Only coffee lovers know how it feels when the tongue gets the taste of new flavored coffee. So, you are at a coffee shop to try something different and obviously looking at “Piccolo Latte” in the menu list but you could not decide because you are in confusion.
What exactly a Piccolo Latte is and how it will be stated?
No worries. I am explaining this to you in detail within a few minutes.
It is important to understand what is ristretto shot before explaining what Piccolo is, how it is different from a regular one, how it is served, and what is its unique benefit.
In the simplest terms, ristretto means “restricted.” Basically, a ristretto is a short shot of espresso made with finely ground beans that produce less than 15-20mls of liquid. As less water is forced through the finely ground that produces a rich concentrated flavor. In addition, the coffee taste sweet and less bitter for its short extraction.
So next time, do not misunderstand when someone orders a ristretto shot which does not mean she wants less coffee rather she instructs the barista to limit the amount of espresso shot in her coffee. It is all about quality over quantity.
Let’s jump to your main query.
The misconception of Piccolo latte
Most people think that Piccolo is really a scaled-down version of the full-sized latte so it will represent the same flavor and strength. And, this is the most common trap people fall into when making a piccolo that causes confusion and customer dissatisfaction.
What is exactly a Piccolo Latte?
If you heard the name the first time “Piccolo Latte”, you will feel weird because it is hard to make connections between a small flute and a latte. In fact, the literal meaning of the word Piccolo in Italian is “little”.
So, “Piccolo Latte” means a small drink but you should never make the mistake of underestimating its taste.
A Piccolo Latte is a drink that is prepared on a ristretto shot of coffee topped with warm, silky milk served in a small glass of approximately 100mls. So, it is very clear that Piccolo Latte is usually prepared using a Ristretto shot instead of Espresso! In other words, we can say the drink is made with a quick shot of caffeine with a touch of milk.
And, the final product seems like a short black (espresso) cup filled to the brim with milk, giving it a more concentrated flavor.
Interestingly, you may find some people use the term Piccolo to describe any latte that is smaller than the conventionally small 7 to 8-ounce glass. This is why that coffee is also referred to as “baby latte”.
When you order Piccolo Latte most probably you will get it in a 100ml baby glass because this is the traditional way of serving the Piccolo Latte.
Why Piccolo Latte is being popular
Piccolo latte is perfect after taking a meal or you like to have many drinks throughout the day but a large milky drink each time is not charming.
Over the last decades, the popularity of this coffee in Australia has increased and it has good reasons.
And, its popularity is also spreading all over the world as a growing number of people want to reduce their milk intake and want smaller milk-based coffee rather than their regular flat white or latte.
What is in a Piccolo Latte
Main ingredients of the Piccolo Latte are
- 1 ounce of ristretto
- 2 ounces of streamed and textured milk.
How to Make a PERFECT Piccolo coffee like a Pro
Who will get the most out of it?
Firstly, this coffee is perfect for anyone of us, especially those who find espresso too intense or others who wanted something slightly different.
Secondly, the latte lovers who don’t like filling up with a lot of milk but still want to enjoy a latte.
Thirdly, coffee-savvy people who have serious problems with acidity so might get the benefit of this coffee as it contains low acidity due to short extraction.
Fourthly, anyone who prefers a light brew is one of the good choices to go.
Piccolo latte vs Cortado: it is about extraction
A lot of people ask this question over and over because it always creates confusion.
Both coffees are prepared in the same way but the only difference is their shot length.
A Piccolo latte is made with a ristretto shot topped with warm milk in a demitasse (miniature latte glass) where the milk is steamed, with little to no foam.
A Cortado is also using the same steamed milk with little to no foam but with a regular espresso shot. Here, the shot length is high.
So, the difference is all about it shot length.
How Piccolo Latte is made (Step by step)
Making a Piccolo latte is simple and easy once you know how to do it. Here, we are going to show exactly how to prepare a Piccolo Latte without any mess.
We recommend you make at least make two glasses so that you can drink one and another is for your friend.
Step-1: Take some of the best lighter-roasted coffee grinds
Step-2: Grab a 100ml glass, preferably not a demitasse cup. Just keep in mind that it’s a piccolo latte, not a piccolo cappuccino..
Step-3: You can take 30 ml of espresso extracts or 20 ml of ristretto in your glass depending on your taste buds. So, extract the coffee as you prefer.
Step-5:If you can manage two tasks at once, then heat milk on the stovetop or microwave. Make sure not to burn the milk and keep the temperature around 65–70 degrees.
Step-6:Then pour the steamed milk evenly.
Voila! Your Piccolo Latte is ready. Now, it is coffee time.
How to Make a PERFECT Piccolo coffee like a Pro
How many calories in piccolo Latte
A mini version of a latte with just 45 calories with full cream milk or 25 if you go for skim. The good news is for those who enjoy the taste of coffee and who do not need the extra milk and calories.
Final words
No doubt, you will absolutely enjoy making piccolos and the best thing for me is that I don’t feel guilty about having a second or third cup.