Cortado

Cortado is a popular espresso-based coffee beverage originating from Spain. The term 'cortado' is derived from the Spanish verb 'cortar', which means 'to cut'. In the context of coffee, it refers to the practice of 'cutting' the strong, concentrated flavor of espresso with an equal amount of warm milk.

History

The cortado is believed to have originated in the Basque Country of Spain. It quickly gained popularity across the country and later spread to Portugal, Latin America, and eventually to coffee shops around the world.

Preparation

A cortado is typically prepared by combining equal parts of espresso and warm milk. The milk used in a cortado is usually steamed, but not frothy and "texturized" as in many Italian coffee drinks. This results in a coffee beverage with a strong, robust flavor that is balanced by the creaminess of the milk.

Variations

There are several variations of the cortado, including the Gibraltar in the United States, the Piccolo latte in Australia, and the Pingo in Portugal. Each of these variations adjusts the ratio of coffee to milk, or the type of milk used, to create a unique flavor profile.

See also

• List of coffee drinks
• Espresso
• Café con leche
• Flat white