Great things come in small packages
The Piccolo Latte, what is this little drink we have seen popping up on cafe menu's? This small but mighty little beverage has grown in popularity over the last 10 years but what exactly is it and what is all the fuss about?
As the Italian word Piccolo suggests, this drink is small but you shouldn't underestimate it. The genius of a Piccolo Latte is that this drink is based on a Ristretto shot of coffee. A Ristretto is an extraction of espresso that produces about 15-20mls of liquid. This is the best of the best when it comes to espresso extractions, smooth & full bodied yet misses out on the acidity that is apparent with longer extractions.
So to make our 'Small' Latte all that is required is one Ristretto shot of coffee, and approximately 100mls of steamed and textured milk. These are served in a demitasse cup or glass usually due to their petite size.
This begs the question, what is all the fuss about? They are tiny after all! Well for those of us who enjoy frequent top ups with out favourite caffeinated drink, the Piccolo Latte allows us to enjoy the sublime flavours of Ristretto and Milk without filling us up. Perfect if you want a little coffee hit after a meal, or you like to have many drinks throughout the day but a large milky drink each time is just a bit much.
So next time you are in line at your local coffee shop give one a try & let us know what you make of it.