How to identify a cortado coffee?

Coffee lovers probably can differentiate American coffee from a cortado without any problems, but if you don’t know it yet, you might be missing out on a delight you can try at your favorite café, or even prepare at home if you have the right tools or know the appropriate tricks.What is a cortado coffee?A cortado coffee is originally from Spain and consists of an espresso cut with a little milk, in order to reduce the acidity of the coffee. Generally, the milk is added afterward, heated and frothed with steam, and in equal parts to the coffee. Since the taste of the milk is already sweet and its purpose is to cut the acidity of the coffee, it is consumed without extra sweeteners.Why is it called cortado coffee?Although there is no source that confirms why this coffee is called cortado, the logical and most probable explanation is that its name comes from the fact that the milk cuts the bitter flavor that a strong coffee, like espresso, can have. It is worth mentioning that in some places it is called cortado con leche, to differentiate it from a cortado with water, which only implies more foam from the espresso itself.How is a cortado coffee made?To prepare a cortado coffee, you first need to make an espresso, that is, a very concentrated coffee, and then add steamed milk in the same measure. This coffee is usually served in small portions.According to the Bon Vivant Caffe blog, to make it at home, Italian presses are usually used to make the espresso, and although baristas froth the milk with steam, the homemade version is more relaxed and can be added cold and without foam, just in the same ratio as the coffee.Finally, the difference between a cortado coffee and an espresso is simply the addition of hot, frothy milk to sweeten it a bit and soften the strong flavor of the coffee. So now that you know it, don’t hesitate to try it at your favorite café or make it at home. And if you are a coffee lover, discover here 4 key differences between a latte and a cappuccino.