What is a Breve Coffee?
Cafe menus can be a little confusing, especially if you are a coffee beginner. Cafe breve is one of the most confusing options in various cafe menus. So, what is a breve coffee? What is its top selling point and is it worth all the hype?
Did You Pronounce It Correctly?
Have you ever been in a situation where you desperately need to try something new on the menu but you lack the confidence to order it because you are afraid of pronouncing it wrong?
Next time you visit the coffee shop just say bréve. Stress the first syllable than pronounce the final ‘e’. More like Breh-Vay.
Breve, also known as café breve or breve latte, is an espresso-based hot coffee drink. Essentially, it is an American version of the famous Italian cappuccino which is made with half-and-half instead of regular milk. For the inexperienced coffee enthusiast playing at home to expand their repertoire, half-and-half is a mix of whole cream and milk.
A café breve is a combination of either one or two shots of espresso and steamed, frothed half-and-half. Any classic espresso-based drink, whether it’s latte, cappuccino or mocha with the name ‘breve’ added to it has its milk part replaced with half-and-half, making it richer, creamier and more viscous. Breve is usually served in a standard cappuccino cup.
The name Breve is also used in the music and phonics fields. In Italian, breve means ‘short.’ This does not imply that the drink comes in a small cup. Its serving varies in different coffee shops but traditionally, it is served in a cappuccino cup.
Also, although the ingredients for a breve remain the same, different coffee shops may have distinctive methods of preparation. Some may froth the creamy milk nice and thick like they would for a cappuccino while others may foam and blend it smooth and velvety.
Many people love to have breve in the evening as a dessert, but you can have it as your morning coffee if you like. It doesn’t hurt to have a different coffee culture.
Breve Coffee vs. Latte?
A latte breve is slightly different than a café latte. The primary difference between the two drinks is that a breve latte is made with half-and-half while a latte is made with milk or milk foam.
Moreover, you can make a latte with any kind of milk, be it soy, oat, almond, or cow’s milk as long as it is steamed, smooth and velvety. A breve, on the other hand, needs half-and-half for an authentic taste. You won’t achieve the brew’s true taste if you go light on the half-and-half or create a cream and milk blend with less than 10% fat.
A breve offers the ultimate luxurious coffee experience. It is a sweet and creamy drink that doesn’t need extra sugar if done right.
How to Make Breve Coffee
You deserve the best recipe for making breve at home because you are proactive about getting out of your regular coffee’ comfort zone. To make breve:
- Brew the espresso shot on your espresso machine, moka pot, or aeropress. Use dark roast coffee and filtered water. Check out my roundup post on the Best Coffee in Kenya for great dark roasts to try.
- Warm the half-n-half in a milk pan or sauce pan over medium low heat. Do not let it boil. If you have an espresso machine use the steam wnd to steam the half-n-half.
Froth the half-n-half in a large mug, jug or jar. Use the whisk to make foam from the hot half-and-half. Hold it loosely between your palms then rub it back and forth quickly for the best results. You may also use a handheld frother or your machine’s steam wand to make foam and get a velvety texture.
Set the foam aside in a different measuring cup and continue whisking until the foam is 1/3 cup full.
Pour the espresso into the serving cup. Pour in the remaining hot cream then add the foam on top with a spoon. Serve when hot.
Quick Pro Tip
- As a beginner, you may find an espresso machine too steep an investment. Consider getting a Moka pot or aeropress for high-quality espresso. An aeropress is easier to work with than a Moka pot and it will make a strong coffee concentrate that is good enough for cafe breve and other homemade lattes.
Final thoughts
What is a breve coffee? A breve coffee is the next best thing you need to expand your coffee repertoire. Just remember to say breve latte or breve cappuccino next time you visit Starbucks. You can also follow the recipe in the article to make yourself a delicious hot cup of breve from the comfort of your home.
FAQ
Is Breve a hot or cold drink?
Traditionally, Breve is a hot espresso-based drink but you can vary it to your liking and serve it cold. The cold version is often served with ice cubes.
How many calories are in a cup of breve coffee?
A breve definitely has a higher calorie content than a regular latte or cappuccino because half-and-half is richer than whole milk. One serving of whole milk which 240 ml or 8fl oz. contains about 150 to 160 calories. On the other hand, one serving of half-and-half contains 320 calories.
A breve contains twice as many calories as a traditional latte or cappuccino. You don’t want to make a breve your daily dose of coffee if you are concerned about a high-calorie intake, unless you are one of those active low-carb diet metahumans who do 40+ mile bike rides every morning.
Breve Coffee
Equipment
- A measuring cup
- A metal whisk, frother, or steam wand on the espresso machine
- A large mug, jug, or jar
- Espresso shot glass
- A coffee mug for serving
- A milk pan or saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 shot of hot brewed espresso (⅓ cup)
- ½ cup half-n-half cream
- ¼ tsp cinnamon or cocoa (optional)
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather the equipment.
- Brew a shot of espresso in an espresso machine or moka pot with dark roast coffee and filtered water.
- Heat the half-n-half in a milk pan or saucepan gently over medium-low heat.
- Pour the half-n-half into a large mug, jug or jar. Use the whisk, hand frother, or steam wand to froth the half-n-half until it is creamy with a velvety texture
- Set the foam aside in a different measuring cup and continue whisking until the foam is 1/3 cup full.
- Pour the espresso into the serving cup. Pour in the remaining hot cream, then add the foam on top with a spoon.
- Sprinkle the cafe breve with cinnamon or cocoa for extra flavor. Serve when hot.