If you thought lattes were creamy, wait until you get a sip of a breve. A breve is coffee luxury at its finest. This rich, velvety drink is a guilty pleasure for those who like to add a little, or a lot, of cream to their coffee.
But exactly what is a breve? This is a question I get asked a lot. And one I had to explain to my mom after I discovered they were her new coffee routine despite not knowing what they were. Oh, mom.
Read on to find out more about café breves and why they are so sinfully delicious.
WHAT IS A BREVE?
A breve is a specialty coffee drink made with espresso and half-and-half. Swapping out milk for cream gives breves an extravagantly rich taste and silky texture.
Italian for “short”, a breve is also referred to as a café breve, breve coffee, or breve latte. Order one by any of these names, and you’ll get the same beverage. However, ratios are likely to vary.
While Italian may be in the name, this drink is very much an American version of a latte. A much more plush version that is.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A LATTE AND A BREVE?
Lattes are widely popular among the coffee-drinking crowd. Walk into any coffee shop with an espresso machine, and I bet you’ll find latte on their list.
While breves certainly have their own fan base, they aren’t your typical go-to coffee order. This is most likely due to their fat content.
Lattes are made with espresso and milk. Unless specified, the milk used is typically whole milk. This is around 3.5 percent milk fat. This is much lighter than breves.
A breve is made with half-and-half which is a mixture of cream and milk. This means the fat content is much heavier – about 10 percent or more. The higher fat content is what makes breves a delectably creamy, full-bodied espresso drink.
Milk content aside, you’ll also see more variations of a latte than a breve. Variations like vanilla lattes, caramel lattes, and pumpkin spiced lattes, just to name a few.
Breves, on the other hand, are already rich enough. Most people drink them as is rather than add flavoring to them.
WHAT DOES A BREVE MEAN AT STARBUCKS?
From coffee cup sizes to specialty drinks, Starbucks is well known for having its own coffee lingo. This means, if you want the right drink, you better talk Starbucks.
The good news is the breve we’re talking about is pretty simple to order at Starbucks. All you need to do is ask the barista for a breve latte. That’s it.
When you get your cup, you’ll see a ‘B’ on the side, which stands for breve. Not much of a secret menu item, is it?
The real secret lies in the word breve. See, you can make any drink at Starbucks a breve because this B-word is code for half-and-half. Want a cappuccino or mocha made with half-and-half? Just add the word breve to it, and you got it.
Just don’t ask for simply a breve. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with a steamed cup full of nothing but half-and-half.
WHAT IS A BREVE FROM DUTCH BROS?
The coffee pros over at Dutch Bros. know the breve by a different name. Order a breve at one of their establishments, and you’ll get a velvety cappuccino made with half-and-half.
While this is similar to a breve latte, it means a world of difference for frothy foam lovers. The richness of half-and-half foam adds the right amount of creaminess to a bold espresso shot without heavily diluting it.
This coffee creation is ideal for drip coffee lovers who like a strong and bitter cup with a spoonful of heavy whipping cream.
If you’re in the mood for sampling a breve with a sweet twist, try their Golden Eagle. This is a breve with vanilla syrup and a drizzle of caramel sauce topped with whipped cream. Now that’s luxury!
HOW TO MAKE A BREVE AT HOME
Don’t feel like waiting in line at the coffee shop? Make a breve at home instead.
Homemade breves aren’t that much different than making homemade lattes. Like a latte, they only require two ingredients: half-and-half and espresso. But like any new recipe, it will take some practice to perfectly craft.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be lapping up breves in no time.
1. STEAM HALF-AND-HALF
Grab your half-and-half straight from the fridge and then pour it into a milk steaming pitcher. Cold half-and-half is vital to creating the texture of a breve as warm half-and-half won’t foam well.
Next, position the steam wand so it’s immersed just enough that all the steam holes are covered. Then steam the half-and-half until it reaches about 150°F. You’ll want to use a milk thermometer to keep an eye on it.
2. PULL ESPRESSO SHOTS
Pull a shot of espresso into your coffee cup. If you want a stronger beverage, pull two shots.
3. POUR INTO YOUR CUP
Using a spoon to hold back the foam, slowly pour your half-and-half on top of the espresso. Once you’ve poured the desired amount, top with foam.
If you’re going for a Starbucks-style breve, you’ll want to use less foam. For a Dutch Bros. style breve, you’ll want to use lots of foam.
Enjoy!
ARE BREVE LATTES BAD FOR YOU?
Ok, I know what you’ve been thinking. Breves sound amazing, but isn’t all that cream bad for you? The truth is they aren’t the healthiest of drinks. Like I said before, they have more fat than your typical milk and espresso coffee drinks. They’re also higher in cholesterol.
As for calories, those will cost you. According to MyFitnessPal, a 12-ounce breve from Starbucks has a whopping 426 calories, 37 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbs. So it’s probably best to drink these coffee beverages sparingly.
The good news is breves aren’t as sugary as your favorite flavored latte. But that’s not saying a whole lot else in the way of health. If you want a healthier alternative, try a skinny latte instead. This is like your standard latte, except with nonfat milk instead of whole milk. The caloric and fat content will be significantly lower than a breve.
CONCLUSION
Breves are a super creamy, rich espresso drink that tastes like heaven. But they aren’t the healthiest coffee option so they’re best consumed in moderation.
Made from half-and-half and espresso, you can order a velvety breve from your favorite coffee chain. Just be sure to call it a breve latte. If you’re feeling fancy, try playing barista and whip one up at home instead. It’s a nice treat to top off any long day.
