Latte macchiato glasses

A full latte macchiato consists of a 3 cl espresso, about 20 cl of milk and a layer of foam. So choose a glass that holds at least 34 cl, or it will overflow when the milk is frothed. Most cafés serve it in glasses holding 36 to 38 cl. For a large version or room for whipped cream, look for a 45 to 49 cl glass.

For a latte macchiato glass, shape matters more than capacity. If the glass is twice as tall as it is wide, the layers will have clean lines. The wider it is, the more they will blend together. Next, choose between single-walled and double-walled glass. Double-walled glass has a layer of air between two walls. The outside stays cool, you can hold it without a handle, and your coffee stays warm longer. Single-walled glass is thicker and sturdier, and better able to withstand the daily demands of the hospitality industry. If it has no handle, check whether the glass is tempered. Then it can withstand the shock of hot milk.

Start with the milk, not the coffee. Froth about twenty centiliters of whole milk until you have fine, glossy microfoam with no large bubbles. Pour it into the glass and wait half a minute for the foam and milk to separate. Only then pull your espresso.

Pour the shot slowly into the center, preferably over the rounded back of a spoon or down the side of the glass. If it goes in too fast, the coffee shoots through the milk and you end up with one brown color. Rinse the glass with hot water beforehand, especially in winter. A cold glass draws the heat out of the milk, and then your top layer sinks. Serve it with a long spoon, because a teaspoon won’t reach the bottom. An espresso tonic works the same way, only with ice and tonic instead of milk.

Glasses are most likely to crack when hot milk is poured into a cold glass. Tempered glass, like Duralex, can withstand this much better than regular glass. If it does break, it crumbles into blunt granules rather than sharp shards. For a business where you’re pouring drinks all day, it’s the smartest choice.

Double-walled glasses need a little more care. The seam between the two walls is the weak point. If there’s a small crack, moisture can get in between them. It’s best to wash them by hand or on a short cycle, and let them drain completely with the opening facing down. Milk dries quickly into a dull film. So rinse them with cold water before putting them away. Warm water makes milk proteins stick instead.

Would you like a glass that keeps drinks warm while staying cool on the outside? Then take a look at our double-walled glasses. You can find all our coffee glasses together under coffee glasses. For a smaller size with foam, head to cappuccino glasses. If you drink tea more often, take a look at tea glasses. If you want the same tall style for cold drinks, they’re simply called highball glasses. Coffee with a splash? We have recipes for espresso tonic and Irish coffee ready.