Lovers of specialty coffee have a wide range of beverages to choose from, but with so many selections and subtle differences, it can be difficult to distinguish one drink from another. This is especially true of cappuccinos and lattes, which share similarities when it comes to ingredients. Here's a closer look at each to boost your basic barista knowledge.

Cappuccino

This coffee shop staple consists of carefully layered espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Two shots of espresso are added first, which is followed by the steamed milk. Frothy foamed milk is added last as a finishing touch. 

In terms of flavors, cappuccinos have a more potent coffee taste than lattes. They also require a special balance of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy milk foam to achieve the perfect concoction. Most cappuccinos are made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foamed milk. Some talented baristas can even create artwork and patterns on the top of the drink by carefully adding milk foam. 

Latte

Like cappuccinos, lattes also contain espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. The difference lies in the balance of the steamed and foamed milk, as lattes contain a higher concentration of the former. That means the drink is less coffee-forward, thanks to the larger portion of silky steamed milk. 

The espresso and steamed milk are also fully mixed, which reduces the potent flavor of the specialty coffee. Milk foam is added at the end, in a much smaller amount than in a cappuccino. Many coffee shops can also add flavoring to their lattes, such as vanilla or mocha. 

When seeking fine specialty coffee in Lakeville, MN, Tapestry Coffee has a wide selection of expertly crafted beverages. They roast their own beans in-house and make it a point to source ingredients from local farms and vendors. In addition to their innovative coffee drinks containing ingredients like orange cream, lavender, and matcha, they also offer tasty sandwiches and salads made from fresh ingredients. Check out their menu online to see the amazing selection or call (952) 985-7650 for more information.