National Café au Lait Day

National Café au Lait Day is celebrate annually on February 17^th. Let enjoy this day with a cup of perfect café au lait.

History of National Café au Lait Day

Don't confuse café au lait with caffè latte. The drinks are the same, but the terms are used to describe how the coffee is served. The French version of the drink is served in a white porcelain mug and the Italian caffè latte is served in the kitchen glass, but both are made in an espresso machine with the addition of hot milk.

You can find different latte recipes in Europe. It has different names, but the drink is always the same. The exception to the rule is café renversé (reverse coffee in English), popular in the French-speaking areas of Switzerland. This coffee is made using milk as the base and adding espresso, while the classic café au lait is made by adding hot milk to hot coffee.

If you like the bitter taste of coffee then try the New Orleans style, which is made with milk and coffee mixed with chicory. Root of Chicory brings the drink a strong and bitter taste. Also, New Orleans' cafe au lait is made with skimmed milk, not steamed milk.

"Café au lait" in French means "coffee with milk" and the drink is simply coffee with hot milk added. It is similar to café con leche in Spain, and the drink is similar in other European countries. While in Europe, it is espresso or strong coffee, and steamed milk is used; it is traditionally in a white porcelain cup or bowl in France.

In the US, it is served in coffee shops from strong drip or French press. Steamed milk is added. It's popular in New Orleans, where it's made with milk and coffee mixed with chicory. Chicory began to be used in Louisiana during the Civil War, when it was mixed with coffee to prolong its supply. Contrary to the European style, in New Orleans it is made with skimmed milk instead of steamed milk. It's popular at places like Café du Monde and Morning Call, and is traditionally enjoyed with beignets sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Observing National Café au Lait Day

Celebrate the day by drinking café au lait. Enjoy it at a coffee shop or make your own, try the traditional style or the New Orleans style.