What Is Galao? Get To Know This Delicious Portuguese Coffee

Portuguese coffee culture doesn’t have the global reach of its Italian counterpart, but the galao is a drink worth knowing.

The galao coffee is Portugal’s answer to the latte or cafe au lait. It consists of one part espresso topped with three parts frothed milk and served in a tall glass. The galao is usually a breakfast drink, but you can enjoy this traditional Portuguese coffee experience any time of day with my simple recipe.

What is Galao Portuguese Coffee?

The galão is one of the most popular coffee drinks in Portugal, where it’s usually served at breakfast time (1). It’s one of many coffee drinks made from espresso and steamed milk. In this case, there is a 1:3 ratio of coffee to milk, making it relatively creamy with a mild coffee flavor – similar to a latte.

The typical coffee used for the Portuguese galão is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, reminiscent of the espresso blend common in southern Italy. The addition of Robusta gives it a darker, earthier flavor profile and ups the caffeine content a tad.

When ordering a galao in Portugal, there are several variations of the drink. The standard galao uses a weaker coffee – either a filter brew or a second passing of an espresso shot – so it has a very light coffee flavor, whereas the galao direto is made with a standard espresso shot. 

You can also order a galao claro, which uses a higher ratio of milk to coffee, or escuro, which uses a lower ratio for a strong drink.

What is the difference between a latte and a galao?

The main difference between a galao and a latte is the milk-to-coffee ratio. Galão has a higher proportion of milk than a caffè latte. The texture of the milk is also different. A latte is made mostly with steamed milk, capped by a thin layer of foam. Compared to a latte, the foamed milk in a galao is slightly frothier. As a result, the latte has a stronger coffee flavor and creamier mouthfeel.

What is the difference between a galao and a meia de leite?

The difference between galão and meia de leite (meaning “half milk”) is the ratio of coffee to milk. The galao has a ratio of 1:3, while the meia de leite uses a ratio of 1:1. The meia de leite is thus a much smaller and stronger drink – very similar to the Spanish cortado.

How To Make Galão Coffee

In this recipe, I’ll be making the galao direto, which uses a standard espresso shot. As long as you have an espresso machine, you probably know the steps to a perfect galão already! And if you don’t have an espresso machine, replace the shot with 2 ounces of brewed coffee for a standard galao.

Looking for something a little more creative? Check out this flaming Spanish coffee drink.

Step 1: Grind your beans

Grind your beans to a fine grind suitable for espresso. Portuguese coffees are usually made with dark roast beans, but feel free to substitute your favorites.

Step 2: Pull the shot

Pull a single shot of espresso. I like to use a slightly long shot for this drink, aiming for a 1.5 to 2 ounce extraction.

If you don’t have an espresso machine, use a Moka pot or Aeropress to brew 2 ounces of very strong coffee.

Step 3: Steam the milk

Add the 6 ounces of milk to a frothing pitcher and use your espresso machine’s steam wand to froth it. The milk for a galao is frothier than a latte but not quite as airy as a traditional cappuccino. Aim for a temperature around 140 – 150 F.

You can also use a milk frother if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.

Step 4: Assemble your drink

Pour the frothed milk over the coffee base – either a shot of espresso or a small serving of freshly brewed coffee – in a tall, prewarmed glass. Serve your galão immediately.

 Final Thoughts

The galao is a Portuguese coffee drink you’re unlikely to find at your local coffee shop. That, combined with its simple ingredients and easy assembly, makes it perfect for a tasty milky coffee at home. Just follow the recipe above, close your eyes, and picture yourself wandering the beautiful streets of Lisbon.