In the realm of coffee choices, two contenders stand out: the Frappe and the Latte. As you step into a bustling café, faced with these tantalizing options, the question lingers: which one should you choose?
The Frappe is a chilled delight blending instant coffee, ice, and a touch of sweetness. Its cool and invigorating qualities make it a perfect companion for warm days. On the other side, the Latte enchants with its smooth layers of espresso and steamed milk, offering a comforting and creamy indulgence.
So, which one will emerge victorious in the ultimate quest for coffee supremacy? Let’s dive into Frappe vs Latte battle!
Differences at Glance:
Ingredients: Latte has concentrated Espresso shots while Frappe has Instant coffee.
Serving Style: Latte is typically served as a hot coffee drink in Ceramic cups while Frappe is served in tall glasses as a cold drink.
Taste: Latte has a rich texture with a strong coffee taste while Frappe feels like a cold shake with a little touch of coffee.
First, What is a Frappe?
A Frappe is a cold coffee beverage made from instant coffee, water, sugar, and ice, which originated in Greece.
It is typically served with whipped cream on top and can be further customized with flavors like chocolate or caramel. The Frappe gained popularity for its refreshing qualities, making it a go-to option during hot summer days.
This versatile beverage transcends the realm of coffee. While the traditional Frappé is made with coffee, these refreshing treats can also be made using tea, juice, and even hot chocolate!
The Origins and Variations of Frappe
The origin of the Frappe is quite intriguing, as it can be traced back to the International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1957. According to Nescafe, the accidental invention of the Frappe can be attributed to Dimitris Vakondios, a Nescafé representative.
Due to a lack of hot water, Vakondios improvised and mixed instant coffee with water using a shaker, creating a cold coffee drink unknowingly. This unique creation rapidly gained popularity, spreading not only throughout Greece but also reaching far beyond its borders.
As the Frappe gained recognition, it underwent various transformations, resulting in an array of delightful variations.
For chocolate enthusiasts, there’s the Mocha Frappe, which incorporates rich chocolate syrup into the mix. If you have a penchant for caramel, the Caramel Frappe adds a luscious caramel twist to the blend.
These innovative adaptations have expanded the appeal of the Frappe, accommodating a wide range of taste preferences and ensuring there’s a Frappe variation for everyone to enjoy!
The world of Frappés is a fascinating one, with diverse variations depending on your location. In Greece, when you order a Frappé, you’ll receive a delightful concoction made from instant coffee, sugar, water, and optional milk, all vigorously shaken in a cocktail shaker to create a frothy layer on top.
Meanwhile, in Serbia, you’ll be treated to a Frappé accompanied by milk or ice cream, generously topped with freshly whipped cream. There is a variety that awaits you in different corners of the world!
What is a Latte?
Now, let’s turn our attention to the delightful Latte. This espresso-based beverage is a beloved favorite among coffee enthusiasts.
A Latte is created by skillfully combining rich espresso shots with velvety steamed milk, resulting in a harmonious blend of flavors.
To add a touch of artistry, a thin layer of frothed milk is delicately placed on top, creating an aesthetically pleasing presentation. With its smooth and creamy texture, the Latte offers a comforting and satisfying coffee experience that many adore.
A fact about the Latte is that its name actually originates from the Italian caffè latte, which translates to “milk coffee.” This name perfectly reflects the key components of this beverage, highlighting the significant role that milk plays in creating its signature taste and texture.
While the traditional Latte consists of espresso and steamed milk, creative variations have emerged over time to cater to different preferences.
For those seeking a touch of sweetness, flavors like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut can be added to enhance the overall taste experience.
Additionally, some coffee aficionados enjoy experimenting with alternative milk options, such as almond milk or oat milk, to create their own unique twist on the classic Latte!
6 Differences between the Frappe and Latte
The Ingredients and Preparation Technique
Frappe doesn’t have a standard recipe it has many variations in different regions. Typically it includes instant coffee, sugar, water, flavoring syrups, and cold-frothed milk or whipped cream.
A frothy base is created by mixing instant coffee with sugar and water. Then, cold milk and ice are added to the mixture and well mixed in a cocktail shaker.
While a latte is made with espresso and steamed milk. Espresso is brewed and topped with steamed milk, with lovely latte art. The ratio of espresso to milk can vary according to taste.
Serving style
The Frappe is typically served in a tall glass filled with ice, creating a visually appealing and refreshing beverage.
The addition of whipped cream on top not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also adds a creamy and indulgent element to the drink.
This presentation is often accompanied by a straw, allowing for easy sipping and enjoying the layered textures of the Frappe.
On the other hand, the Latte is traditionally served in a ceramic or glass cup, without ice.
The careful layering of steamed milk and espresso shots creates an elegant and visually pleasing drink.
Latte art, where baristas skillfully create intricate designs on the surface of the beverage using steamed milk, has become a popular trend, adding an artistic touch to the Latte presentation.
Hot or Cold
The Frappe is primarily consumed as a cold beverage, making it a perfect option for warm weather. Its icy nature provides a refreshing sensation and can be an excellent choice for hot summer days
And, the Latte can be enjoyed both hot and cold.
However, the traditional way to enjoy a latte in Italy is as a hot beverage, typically consumed in the mornings.
Which tastes better?
When it comes to taste preferences, the Frappe and Latte offer unique flavor profiles to suit different palates. The Frappe stands out with its cold and refreshing taste with a comparatively bitter and weaker coffee touch.
On the other hand, the Latte presents a smoother and milder taste. The presence of strong Espresso shots in the Latte creates a delightful harmony with the steamed milk and delivers a creamy and well-rounded flavor.
In my opinion, the Latte takes the crown. Its rich and creamy texture, combined with the rich Espresso flavors, creates a satisfying and cozy experience.
And the Frappe made with instant coffee, has a very dull coffee taste as expected from the Instant coffee. Alas, I have no love for you, my powdered friend! I always prefer an Iced Latte over Frappe.
The difference in caffeine and calories
Lattes, made with a double espresso shot, offer a concentrated source of caffeine, typically containing 120 to 130 mg in an 8-ounce serving.
The calories in Latte mainly depend on the milk, sugar, and syrups added to it. A simple 8 oz serving of Latte without any sugar or additives has around 90 to 100 calories.
Frappes made with Instant coffee have lower caffeine content, averaging around 50 to 70 mg in a regular serving
However, frappes are more indulgent in terms of calories, with approximately 200 to 300 calories per serving, often due to added sweeteners and flavorings.
Considering caffeine and calorie content, lattes provide a stronger caffeine kick with fewer calories compared to frappes. If you seek a beverage with higher caffeine and lower calorie content, Go For the Latte!
Type of milk and creamers
Frappes often incorporate regular cold-frothed milk, which adds a creamy texture and subtle sweetness to the beverage. Some variations may also include a splash of whipped cream, enhancing the richness and mouthfeel.
And the lattes are typically prepared with steamed or frothed milk, resulting in a velvety and indulgent texture.
The milk used can vary, ranging from whole milk to alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk. Each milk option adds its unique character to the latte, influencing the taste with its creaminess, sweetness, or nutty undertones.
Frappe vs Latte | So what’s Better?
There’s nothing right or wrong when it comes to coffee! Coffee is always a delightful experience.
The final answer depends on individual taste preferences. However, there is another factor to consider: the weather.
In hot weather, the Frappe shines as the go-to choice. Its icy and refreshing nature provides a perfect respite from the heat. The bold coffee flavor with a touch of sweetness creates a delightful and cooling sensation.
When the weather turns colder, the Latte takes the lead. Its creamy texture, milder taste, and comforting warmth make it an ideal choice. The harmonious blend of espresso and milk offers a cozy and satisfying indulgence during chilly days.
For me, the winner is a Latte as it is made with real Coffee, not with the dull and boring Instant coffee powder.
You’ll like to read a comparison of other delicious drinks:
Which is stronger: latte or frappe?
When it comes to the intensity of coffee flavor, lattes take the lead for two key reasons.
First, frappes incorporate ice, which adds water to the mixture and dilutes the coffee flavor to some extent.
Second, lattes are made with intense espresso shots instead of instant coffee, providing a more robust and concentrated coffee taste.
Is a frappe a frozen latte?
No frappe isn’t a Frozen Latte. However, there is a colder version of the Latte known as Iced Latte. Basically, the difference is Frappe is made with Instant coffee and the Iced Latte is made with Espresso Coffee.
Q: Is frappe the same as frappuccino?
No, the “frappuccino” is a trademark drink of Starbucks. Frappuccinos share similarities with Frappes as both are cold coffee drinks.
However, Frappuccino is made with regular brewed coffee or espresso, blended with ice and milk, which gives a thick, smoothie-like texture.
