Vanilla lattes are one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world.
It’s an undeniably important piece of every coffee shop’s menu, but what exactly does “skinny” mean?
A skinny vanilla latte is a Starbucks latte made with nonfat milk instead of whole milk.
Let’s break the drink down to understand it better!
Table of Contents
What Is A Latte?
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. It’s one of the most basic espresso drinks on the menu at a coffee shop.
It is also one of the most popular.
Latte is an Italian word that means "milk," so a latte is essentially a coffee with a lot of milk. You can drink either hot or cold lattes.
It is traditionally made by combining a single or double shot of espresso with steamed milk and a layer of foam on top.
The ratio of espresso to milk in a latte can vary depending on personal preference and serving size.
Generally, a traditional latte is made with more milk than a cappuccino, which has a higher proportion of foam. A typical latte recipe calls for one or two shots of espresso and 6-8 ounces of steamed milk, with a thin layer of foam on top.
This results in a drink of mostly just milk with a strong espresso flavor.
Depending on the customer's preferences, some baristas may also use more or less foam in their lattes.
The Milk In A Latte
It doesn’t actually matter what kind of milk you use to make a latte.
Espresso-based milk drinks are typically served with full-fat dairy milk, but alternative kinds of milk like soy, almond, and oat milk have become popular in the last few years. Other dairy kinds of milk like nonfat milk or 2% milk.
The process, ingredients, and ratio in a latte don’t change when you change the milk. The only thing that really changes is the taste.
What Is A Vanilla Latte?
A vanilla latte is a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla flavor. And it might be no secret that vanilla lattes are one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world.
Vanilla lattes are similar to regular lattes, but they have a sweeter and more aromatic flavor due to the addition of vanilla.
While a regular latte might be a little bitter and not very sweet because of the espresso shot, a vanilla latte will be sweet, pleasant, and have a distinct vanilla flavor.
You can also sweeten a latte using maple syrup, stevia extract, or some artificial sweetener.
The possibilities are endless.
What Does “Skinny” Mean?
When coffee is described as "skinny," it is made with low-fat or non-dairy milk. It also typically has fewer calories and less sugar than a standard drink version.
For example, a Skinny Vanilla Latte would be made with low-fat milk and may have less sugar than a regular latte made with whole milk.
Note that “skinny” drinks are only really a thing at Starbucks. You can order a Skinny Vanilla Latte at a non-Starbucks coffee shop, and the barista will understand. But they will know that you typically order at Starbucks.
It's important to note that "skinny" drinks are still a source of caffeine and may contain sugar, so it's always a good idea to check the ingredients and nutrition information if you are trying to limit your intake of these substances.
How Healthy Is A Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte?
The healthiness of a Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte will depend on the size of the drink and the specific ingredients used to make it.
A Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte is typically made with non-fat milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup, which can lower calories and fat compared to a regular vanilla latte made with whole milk and regular vanilla syrup.
However, it is still a source of caffeine and may contain added sugars, so it is important to consider your individual nutritional needs and preferences when deciding whether a Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte is a healthy choice for you.
A Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte will have about 140 calories and at least a handful of grams of added sugar.
In general, it is a good idea to choose coffee drinks made with whole, minimally processed ingredients and be mindful of added sugars and syrups.
Consider alternative options if you are trying to limit your intake of caffeine or added sugars.
It is always a good idea to check the ingredient list and nutrition information for any coffee you consider consuming.
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