Breve?! Hmm… What Is A Breve Coffee?

Some days, a hamburger is good enough. Other days, only a filet mignon will suffice. The next time you need a little luxury in your coffee cup, reach for a cafe breve.

This drink made with espresso and half-and-half is the Cadillac of espresso drinks. It is a combination of espresso and steamed half-and-half. The richness of the cream creates a silky-smooth drink to soothe the soul. But, if you’re trying to stick to a low-calorie diet, you might want to skip this one.

In this article, you’ll learn the answer to the question what is a breve. You’ll also learn about some of the many ways to vary this coffee drink as well as how to make one.

The breve latte may have gotten its name because of the nature of half-and-half. Steamed half-and-half does not rise as much as a lower fat milk. A low-fat milk can almost double in height when steamed. So, if you use the same amount of low-fat milk and half-and-half, after steaming, the drink made with half-and-half would be much shorter.

You’ll find this drink mainly in America. It is not as popular as many other espresso drinks. The reason why may be because of the very high fat content. Because of the extra fat, a 16-ounce breve coffee can have more than 600 calories! The same size drink with skim milk would be around 150 calories.

Most people prefer this high-fat drink as an occasional dessert or treat. Unless, of course, you’re a football player.

The offensive linemen on Northwestern University’s football team had their infamous breve-a-day diet. It added to their “bottom line” to help make them an immovable force. In this case, a bigger bottom line is probably not what you’re aiming for.

But you can add richness to any espresso drink by asking for half-and-half instead of milk. You could get a cappuccino with half-and-half, which would be roughly equal parts espresso, steamed half-and-half, and foam. You could also opt for a decadent drink, such as a caramel mocha breve coffee. Please, don’t try this if you’re looking to lose weight!

Here is a special note about using half-and-half. The higher fat content will make a drink much sweeter than its lower fat equivalent. You may find that you can then skip the extra sweetener you usually get. Of course, if you want, you can still get a flavor added. Vanilla seems to go especially well with half-and-half. It’s all about personal choice.

Many places consider the breve latte as a modification to a ‘standard’ latte. So, just ask for a latte and add the word “breve” to it. You can do this with any drink to make it more indulgent.

Breve vs Latte

When thinking about a breve vs latte, the key difference is the type of dairy you use. Simply put, the cafe breve is a latte made with half-and-half instead of milk.

Again, you can add the word “breve” to almost any espresso drink. But when used alone, it usually refers to a drink with a shot or two of espresso, anywhere from eight to 15 ounces of half-and-half, with a thin layer of foam on top.

The Bean

Perhaps the most important part of making the best coffee drink is to start with high-quality beans. If you didn’t roast them yourself, you want to buy them as soon after roasting as possible. You also want to use it immediately after grinding. If you don’t, you can guarantee that the drink will be sub-par.

The Espresso

Next, make your espresso. There are many types of home espresso makers available. Choose one that fits your space and your budget.

The Steam

When steaming, start with very cold half-and-half. Room-temperature half-and-half will not froth as well. Also, you’ll get the best results if you steam the liquid in a metal milk jug. Be sure to not over-fill the jug. The half-and-half will expand some as a result of steaming.

The easiest way to steam dairy products is with a steaming wand. Many espresso machines have a built-in steaming wand. You can use a stand-along frothing wand, but the texture will be different than with a proper steam wand.

For a latte, you don’t want a lot of foam. You will create the most foam when the steaming tip is at or close to the surface. So, for steamed half-and-half without too much foam, keep the tip about 1/4-inch below the surface. To get the best consistency, tilt the milk jug so that the liquid swirls around. This will give a nice texture to the finished product. To be afraid to experiment to get the proper placement.

The Pour

Once you have put the espresso into the serving mug, pour the half-and-half in. Hold back the foam with a spoon while you’re pouring. After you’ve poured the amount you want, you can top the drink off with a dollop or two of the foam.

If you plan to frequently make these at home, you might want to invest in some glass mugs. They make a lovely display when serving guests. Seeing the three layers–coffee, half-and-half, and foam–somehow seems to make the drink taste even better.

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