First and foremost, we’re going to address the question of exactly what a latte is. Basically, a latte is a coffee beverage based upon an espresso, that is made with steamed milk and topped with foam milk which is known by baristas as microfoam. The good thing about a latte is the fact that you can add additional flavourings. These can range from vanilla and hazelnut to even caramel. Why Is It Actually Called A Latte? Okay, so now that we know what is a latte, lets dive into why is it called a latte in the first place? Well, in English, the name ‘latte’ is derived from the Italian word Caffellatte, which actually means ‘milk coffee’. Remember, lattes are made with milk, rather than water, so in reality, the name makes perfect sense.