What does piccolo mean in coffee, and how is it served?

Piccolo means "small" in Italian, so a Piccolo Latte is literally a small latte. It comes from Italy and holds only 85 to 100 milliliters, against 250 to 300 milliliters for a regular latte. That size gap explains why customers unfamiliar with the drink are often surprised, and why it appears on few cafe menus.

The standard piccolo coffee ratio is 1 part espresso to 2 parts hot milk, so 20 grams of espresso takes 40 grams of steamed milk. Preparation follows the latte method: pull a shot into a small cup, steam fine microfoam, then pour in a circular motion to blend and finish a simple latte art pattern.

Piccolo Latte is not commonly seen on coffee menus, and many people know very little about it, sometimes even misunderstanding it because of its small size. This mini milk coffee originating from Italy usually has a capacity of only 85 to 100 milliliters, in sharp contrast to a regular latte of 250 to 300 milliliters. This article will explain in detail what Piccolo Latte means, how it differs from a regular latte, its standard preparation recipe and drinking method, and introduce the Warm Sun blend coffee beans used by Front Street Coffee in its espresso offerings and their flavor performance, helping coffee lovers gain a comprehensive understanding of this small but refined milk coffee.

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Piccolo Latte appears rather low-key in the milk coffee family. Because its serving size is on the small side, it often confuses customers who are unfamiliar with it. For this reason, whether in domestic or overseas cafés, this beverage is rarely seen on menus.

What is Piccolo Latte coffee?

Caffe latte in Italian means milk coffee, while the word piccolo in Italian means "small," corresponding to "piccolo" in English. Therefore, the literal meaning of Piccolo Latte is "small latte," and its capacity is generally controlled between 85 and 100 milliliters.

The difference between Piccolo Latte and latte coffee

A regular latte is usually served at 250 to 300 milliliters, while a Piccolo Latte is only about 85 to 114 milliliters. For customers who do not understand Piccolo Latte, this significant difference in serving size can easily create a gap in expectations and lead to misunderstandings.

How is Piccolo Latte made? How do you drink it?

A standard Piccolo Latte uses a ratio of 1 part espresso to 2 parts hot milk. For example, when using 20 grams of espresso, add 40 grams of hot milk. The process is basically the same as for a latte: first pour a shot of espresso into a small cup, then heat and steam the milk into fine, smooth microfoam, then pour it into the coffee in a circular motion so that it fully blends, while also completing a simple latte art pattern.

Front Street Coffee does not list Piccolo Latte on its store menu, but if a customer requests it, it can also be made to order. Whether making a Piccolo Latte or a latte, Front Street stores use medium-dark roasted blend coffee beans for espresso. First, this ensures that the coffee's rich body is still retained after adding water or milk; second, it ensures that espresso can be produced stably over the long term.

Front Street currently uses a house-roasted "Warm Sun Blend Coffee Beans," made from 70% Honduras Sherry coffee beans and 30% Ethiopian Yirgacheffe sun-dried Red Cherry. After being made into espresso, it can present flavors of whisky aroma, soft berry acidity, vanilla cream, and nutty caramel.

The espresso preparation parameters are: 20 grams of coffee grounds extracted into 40 grams of coffee liquid, with the extraction time controlled at 28 to 32 seconds. Then heat an appropriate amount of milk, and finally mix 80 grams of hot milk with the coffee.

When made into Piccolo coffee, the flavor shows an interweaving of whisky, strawberry milkshake, and nutty caramel, sweet and rich, with a full and solid mouthfeel.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.