A true Latte is espresso shots and steamed milk with a little foam lid

Go to a coffee shop in Italy and ask for a Latte and all you'll get is a glass of milk. That's not strictly true - you'll also get the distinct feeling that the barista wants to follow you home and suffocate you as you sleep.

We Brits have taken their word for milk and used it to ruin their espresso for over half a century now.

The only beneficiary of the defamation of espresso in this way is whichever company holds the patent for those weird, funnel-shaped glasses with tiny little handles and even smaller bases, which almost keep the glass upright on a saucer. Not sure what we mean? Go to Costa - they own half the world's supply.

Since we're not in Italy, and since we're not wholly unreasonable, you may order a Latte and feel safe in the knowledge that we won't crack open the Oreos. Nor do we have any desire to shove a pillow over your face. You can throw a 'Caffè' in front of 'Latte' if you like, but asides from revealing your allegiance to Nero's, there's little merit in doing so.

A true Latte is espresso shots and steamed milk with a little foam lid, and nothing is gained by serving it in a novelty receptacle. As milk enhances the flavour of espresso, there is no logical reason why a Latte should be so much weaker than an Americano or any other coffee, yet in most places this seems to be the case.

Ask for a Latte at our place and it'll actually contain a fair amount of coffee and it'll be in either a cup and saucer or a mug, but it makes no difference to us, so please feel free to decant it into a glass, a Disney tumbler with a whirly straw, or your pocket.

[box type="info"] Find The Little Coffee Company opposite Brighton Town Hall at 4 Bartholomews, Brighton, BN1 1HG