I’d never heard of a piccolo coffee before I came to Australia. Soon, I became a huge fan and wanted to know how to make one at home. If you’ve been curious about what a piccolo coffee is or where you can learn how to Make A Piccolo Coffee, you’re in luck.
Back away from the computer, open a fresh tab in your browser, and get ready to be blown away by piccolos. Make preparations to sit back, relax, and grab that last cup of ordinary coffee because you’ll want to continue making piccolos from here on out. I’ll go through all of the necessary details as well as how to brew piccolo coffee.
What exactly is a Piccolo Coffee?
A tiny coffee is a single ristretto shot poured into a 90ml glass and then topped up with steamed milk. The end product is a little, powerful beverage with more coffee than milk. A piccolo may also be referred to as a piccolo latte.
What exactly is piccolo coffee, and what does the term “piccolo” imply? The phrase “piccolo latte,” “piccolo coffee,” or simply “piccolo” refers to the same beverage. The words may be used interchangeably.
It’s unclear how long the piccolo has been in Australia, but it’s supposed to have originated in Sydney. It is claimed that coffee merchants created the drink as a method to sample their brew throughout the day without overdoing it on dairy or caffeine. This makes sense, given that a piccolo latte is basically a large cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
But what exactly is a Piccolo Latte?
A little milk is frothed, then brewed with ground coffee. The resulting drink is called a piccolo latte and tastes much the same as a normal latte. In Italian, piccolo refers to tiny, so a piccolo latte is simply another name for a piccolo coffee.
What exactly is a Ristretto Shot?
The ristretto shot is made with the same amount of coffee as a normal espresso shot but half the amount of water, resulting in a smaller, more powerful drop. In Italian, “ristretto” means “short.”
The coffee begins the presentation with significantly less water! The end result is a more powerful, stronger taste than an espresso shot.
Piccolo Coffee vs Cortado
When trying to comprehend new varieties of coffee, I often find it useful to compare the new beverage to something else. Let’s look at how piccolo coffee and cortado compare:
Ristretto shots are used in both piccolos and cortados. The quantities of the beverages and the proportions between espresso and milk differ. A piccolo latte/coffee has one ristretto shot, but more espresso than milk. This produces a stronger taste than a cortado, which contains two ristretto shots and an equal quantity of milk. The stronger the coffee flavour, the less amount milk is used. More milk inhibits the acidity in the coffee drink.
Piccolo vs Latte
The most notable distinction between a piccolo latte and a regular latte is the fact that a normal latte does not contain a ristretto shot. A conventional latte is served in a larger glass or cup and isn’t as powerful as a piccolo latte.
The distinctions between the two are simple to remember: you’re more likely to see individuals drinking lattes from coffee shops and walking about with them in a cardboard cup. Piccolos are frequently consumed in small 90ml glasses at home. Have you ever seen someone carrying a piccolo latte around?
Piccolo Recipe
To make piccolo lattes, follow these steps:
- For your piccolo, brew a ristretto shot (about 15g) — whether you’re using espresso or ground your own beans, a traditional fine grind is required. Use a smooth grind instead.
- Pour your chosen milk into a piccolo cup, steam it if necessary (you’re working with a smaller glass than a normal latte and will want mostly milk, not foam), and enjoy! A piccolo is generally prepared with cow’s milk. Given the recent popularity of dairy alternatives, you might consider using something different. I’m a lover of oat milk and coconut, both of which I believe are creamier than almond or cashew milk. If you prefer cow’s milk, go with that; it will almost certainly be the most delicious!
- Get a 90ml glass of your choosing – the cuter the better!
- Pour the espresso into the glass, enjoy it, and pour with some elegance!
- Fill the rest of the glass with your favourite steamed milk.
That’s how to make piccolo lattes! Feel free to admire your work, take a whiff, and smile. Sip slowly – you’ve earned it!
