Cortado
A cortado is a coffee drink made by combining espresso with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk to soften the espresso’s acidity and bitterness.
A cortado is a small, strong coffee drink made by combining espresso with a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk. The milk “cuts” the espresso’s acidity and bitterness, resulting in a balanced, smooth beverage.
What it is
A cortado is an espresso-based drink where a small amount of warm or lightly steamed milk is added to reduce the coffee’s sharpness. It typically has little or no foam and is served in a small cup or glass. Many descriptions use roughly equal parts espresso and milk, though the exact ratio varies by region and café.
Name and origin
The name comes from the Spanish verb *cortar*, meaning “to cut,” referring to how milk cuts the espresso’s intensity. The drink is commonly associated with Spain, especially the Basque Country, though precise historical details are limited.
How it compares
The cortado is smaller and less milky than a latte, so the espresso flavour remains more prominent. It is distinct from a macchiato in milk amount and texture, and from a flat white in serving size and foam. In Canada, cortados are commonly found in specialty coffee shops, especially in larger cities with strong espresso culture.
In short
- Espresso “cut” with a small amount of warm milk, little foam.
- Name from Spanish *cortar* (“to cut”).
- Originates from Spain, especially the Basque Country.
- Smaller and stronger than a latte; common in Canadian cafés.
Cortados are commonly found in Canadian cafés and specialty coffee shops, especially in larger cities with strong espresso culture.
Quick questions
What is a cortado?
How much milk is in a cortado?
How is a cortado different from a latte?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CortadoSupports: Basic definition, Spanish origin, milk-to-espresso balance, and low-foam preparation.
- Real Academia Española — https://dle.rae.es/cortadoSupports: Spanish dictionary entry confirming the coffee sense of *cortado* and the broader meaning of the term.
- My Coffee Explorer — https://mycoffeeexplorer.com/glossary/cortadoSupports: Name derivation from *cortar*, typical serving style, and common cup size.
- Nescafé — https://www.nescafe.com/in/coffee-culture/knowledge/cortadoSupports: Lightly steamed milk, minimal foam, and origin claims in Spain's Basque Country.
- Barista Magazine — https://www.baristamagazine.com/misunderstood-coffee-drinks-the-cortado/Supports: Equal-parts style, small serving size, and Basque-region origin claim.