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What Is Breve Coffee?
A breve (caffe breve) is basically a latte made with steamed half-and-half instead of milk. Swapping milk for half-and-half — a blend of milk and cream — makes it richer, creamier, and thicker, with a more velvety foam and noticeably more calories and fat.
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What's in it
- Espresso (usually one or two shots)
- Steamed half-and-half, foamed like milk for a latte
- The classic ratio is like a latte: espresso plus the steamed half-and-half and a little foam
Breve vs. latte vs. cappuccino
| Drink | Dairy | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Latte | steamed milk | creamy, lighter |
| Cappuccino | milk + lots of foam | airy, foam-forward |
| Breve | steamed half-and-half | richest and heaviest |
Where the name comes from: "breve" means short in Italian. In American coffee shops it's come to mean the half-and-half version of a milk espresso drink.
Good to know
- It's higher in fat and calories than a regular latte — that's the point, and why it tastes dessert-like.
- Half-and-half foams a little differently (heavier), so the foam is denser than skim-milk foam.
- You can order flavored (vanilla breve, etc.) just like a latte.
The closest sibling pages are What Is Calamari? and What Is Caster Sugar?.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a breve and a latte?
A latte uses steamed milk; a breve uses steamed half-and-half, so it's richer, creamier, and higher in fat and calories.
What is a breve made of?
Espresso and steamed half-and-half, foamed like a latte. Half-and-half is a blend of milk and cream.
Is breve coffee sweet?
Not by default — it's rich and creamy rather than sweet. You can add flavored syrup like a vanilla breve if you want it sweet.