There’s something undeniably comforting and elegant about a classic café au lait. It’s a simple drink, yet it manages to be both sophisticated and deeply satisfying. It’s enjoyed around the world, with variations popping up everywhere you look.
So what exactly is a café au lait? And how do you make one at home? That’s what we’ll explore in this article. We’ll start with a definition and a bit of history, then dive into a foolproof café au lait recipe. We’ll even look at some fun variations and compare it to its close cousin, the latte.
What is Cafe au Lait?
Café au lait is a simple coffee drink that combines brewed coffee and hot milk. And when I say brewed coffee, I mean brewed coffee, not espresso like you’d find in a latte or cappuccino. It’s a very traditional drink, often served in France in a large, footed bowl.
In fact, café au lait has French origins, and is often enjoyed as part of “le petit déjeuner,” or breakfast. It’s a comforting and straightforward way to start the day.
Cafe au Lait vs. Latte: What’s the Difference?
While both drinks combine coffee and milk, there are some key distinctions:
- Coffee: A cafe au lait uses brewed coffee, such as drip, pour-over, French press, or moka pot. A latte, on the other hand, uses espresso.
- Milk: For a cafe au lait, you’ll typically just use hot milk and a small amount of froth. A latte uses steamed milk with microfoam (tiny, velvety bubbles), which is often used for latte art.
- Serving Style: A cafe au lait is often served in a bowl, while a latte is usually served in a mug or glass.
These differences in coffee type, milk preparation, and serving style result in two unique coffee experiences.
A world of cafe au lait
The basic idea of mixing coffee and milk has taken root in many countries. Here are a few variations:
- Cafe con leche. Popular in Spain and Latin America, this drink typically uses espresso and steamed milk.
- Cafe com leite. The Portuguese version of a similar concept.
- Koffie verkeerd. A Dutch drink that translates to “wrong coffee,” it’s made with equal parts coffee and hot milk.
- New Orleans-style cafe au lait. This drink uses a blend of coffee and chicory, mixed with scalded milk. The chicory adds an earthy, slightly bitter flavor.
Brewing the Perfect Cup: Coffee Preparation Methods
The kind of coffee you brew can affect the taste and texture of your café au lait. Here are a few popular methods:
Drip Coffee: A Classic Choice
When using a drip coffee maker, it’s best to use a medium grind. For a café au lait, you’ll want to brew a strong pot of coffee.
French Press: Rich and Bold
With the French press method, use a coarse grind and let the coffee steep for about four minutes.
Moka Pot: A Stronger Brew
The moka pot method produces a concentrated coffee that’s similar to espresso.
Pour-Over: Controlled and Precise
The pour-over technique gives you a lot of control over the strength and flavor of your coffee. Use a gooseneck kettle to make sure the grounds are evenly saturated.
Steaming the Milk: Achieving the Right Texture
Getting the milk right is key to a good cafe au lait. You want it hot, but not scalding. Aim for around 150°F (65°C).
Here’s how to steam milk with a minimum of foam:
- Purge the steam wand to get rid of any condensation.
- Position the tip of the wand just below the surface of the milk.
- Introduce a tiny bit of air to create a thin layer of microfoam.
If you don’t have a steam wand, you can also heat the milk in a saucepan on the stovetop or use a milk frother.
Classic Cafe au Lait Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s the method for making a simple yet satisfying cafe au lait at home. It requires only a few ingredients and steps, and you can adjust the quantities to your liking.
Ingredients
- Freshly brewed coffee (1 cup)
- Milk (1 cup)
- Optional: Sugar or sweetener to taste
Instructions
- Brew your coffee using your favorite method. A drip machine or French press work nicely.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan or microwave until hot, but not boiling. Microwaving it for about 45 seconds is usually about right.
- If you like, whisk the milk briskly to create a light froth.
- Pour the coffee into a large mug or bowl.
- Add the hot milk to the coffee.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Stir in sugar or sweetener, if desired.
Enjoy your homemade cafe au lait!
Putting It All Together
As you can see, making a cafe au lait is simple, and it’s easy to adapt this recipe to your tastes. Feel free to experiment with different coffee beans and types of milk until you find the perfect combination.
There’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of enjoying a homemade cafe au lait!