"Please Don't Order It Like This," Part-Time Workers Cry... A Boiling-Hot "Lava Latte" Ruins the Taste [Tasty Facts]

The ideal temperature for steamed milk in lattes during the "winter peak season"
We asked Starbucks, A Twosome Place, Paul Bassett and Terarosa

'Grinder hell in summer, steam hell in winter'

'It's nice to have one menu for group orders, but please don't make us standardize hot lattes'

Recently, comments posted on social media by cafe owners and part-time workers caught our attention. As the season for hot lattes returns and cafes get busier, they have been lamenting the difficulty of steaming milk at the steam wand. This reflects the growing number of consumers seeking lattes. Have you ever come in from the cold, taken a sip of coffee made with warm milk, and felt the warmth spread through your body?

As temperatures drop sharply in winter, more consumers seek hot drinks at cafes. Some even ask for coffee "as hot as lava," we hear. But latte drinks can be difficult to serve at such temperatures. In this Foodie X-Files, we look at the secrets behind latte temperatures and what makes a "delicious latte," drawing on information from four premium and specialty coffee brands: Starbucks, A Twosome Place, Paul Bassett and Terarosa.

Steamed milk is kept at around 60-70 degrees... 15-30 degrees below Americano

According to industry sources on November 15, the increase in latte consumption during winter is borne out by the numbers.

A look at A Twosome Place's cafe latte sales data shows that average sales from November last year through January this year were about 19% higher than the average sales from February to October last year. Paul Bassett also says cafe latte sales are about 10% higher than the annual average during the colder winter months of November through January. Starbucks says that while cafe latte sales alone do not show a significant seasonal difference, the overall latte category, which includes cafe lattes made with steamed milk, accounts for a larger share of sales in winter (November through January) than in other seasons.

Steamed milk, a key ingredient, is what makes winter a peak season for latte drinks. Steamed milk contains fat and protein, which help warm the body and provide a feeling of fullness, making it a popular choice among consumers in winter. It goes down smoothly and seems to stay warm for longer. Seasonal drinks made with various syrups and powders have also been delighting consumers' taste buds. The temperature of the steamed milk plays a major role in all this.

We looked at the temperatures the four brands use for the steamed milk in their lattes. Starbucks says it typically steams milk to 66-77 degrees Celsius, a range set to produce the best taste with its specialized equipment. At customers' request, it can serve milk at 54 degrees for a "less hot" drink or 77 degrees for an "extra hot" one. A Twosome Place says it steams milk at 60-70 degrees. Paul Bassett and Terarosa say they steam milk to 65 degrees for their latte drinks.

For comparison, Starbucks and Terarosa serve hot Americanos at 90-95 degrees Celsius, A Twosome Place at 80-90 degrees, and Paul Bassett at 85 degrees. In most cases, that is about 15-30 degrees hotter than the steamed milk used in lattes.

Each company sets its own temperature, taking into account the characteristics of milk, including its protein and lactose content, so that it blends well with espresso while retaining the milk's smoothness and sweetness. An industry source noted, "Heating milk above the appropriate temperature can damage its characteristic flavor and give it an unpleasant, milky smell. It can also cause more of the proteins in the milk to coagulate, making it feel more watery than creamy and taste bland."

For this reason, all four companies said they keep the temperature the same year-round rather than raising it in winter. Depending on the company, however, they may heat steamed milk to 70-80 degrees if a customer asks for a hotter drink.

Using milk specially made for lattes is now the trend

The taste of a latte depends not only on the milk's temperature but also on the type of milk used. Starbucks, A Twosome Place and Terarosa use milk developed in collaboration with dairy companies. Paul Bassett says it uses products from Maeil Dairies, a company in the same corporate group.

Each brand's specially developed milk is likely to have its own characteristics. Starbucks said, "We use milk with a fat content that meets our standards," adding that "the standard for regular milk is 3.3% fat." A Twosome Place says it uses milk optimized for its recipes to bring out the flavor and characteristics of its coffee beans. Terarosa explained, "We selected milk based on whether the blend's distinctive aroma and flavor remain clear when mixed with espresso."

These days, companies offer a range of options to suit different consumer preferences, including low-fat, fat-free, soy, oat and lactose-free milk, in addition to regular milk. Industry sources say they generally recommend regular milk over low-fat or fat-free milk for cafe lattes, because its relatively higher fat content brings out milk's characteristic creamy, nutty flavor and sweetness.

What makes a delicious latte?

By now, you may be wondering what makes a "delicious latte." Each company works hard to serve the best cafe latte for its customers. We asked all four what they believe makes a delicious latte.

Starbucks emphasized, "Well-steamed milk is the most important thing. Since a latte contains more milk than espresso, the taste is determined by steamed milk with a glossy, smooth foam and a noticeable sweetness. The barista's care and skill play an important role in this." A Twosome Place, Paul Bassett and Terarosa all highlighted the harmony between coffee and milk. A Twosome Place said, "Consumers who choose an Americano want a clean coffee taste. A cafe latte, on the other hand, should let you enjoy a smooth, rich flavor, with the coffee and milk complementing each other without overpowering one another."

Paul Bassett said, "Good ingredients, preparation methods that bring out the best in each ingredient, and harmony among the ingredients are important. Even excellent coffee cannot show its natural appeal if the milk lacks flavor. Conversely, even good milk cannot make a good latte if its taste and aroma do not harmonize with the coffee." Terarosa explained, "It's important to use the right proportion of coffee and milk in each latte, steam the milk to a smooth, fine texture, and maintain the right temperature."

Cold weather has arrived, with morning lows falling below freezing. This weekend, we recommend stopping by a cafe for a warm, filling cafe latte made to suit your taste.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.