If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you likely know what a latte or an espresso is. But, have you heard of a breve coffee?
If you love your espresso with a rich, creamy taste, you may want to add breve to your list of coffee drinks to try.
In this article, we’re going to look at exactly what is breve coffee, how to make it, and more.
Let’s get started.
What is a Breve?
A breve is an espresso-based drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed half-and-half.
It’s an Americanized variation of the latte that’s richer, creamier, and thicker than the standard latte.
A breve is typically served as a dessert beverage, but it can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
What is a Breve at Starbucks?
At Starbucks, the term breve means half-and-half so if you order yourself a breve, you’ll get a cup of steamed half-and-half without the espresso.
So, what do you tell the barista when you want to order a breve?
When ordering a breve at Starbucks, order a cafe breve or an espresso breve.
You can also order a breve latte, which is a latte with half-and-half, or a breve cappuccino which is a cappuccino with half-and-half.
P.s. Breve is pronounced “breh-vay”.
How to Make a Breve Coffee At Home
A breve coffee is one of the simpler coffee beverages you can make at home.
To make a breve coffee at home, simply steam the half-and-half, combine it with a shot or two of espresso and you’ll have a delicious, creamy breve.
Keep reading for our step-by-step guide on how to make a breve coffee at home.
- Make sure that your half-and-half is cold and straight out of the fridge to ensure that it foams correctly.
- Place the half-and-half in a bowl and microwave for approx. one minute until hot, with slight bubbles forming around the edges. If you are using a milk steamer, steam the half-and-half at 145 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carefully scoop the froth into another cup and whisk it until you have about ⅓ cup of foam.
- Make one to two shots of espresso, depending on how strong you would like your breve to be.
- Add the espresso to your coffee cup.
- Then, slowly pour the warmed half-and-half into the espresso.
- Spoon the foam onto the top of your breve.
- Finish off your breve with any toppings of your choice like cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or any other toppings that you like.
Breve vs Latte
A latte is one of the most popular and universal coffee orders out there.
A breve is a variation of an Italian latte. Although they have similarities, there are a few important differences that set the two drinks apart.
One of the main differences between a breve and a latte is the type of milk or cream that’s used. A breve is made with espresso and steamed half-and-half, while a latte is made with steamed milk and espresso.
With a breve coffee, you can expect a fuller-tasting coffee with a thicker, sweeter, and creamier foam on top.
Another difference between these two beverages is the fat content. Half-and-half has up to 12% fat, in comparison to whole milk which contains only about 3%. Due to this, a breve will be more calorically dense than a latte.
In terms of taste, a breve is naturally sweeter than a regular latte because of the half-and-half.
Final Thoughts on Breve Coffee
Now that you’ve learned about breve coffee, you’re ready to order it at your local coffee shop like a pro.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can test your barista skills and make a fresh cup of breve coffee from the comfort of your home.
FAQs
Is Breve coffee keto?
A regular breve coffee with half-and-half is not keto, but it can be made keto with a few simple substitutions.
To make a breve coffee keto, just substitute the half-and-half with equal parts hot water and heavy whipping cream.
How many calories are in a breve?
In a 16 oz serving of breve, there are about 455 calories.
Because of the half-and-half that’s used in a breve, breve coffee has a higher calorie and fat count than drinks that use regular or skim milk.
Is breve strong coffee?
Breve coffee’s strength is similar to that of a latte or mocha, with a medium-sized drink having about 80mg of caffeine.
Being made with espresso shots, the breve packs a punch with its caffeine content.
Is breve sweeter than a latte?
Breve coffee is naturally sweeter than a regular latte due to the fat content of the half-and-half.
You may want to hold off on adding any additional sugar or sweetener until you’ve tasted it.
