Latte is one of the most popular coffee recipes. Fans of coffee cocktails love it for its large volume, low strength, soft creamy taste and the ability to experiment with toppings. There are several types of dishes to serve this drink - a cup, a glass and a latte glass. What are the distinctive features of each type, how to choose the right one and what price will the purchase cost?
Why are lattes served in glasses?
As with many coffee stories and recipes, the origins and presentation of the latte have many inaccuracies. They can even be seen in the name of the drink. Latte is Italian for milk, served in tall glass glasses. Then, as an experiment, Italian bartenders began adding a shot of espresso coffee to the milk as a topping. The resulting mixture was called latte macchiato, that is, coffee milk. With the advent of cappuccino machines, milk began to be whipped until a head of foam formed.
Baristas noted that if a shot of espresso is poured into milk in a special way immediately after whipping, the coffee gets under the light and loose foam, forming a dark layer.
Therefore, the tradition of serving lattes in glass glasses has continued. To this day, many establishments continue to prepare lattes so that the layers of the drink are clearly visible.
Classic glass coffee glasses
Glass coffee glasses are most often used when serving this drink. They don't have any special features. They come in different shapes and sizes.
As a rule, they are made using crystal glass.
It should be noted that it is durable; if it falls on the floor, it will most likely remain intact.
Such glasses are relatively inexpensive and when purchasing in bulk, sellers are willing to make big discounts on them.
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Types of latte glassware
Over time, other interesting options for serving this recipe have appeared, and today the choice of containers for latte is very large.
Latte glass
Made of glass, has a volume from 150 to 300 ml, equipped with a handle. There are two main types. On a short stem, similar to an enlarged glass and a regular one, reminiscent of a glass cup. A glass with a stem most often has a smaller volume. In height it is equal to the standard container size of 300 ml, but in fact it holds much less drink.
Latte glass
It is distinguished by the absence of a handle. Its volume ranges from 250 to 300 ml.
Latte cup
Made of porcelain or ceramics, it has a laconic inverted trapezoid shape and is equipped with a comfortable handle. Most often it has the classic colors of coffee utensils - white, cream, vanilla. Can be sold complete with saucer and spoon. Volume – 250-320 ml.
Latte mug
Made of thick-walled porcelain, ceramics, quite heavy and even rough. But it is reliable, and even cozy. Latte mugs can be straight-sided or tapered at the bottom. They do not pretend to be graceful; they are often decorated with cute designs or various ornaments. Their volume is from 300 to 360 ml.
Irish coffee glass
Modern glasses for Irish coffee are strikingly different from those that were used previously. They come in many different shapes and sizes. The holder itself is small and comfortable to hold in your hand. It is attached to the body, and a 6-centimeter leg at the bottom holds the glass.
At the moment, the most popular glasses for Irish coffee are glasses made of double-layer glass. They retain heat well and do not cause pain in direct contact with the hands. There are 3 types of such glasses:
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A vessel made in the likeness of a tulip is served on the table along with a sweet treat; it is believed that it is the one that best preserves the taste of coffee.
An inverted cone with a wide base - it is used to cool coffee faster.
Latte glass or mug
We found out the origins of glassware for latte, but today transparent dishes are gradually being replaced by tall cups and mugs. There are several reasons for this.
- The real taste of latte macchiato is revealed only when the drink is smooth. Therefore, a good barista will try to pour the espresso into the frothed milk in such a way as to ensure maximum mixing of the ingredients. Glass glasses are losing their aesthetic value; there are fewer and fewer people willing to observe the layers to the detriment of taste.
At the barista championship, lattes are evaluated, among other things, by the uniformity of taste. The layered structure is considered bad form for connoisseurs.
- In porcelain cups, latte retains its temperature longer, and for this reason, an increasing number of establishments pour this coffee with milk into thick-walled cups and mugs.
- The fashion for porcelain tableware also benefits the owners of the establishment. Ceramic mugs are versatile; you can pour tea, Americano or latte into them. Cost optimization is a powerful incentive for strengthening fashion.
The taste characteristics of the drink do not limit the choice of glassware. Lattes are served hot or cold. In addition, a significant amount of latte in any case implies a change in temperature during consumption. So it turns out that there is not much difference in choosing the type of cookware. The main trends are dictated by fashion and practical considerations.
Glasses are gradually losing their position, as the fashion for layered lattes has passed, and glasses and cups are more practical and have universal capabilities.
Heat-resistant coffee glasses
Heat-resistant double coffee glasses have a similar design to regular thermoses.
The base consists of two glasses that smoothly connect at the neck. This feature can be clearly seen when the glass is completely empty.
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It has 2 walls in which air is present, creating the necessary condensation, thanks to which the coffee in such a glass will remain hot for as long as possible.
These double-walled coffee glasses are now sold in many hypermarkets, as well as in stores specializing in tableware. Their price will vary significantly depending on the company and country of manufacture.
Latte glass - main characteristics
This type of tableware has gained immense popularity due to its democratic nature. It can be made from plastic, ceramics, porcelain, glass. Glasses often have an expressive design. Bright colors, fashionable designs, stylish prints make them popular among young people. Despite the apparent diversity, all representatives of this class have common features.
- Large volume. A latte glass can be up to 360 ml; popular options are 250-330 ml.
- The shape is an inverted trapezoid or an inverted bell.
- Price. Depends on the material of manufacture, design and the manufacturer himself. Thus, a plastic glass from the German manufacturer Lurch costs from 350 rubles. Porcelain with silicone inserts from the Danish company Eva Solo will cost 1,500 thousand, and ceramic from the Chinese Sagaform complete with a special spoon has a price of 900 rubles.
What came first: the glass or the drink
The history of the Irish coffee glass began in the forties of the nineteenth century. Then the French soldiers who captured the Mazargan fort in Morocco discovered unusual glass mugs on a stem. They soon began using them to serve coffee infused with brandy.
A hundred years later, a bartender named Tom Sheridan created a world-famous cocktail. He came up with the idea of pouring coffee with Irish whiskey into replica Moroccan glasses and garnishing with cream. This is how the world learned about Irish Coffee and Irish glass.
How to Choose the Perfect Latte Cup
If you strive for harmony and love classic solutions, then you should pay attention to cups and mugs for this drink. What should someone who decides to get a latte cup in their household remember? The ideal choice will ensure compliance with simple rules.
- Choose large-volume dishes. The average latte portion is 280-300 ml. So buy a cup with a reserve, for example, 320-350 ml. Then there will be enough room for a decent foam.
The height of the latte foam should be 4-6 mm; it has a loose and porous structure. It is often decorated with chocolate shavings or a decorative design.
- The cup should be made of natural material. Glass, porcelain, ceramics are suitable. Leave the plastic utensils to the catering industry; you should enjoy good things at home.
When purchasing a ceramic mug, pay attention to the quality of the internal coating. It should be smooth, even, glossy, without chips or cracks, and reach the very edge of the cup.
- The shape in the form of an inverted trapezoid is considered the most convenient, as it prevents the drink from losing temperature too quickly.
The cost of a good cup of latte is about 600 – 800 rubles. For this price you can buy Tescoma products from the English company James Sadler, or a good Chinese-made cup. Glass cups are cheaper than ceramic cups; Tescoma also has a glass collection for this type of coffee, starting at 340 rubles per piece. You can often find offers for a pair of cups or a set with a special latte spoon, which has a comfortable elongated handle.
So, the best glassware for latte would be:
- Cup or glass made from natural materials
- Volume from 280 to 330 ml
- With a bottom diameter smaller than the diameter of the top edge
What latte utensils do you use?
Rules for preparing ice cream
The classic recipe calls for mixing ice cream with coffee cooled to a temperature of +10 °C. However, this is dangerous to health: in the heat it is easy to become hoarse or even get a sore throat. It is much safer to cool the coffee base to +20 °C.
If you want to treat yourself to dessert in inclement, cool weather, then a temperature of +30 °C is also allowed. Hotter coffee makes the ice cream melt faster, but some people prefer that flavor. It should be remembered that too much temperature difference is harmful to tooth enamel.
In order for the black coffee to have time to cool, it is recommended to brew it in advance, at least 20–40 minutes before preparing the ice cream. Hot liquid cannot be placed in the refrigerator, so the vessel with strained coffee is first placed in a large container of cold water. In such conditions, the coffee quickly cools to room temperature. To speed up cooling, change the water in the container every 5–10 minutes.
There are two options for preparing glace:
- Coffee is poured into a glass and a scoop of ice cream is placed on top.
- Ice cream is lowered to the bottom and coffee is poured over it.
In the first case, the drink looks very impressive: on top of the dark brown layer there is a snow-white melting ice cream, streams of which are already beginning to seep into the coffee. In the second option, a ball of ice cream floats to the surface, turning the liquid beige. As a result, the coffee is no longer as beautiful.
It is customary to mix the ice cream just before serving so that the ice cream does not start to melt.
The best cup for coffee
Favorite morning drink is a cup of coffee. It is he who awakens feelings, strength and mood. It has a surprisingly multifaceted taste and aroma, and it’s even more pleasant to drink it from beautiful dishes. Today you can buy coffee cups in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be tiny for the strongest espresso or huge for a delicious cappuccino.
Ceramic cups are considered traditional and most correct. Ceramics are non-toxic, retain heat well, look aesthetically pleasing and are easy to care for. If the dishes are made of thick-walled ceramics, they keep the drink hot for the longest time and help to better perceive the aroma.
A classic of the genre is a cup made of white porcelain with a volume of 50 ml. Espresso or Turkish coffee is always served in such dishes. For numerous coffee drinks, there is a special glassware that shows the beauty of the drink.
