"Latte Legends: The Story of the Iconic Coffee Drink"

The latte, a beloved coffee drink known for its smooth and creamy texture, has a rich history that spans over a century. The origins of the latte can be traced back to Italy, where it is believed to have been first served in the early 20th century. The term "latte" is Italian for "milk," which is fitting as the drink is made with a significant amount of steamed milk added to a shot of espresso.

It is said that the latte was first created by a barista named Luigi Bezzera in Milan, Italy in 1901. He introduced a new method of brewing coffee, which involved adding a small amount of steamed milk to a shot of espresso to balance the strong, bitter taste. This new method was called "Caffè Latte", which means "coffee with milk" in Italian.

However, it wasn't until the 1950s and 1960s that the latte as we know it today was developed in the United States. This version of the latte is made with a larger proportion of steamed milk to espresso and is typically served in a tall glass. It was in the United States that the latte became popularized and took on its current form.

It is said that the first café to serve the latte in the United States was a small coffee shop in Seattle, Washington called "Starbucks" in the early 1980s. The café's founders, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker, were inspired by the Italian caffè latte and decided to introduce it to American customers. Today, Starbucks is one of the largest coffee chains in the world, and the latte is one of its most popular drinks.

To make a latte, one must pull a shot of espresso and then steam the milk. The steamed milk should be poured into the espresso and then topped with a small amount of foam. The foam should be spooned onto the top of the latte and then it's ready to be served.

Today, latte's variations such as flavored lattes, iced lattes, and even "latte art" are widely available in coffee shops and cafes worldwide. The latte's versatility and growing popularity have made it a staple in many coffee menus. Its history and evolution is a testament to the ingenuity and passion of baristas around the world, who have taken a simple drink and turned it into a work of art.