn’t as bold as a straight espresso shot, however it also doesn’t find itself quite as mild as a traditional latte. The cortado is able to strike this perfect balance that allows the coffee’s strength to run rampant, while still being silky smooth and creamy..
Cortado Taste Profile Table
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Flavor | A decent blend of bold espresso and creamy milk |
| Balance | The perfect ratio of espresso to milk that creates a well-rounded taste |
| Strength | A satisfying middle ground, not too strong nor too mild |
You get all of the best parts from both worlds with this coffee. Whether you’re someone who enjoys the boldness of coffee or the creaminess of milk, you’ll be able to find appreciation in a cortado.
With such a specific combo of ingredients, you can expect that this drink will be a hit among coffee lovers.
Now let’s dive into how you can make your own cortado at home without any fancy machinery..
Crafting the Perfect Cortado at Home
For Coffee fanatics yearning to make a perfect cortado without setting foot outside their home, there are several key factors to keep in mind. Striking the perfect espresso to milk ratio, picking the right kind of milk and using the traditional cortado vessel are all essential. And for people who don’t own a coffee machine, making a delicious cortado is still possible. Let’s dive into the details.
Tips for Achieving the Ideal Espresso to Milk Ratio
The espresso to milk ratio is crucial in creating the perfect cortado. A recommended formula calls for equal parts espresso and milk. This balance ensures that neither drink overtakes the other so their unique characteristics can shine through. Adjust ratios until you get an intensity and flavor profile that you like best.
Selecting Your Milk: Dairy and Plant-Based Alternatives
Choosing what kind of milk to use depends on your preferences and dietary restrictions. Traditionalists might opt for whole milk since it’ll add richness and creaminess to the cocktail’s texture. But there’s also many dairy alternatives out there — almond, oat or soy milks, just to name a few — that offer unique flavors and textures capable of complementing your beverage’s taste.
Gibraltar Glass: The Traditional Cortado Vessel
The glass in which you serve your cortado can contribute quite a bit in terms of overall experience. A traditionalist would go with a Gibraltar glass — they’re short, wide and sturdy so you can grip them comfortably. Plus their shape allows you see all layers of coffee clearly (and they look great doing it). But any other coffee glass I find works well.
Making Cortado Without a Coffee Machine
If you don’t have a coffee machine at home don’t worry! There are alternative methods out there that’ll do just fine when making your morning cortado. One simple technique is heating up some milk on the stove top or microwave until it reaches your desired temperature. While that’s happening brew a strong cup of espresso with an AeroPress or French press. Afterward, mix your espresso and milk at the desired ratio to create a delicious cortado without the need for a coffee machine.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Stovetop Milk Heating | Simple and accessible method | Requires careful monitoring of milk temperature |
| Microwave Milk Heating | Quick and convenient | May result in uneven heating |
| AeroPress | Produces a strong espresso-like coffee | Requires a separate step to heat the milk |
| French Press | Easy to use and clean | May have a slightly different taste compared to traditional espresso |
Cortado vs. Latte: Understanding the Difference
While each kind of milky coffee holds its own unique characteristics, cortado is very different compared to other drinks like lattes for example. Lattes use much more milk than cortados do while a Cortado uses a more equal mix of espresso and milk.
The Role of Milk: Temperature and Texture Comparisons
Milk plays a massive role in both cortado and latte but with different qualities. In a cortado, milk is steamed to a lower temperature which makes it slightly cooler than other milk based coffees. The texture of milk is smooth and velvety, complementing the strong espresso without overpowering its richness.
On the other hand for latte, is known for warm frothy milk instead. Milk is steamed at high temperature resulting in an indulgent creamy but frothy texture..
Size differences : Latte vs Cortado
The obvious difference between these two is their serving size. Cortado has equal parts espresso and steamed milk making it smaller compared to its counterpart beverages at around 5 Oz. This makes it less milky while still having the smoothness of it perfect for those who prefer bolder coffee flavors.
As mentioned earlier, a latte offers larger serving size with one shot of espresso and generous amount of steamed milk resulting in bigger drink servings that are creamier yet milder coffee options..
Flavor Intensity: Contrasting the Boldness and Strength
One reason why people love drinking cortado is because of its balanced taste. With equal parts espresso and milk they offer strong yet smooth coffee experience giving you that rich character as well.
While on the other hand, latte leans more towards creamy mild flavors due to the generous amount of steamed milk used to make this type of coffee, which then mellows down the espresso providing smoother less pronounced coffee taste perfect for those who prefer a less intense taste.