Cortado
Overview
Make it with us
Espresso · Cortado
Behind every step
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Start here
1Espresso
0:0518 g in · 36 g out · 93 °C
See the steps
- Weigh beans — Weigh out the beans — fresh, not pre-ground.
- Grind — Grind fine, straight into the portafilter.
- Distribute — Distribute the grounds level in the basket.
- Tamp — Tamp level — one confident press.
- Pull the shot — Aim for ~36 g out in 25–30 s. Stop on blond.
- Enjoy — Drink it now — crema and all.
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2Steam milk
0:15Steaming does two jobs: it heats the milk and it folds in air as microscopic bubbles. Keep the wand tip just under the surface for the first few seconds to stretch, then sink it to roll the milk into glossy, wet-paint microfoam — big bubbles mean the tip stayed too high. Stop around 60–65 °C; past 70 °C the milk sugars scald and the sweetness is gone.
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3Pour milk
0:10Cortado means 'cut': the warm milk takes the edge off the espresso without hiding it. Keep the ratio near 1:1 — more milk and it becomes a small latte.
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4Enjoy
0:10Coffee keeps changing as it cools: aromatics fade, acidity sharpens and sweetness comes forward. Drink it soon after brewing, and taste it as it drops in temperature — that's how you learn what to adjust next time.
What a Cortado is
The Cortado is built on Espresso: 18 g of coffee, brewed at 93 °C. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk. The Cortado's milk is steamed to about 58 °C.
Cortado — frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Americano?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Americano takes 150 g of hot water.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Cappuccino?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Cappuccino takes 150 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Flat White?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Flat White takes 160 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Iced Americano?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Iced Americano takes 120 g of cold water over ice.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Latte?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Latte takes 220 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Long Black?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Long Black takes 110 g of hot water.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Macchiato?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Macchiato takes 40 ml of steamed milk.
What's the difference between the Cortado and the Mocha?
Both start from the same Espresso. The Cortado takes 60 ml of steamed milk; the Mocha takes 180 ml of steamed milk.
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