How hot should a latte be?

[cjhfield Member Find all posts View Profile Close cjhfield]

On a recent trip to Melbourne I sampled 3 excellent flat white/lattes at 3 different top coffee shops. I dont get much chance to drink top coffee except my own so it was an interesting comparison. The latte art put me to shame and the taste of all 3 was great but they were decidedly cooler than the ones I make at home. I suspect we brew at the same or similar temperature and steam the milk to a similar one as well but I always preheat the cup with an initial flush just before I brew. Is there a "standard" or agreed ideal temp? I suspect I will still continue to do it my way as it allows me a little more time to enjoy my coffee before it cools too much.

Chris

[Koffee_Kosmo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Koffee_Kosmo]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Its all personal preference
I like mine about 60 to 65 deg
Others like it up to 75 deg

KK

[askthecoffeeguy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close askthecoffeeguy]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Some cafes are purposely making their milk quite a bit cooler than the norm on the basis that it compliments the flavour profile of the coffees - say 55C as opposed to 63C, which translates to a markedly cooler coffee in the cup.


If like me you like you enjoy the coffee but not the cooler serving temperature from these cafes - ask for a hot coffee and it will still be served cooler than elsewhere!

make sense?

pat

[GrindOnDemand Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GrindOnDemand]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Some cafes are purposely making their milk quite a bit cooler than the norm on the basis that it compliments the flavour profile of the coffees - say 55C as opposed to 63C, which translates to a markedly cooler coffee in the cup.

Yep, agree with Pat - overly hot milk tends to mask the more subtle flavours in espresso.

Also, its easier to achieve better quality micro-foam to pull off latte art with the milk textured at a lower temp.

[cjhfield Member Find all posts View Profile Close cjhfield]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

I just measured my latest cup - 65 degrees. I will try a little cooler for the next few and see how it goes.

Chris

[LindaD Senior Groupie Find all posts View Profile Close LindaD]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Its all personal preference

Again I will agree with KK on this.

I like my milk to just hot enough to not drop the jug. This is about 50-55*, and to drink it without burning the roof top off of my mouth, and I agree that it does mask the wonderful flavours of the coffee...well it would after burning your taste buds off! ;D

Now on the other hand Mr "Oh! Chai Lattes are awesome" hubby likes his well into the 60*+ zone, so that makes me have to do 2 lots of milk. : Usually with his I use a thermometer, as I cant touch the jug with that heat.

-Linda

[luke_gts Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close luke_gts]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

i use my hand as well as i have made thousands, but i will occasioally temp to make sure i am on the ball.

i temp milk at ideally 70degrees. (65-75) I enjoy coffee to be 50-60 but the place i work has agreed on 70 degrees due to the amount of complaints of cold coffees when they go out at a drinkable temp.

So yeh.. i guess all a matter of preferance, and i think some people will want to let there latte/Flat white sit for a while as well.. so that is a factor for some as well...

[Dimal Mal Find all posts View Profile Close Dimal]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Definitely a matter of preference.... My youngest son(25y.o.) prefers his Lattes around 50-ish, eldest son(27y.o.) around the 60 mark and my preference is half-way between the two ;D. Also, my Lattes are really Piccolos, made with a Double-shot and then roughly equal amount of milk, no sugar.

I can always tell if I made the young blokes Latte too hot as he just leaves it sit for a few minutes before he drinks it, or he just tells me straight out.... Too hot Dad!

Mal.

[ajayro57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ajayro57]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

I prefer my latte to be 60-65. Most cafes Ive been to seem to serve it about 70. Probably so its not cold after sitting for a few minutes. One cafe at Balmain recently gave me a takeaway latte which must have been around 85! I didnt sip it until a few minutes later and almost stripped a couple of layers from the roof of my mouth! Definitely wont go back there again.

[Wushoes Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wushoes]

Re: How hot should a latte be?

Depends on the milk...and of course what temperature compliments the espresso. Granted most people have no clue about either.

Soy, no more than 60 deg C, 55 deg C nominal
Skinny, no more than 65 deg C, 60 deg C nominal
Full cream, no more than 65 deg C, 60 deg C nominal.

I will alway try to keep my milk below 65 deg C. I cant drink anything about that temp. The recommended temperature for regular cafes to heat milk is 65 to 70 deg C. 5 deg C is a massive window of temperature....I guess I can sense the temp by feel quite easily...and when you add hearing to that, it makes it even easier. I have the luxury of texturing of 30L of full cream, 10L of skinny and 4L of soy a day.

Practice makes perfect...I caught myself out heating milk a bit too hot today...still well under 70 deg C....damn colder weather.