Café au lait is a coffee drink that originated in France and is made by adding hot milk to coffee. Here are some key points about café au lait:
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Ingredients: It is typically made using brewed coffee and steamed milk, in a ratio of one part coffee to one part milk, with no froth or foam on top.
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Variations: The drink can vary around the world. In France, it is made using a one-to-one mix of espresso and steamed milk, while in North America, it is often made with strong brewed coffee in place of a shot of espresso and served in a cappuccino cup for better heat retention.
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Serving: Traditionally, café au lait is served in a small, wide glass bowl, making it easy to dunk pastries in the coffee. In the United States, it is generally served in a cup, as with brewed coffee, being served in a bowl only at shops which wish to emphasize French tradition.
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Difference from other coffee drinks: Café au lait is different from other coffee drinks like white coffee, which is coffee with cold milk or other whiteners added, and caffè latte, which is made with espresso and steamed milk, and has a layer of frothed milk on top.
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Iced café au lait: Iced café au lait is made by adding frothed milk to iced coffee.
Overall, café au lait is a simple and delicious coffee drink that can be enjoyed in many different ways depending on the region and personal preference.