French café au lait
Café au lait is a classic French coffee beverage made by blending strong, freshly brewed coffee with an equal portion of hot milk. It is a staple of French breakfast culture, often enjoyed with pastries like croissants or baguettes. The name literally translates to 'coffee with milk' in French.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
A standard serving (about 8 oz) contains roughly 60-90 calories, with minimal fat and protein from the milk and negligible carbs unless sweetened. It provides a moderate caffeine boost along with some calcium and vitamin D from the milk.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
| Calcium | 280 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.1 mcg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.4 mg |
| Phosphorus | 220 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Selenium | 9 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
In France, café au lait is traditionally served in a wide bowl rather than a cup, and it's almost always paired with bread for dipping—a cultural ritual that highlights the beverage's role as a comforting, everyday staple rather than a specialty drink.
