Tag: Flavored lattes

While the origin of lattes dates back to the 17th century, the flavored variations we know today became widely popular in the American coffee scene during the 1980s. So, do flavored lattes have coffee? Yes, the vast majority are built upon an espresso base, making them a type of coffee drink despite the addition of sweet syrups or powders.

A single serving of black coffee has only around 2-5 calories, but adding steamed milk and syrups can quickly increase that number significantly. So, is a latte full of calories? The answer is often yes, but it depends on the specific ingredients and customization choices.

While black coffee is the most consumed beverage in the U.S. after water, many coffee drinkers find themselves preferring the indulgence of a latte. The creamy texture and milder flavor are just two of the reasons why lattes are better than coffee for a growing number of people.

According to Inspira Health Network, a 16-ounce standard latte with 2% milk contains approximately 25 grams of naturally occurring milk sugar alone. This fact reveals that a basic latte is not sugar-free, while flavored latte coffee varieties significantly increase the sugar content.

According to Dunkin's official information, a standard, unflavored latte is made with just espresso and milk, and therefore contains only the naturally occurring lactose sugar from the milk. The answer to whether a Dunkin' latte has sugar in it depends entirely on whether you add extra sweeteners, like a flavor swirl, or order a pre-sweetened Signature Latte.

An unflavored, standard 16-ounce (Grande) caffe latte from a popular chain contains approximately 18 grams of sugar, all of which is naturally occurring lactose from the milk. This might be surprising for those expecting zero sugar, but understanding the difference between natural milk sugar and added sweeteners is key to answering how much sugar is usually in a latte.

While many coffee drinkers assume lattes are inherently sweet, a traditional cafe latte contains no added sugar, relying solely on the natural sweetness of steamed milk. This common misconception often stems from the prevalence of flavored and sweetened variations found at coffee chains. Understanding the components of a true latte can help you customize your next coffee order to your exact taste.

While a classic, unflavored latte contains no *added* sugar, a 16-ounce serving made with 2% milk can still contain around 11 grams of naturally occurring milk sugar, or lactose. So, are lattes high in sugar? It depends entirely on what's in your cup.