The name comes from the Spanish word cortar, meaning to cut, which refers to the preparation process.
What is cortado?
A cortado is a mixture of espresso and steamed milk. It is a one-to-one ratio of espresso and steamed milk. At a coffee shop, ordering a cortado means you will get about two ounces of espresso and two ounces of milk. Cortado comes from the Spanish verb cortar which means ‘’cut’’ in Spanish, as the espresso is typically cut with steamed milk. Cortado is delicious with a morning pastry or with afternoon snacks. A traditional cortado is unsweetened. But the Cuban version of a cortado is the best for a sweeter cortado drink called Cortadito.
This Cuban version is the perfect drink for someone who wants that balance of milk and espresso with more sweetness. Cortado is different from other drinks that combine espresso and milk. It is all about ratio. If you order a cortado, you must know the ratio of that drink.
Is cortado stronger than cappuccino?
A cortado contains two simple ingredients such as a shot of espresso and a lightly steamed layer of milk. The milk steamed to see a little line of foam at the top. But this is not quite enough for a foam mustache. The cortado is made with a 1:1 ratio of espresso and milk. In cortado, the milk cuts the bold espresso flavor and tones down the acidity. Cortados are traditionally served in a small glass.
On the other hand, cappuccino is one of the most popular drinks all over the world. The cappuccino contains three equal ingredients:⅓ espressos, ⅓ steamed milk, and ⅓ milk foam. The cappuccino is popular for its foamy milk, perfect for making incredible latte art and milk mustaches. Chocolate, cinnamon, and cream make cappuccino delicious treats and take this drink to the next level.
The cordato is a higher-acidity drink. But the cappuccino is much sweeter than cordato. A cordato is made with little to no foam. But cappuccinos are super foamy and it is popular for their foamy mustache. They both contain one shot of espresso, which is around 40 milligrams of caffeine. But the most important thing is how the milk is prepared, as it can only be steamed milk. If these two factors are incorrect, they can not be recognized as a ‘’cortado’’. So, a cortado is a much stronger coffee than a cappuccino.
How many shots are in a cortado?
There are two shots in a cortado. In a coffee shop, a cortado is served with a double shot. In the traditional Spanish way, cortados are served in a glass with a metal ring base and a metal wire handle.
Cortado recipe
If you want a drink with a strong amount of espresso with a nice balance of smooth steamed milk, a cordato is an excellent option. It is a simple recipe to make and fun to drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 shots of espresso
- 2-3 ounces of steamed milk
- 17 grams of ground espresso
- 4 ounce cortados glass
Method:
- Take about 17 ounces of espresso coffee and grind.
- Pour 3 ounces of milk into the milk pitcher.
- Extract 2 shots of espresso into a glass.
- While espresso is extracting, steam your milk. Make sure there is no foam. Milk should be only a little hot to the touch.
- Slowly pour milk into the espresso and enjoy a strong cup of cortado.
Many coffee lovers have become increasingly obsessed with cordato for its simple structure and rich flavor. They are served in a traditional way with small glasses made of metal. Usually, it’s not decorated with foam art and this is because the cortado isn’t necessarily about presentation or flair but harmony between flavors.
*** Original Article by Damian (https://coffeewithdamian.com/)