Adding a little bit of cream to coffee is something we love doing as passionate coffee lovers. There’s something about a creamy hot beverage in the mornings to help us wake up that just makes our days better, don’t you agree?
We’re glad to share with you that such a drink exists, and it’s called a breve.
But you may be wondering, what is a breve? And what is the best recipe for a breve?
In a few words, it is an American version of a regular latte; a breve drink is much creamier than an espresso drink with milk but there’s more to it. In this blog post, we will be talking about the differences
Also known as the ‘dessert latte’, a breve is a real delicious treat; it is a latte made with half-and-half cream instead of milk. Since half-and-half is half milk and half light cream, it has a higher butterfat content which gives it a richer, creamier taste and feel.
Follow our classic cafe breve recipe below and try it for yourself!
Let’s learn exactly what a breve coffee is before we get to the recipe. Keep on reading!
What is a breve?
Breve is short for caffè breve; the word breve comes from an Italian word and it can be translated as short, brief, or concise. This coffee beverage is also known as breve latte, cafè breve, latte breve, or breve coffee.
We said before that a breve is an Americanized caffe latte, so “breve latte” is most likely the easiest way to order this drink next time you are at your local coffee shop. A breve is a coffee drink based on espresso; it usually has one or two shots of espresso with added steamed half-and-half, instead of whole milk which is common in latte drinks. A breve has a tasty layer of frothed milk foam on top and, traditionally, a caffè latte is served unsweetened but we won’t say anything if you add some sugar to it.
What is the main difference between a latte and a breve?
The main difference between a traditional latte and a latte breve is the dairy products used in these drinks. Basically, a latte is made with steamed milk, typically whole milk, and an espresso shot, although some prefer a double shot of espresso. On the other hand, a breve is pretty similar in the sense that it is espresso-based too, but instead of milk, it is steamed half-and-half.
For those who are not familiar with the term half-and-half, it is a blend of half whole milk and half light cream. Since half-and-half includes a higher percentage of fat, up to 12% fat in its content, it creates a delicious addition to your morning coffee.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces espresso
- 10 ounces half-and-half
Tools
Espresso brewer
Milk frother or a whisk and a glass
Small saucepan
Instructions
- Pour the espresso into the mug.
- Over medium heat, warm the half-and-half in the small saucepan until very hot but not boiling.
- Froth the half-and-half 20-30 seconds until you have a medium thick froth with no bubbles.
- Holding back the foam with a spoon, pour the half-and-half into the mug with the espresso.
- Finally, spoon the remaining foam on top.
How To Serve
Serve in a medium ceramic or glass mug.
Tips
- For best results, pre-warm the mug under hot water to keep your breve warm longer.
- Add cold half-and-half instead of hot for the ‘iced’ version of a breve, as well as some ice cubes.
- Sprinkle chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or even a small strawberry on top to complete this dessert drink.
How to make the best shot of espresso?
To make the perfect espresso, the most important thing you need to pay attention to is the coffee ground size, which in this case, your coffee grounds need to be really fine. Here are the steps to making your espresso shot for a great breve.
1. Grind and measure your beans. We recommend dark roast coffee beans. Normally, a single espresso shot requires something between 6 and 8 grams of coffee grounds. Make sure your coffee beans are powdery and fine.
2. Distribute your coffee grounds. Put your coffee grounds in your portafilter and distribute them evenly, and use the tamper to tamp down the grounds.
3. Pull your shot. Lock the portafilter into your machine, place your cup underneath, and start your shot.
4.For a strong coffee you can make a double shot of espresso.
Now you are ready to add your espresso shot to your delicious homemade breve drink.
What are the best coffee beans for making a breve?
Before milk and other additives, coffee beans are what make a coffee taste just good or amazing. No matter how tasty other ingredients are, the quality of your coffee beans always plays the most important role.
Having said that, in order to make a nice combination with milk, we recommend mild coffee beans; Arabica coffee beans are the safer bet; for example, Brazilian, Guatemalan, or Ethiopian coffee beans will work best. A light roast will enhance the flavor of the half-and-half, but some people prefer the bolder taste a darker roast offers.
Are café breve drinks healthy?
Caffè breve is the perfect drink for those who prefer “fluffy”, creamy foam. However, it’s important to note that the breve drink has a higher fat content and cholesterol than standard latte drinks, even if lattes use regular milk. It’s important to have this information in case you are trying to reduce your cholesterol levels; of course, drinking it once in a while won’t affect your overall cholesterol levels, but it can have a significant effect if you drink it every day.
If you are looking for a healthier option, it would be best to leave breves for special occasions, drink a smaller serving size, or simply choose another of the many popular drinks that have less fat, such as a classic latte. You can also replace whole milk with low-fat milk or even a dairy alternative such as soy milk or cashew milk. These milk alternatives taste different from standard milk, but they have fewer calories and are delicious in their own way.
Fun Facts
- National Espresso Day is November 23rd
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