What is a Cortado?

Are you looking for a quick dose of caffeine to fuel your day? Then the cortado is the ideal espresso beverage for you! A cortado (also known as a corto) is a Spanish-style espresso beverage. In its simplest form, a cortado is an espresso cut with a small amount of warm milk, usually a ratio of 4 parts espresso to 1 part milk. This ratio gives it a creamy, velvety texture and a strong, yet slightly sweet taste. As a result, a cortado is much less bitter than a plain espresso, but contains more caffeine than a latte or cappuccino.

History of the Cortado

The cortado is said to have originated in Spain in the early twentieth century, making it one of the oldest espresso beverages. This explains why its name comes from the Spanish word “cortar”, which literally means “to cut”. This word is used to refer to the cutting effect of the added milk on the espresso’s intense flavour. In recent decades, the cortado has become increasingly popular around the world, especially in South America and many European countries.

How to Prepare a Cortado

Making a cortado is quite simple. Start by extracting 30 ml (1 oz) of espresso and pouring it into a small cup. The espresso should be short – as in ristretto – but not too short (as in lungo). Then, add a small amount of steamed milk – usually 15 ml (1/2 oz) – to the espresso. Finally, give it a quick stir to combine the two and enjoy your delicious cup of cortado!

In conclusion, the cortado is a unique espresso beverage that has its roots in Spain. Its creamy, velvety texture and strong, yet slightly sweet taste make it the perfect coffee pick-me-up. As a bonus, it is also quite easy to make! So if you’re in need of a quick caffeine fix, don’t hesitate to give the cortado a try!