Have you ever been in a coffee shop and felt confused? If so, here is a simple coffee dictionary with various types of coffee explained. It does not contain every type of coffee but this should cover the basics. The coffees are listed in order of strength. However, the mocha and latte are relatively interchangeable.
#SpoonTip: Depending on the size of a cup of coffee, certain elements differ.
Espresso
Brian Legate on Flickr
An espresso is very strong, and often, espresso shots are used in the other coffee drinks. The more espresso a coffee drink contains, the stronger it will taste.
If you are to order an espresso by itself, you will receive a tiny cup with dark-looking coffee inside. They call it a “shot of espresso” because it is actually the size of a single shot. Espresso will definitely wake you up. If you are simply looking for a quick energy boost, drink espresso.
Americano
Lara604 on Flickr
Americanos are the most similar to an espresso. They will contain between one and four shots of espresso, depending on the size you order. It is a style of coffee prepared by brewing espresso with added hot water. It is not quite as strong as an espresso and is not a sweet drink.
Macchiato
Salim Virji on Flickr
A macchiato is an espresso coffee drink with a small amount of foamed milk on the top. Macchiatos are commonly accompanied by flavor shots, too. Macchiatos can be very sweet, but they can also be strong in taste.
Cappuccino
matsuyuki on Flickr
A cappuccino is not exceedingly strong. It is actually quite similar to the latte, but it holds less milk. A cappuccino usually contains two espresso shots, steamed milk, and foamed milk on top. Often, cinnamon is sprinkled on top. Cappuccinos tend to be enjoyed in the mornings and have a strong coffee flavor.
Mocha
KathrynW1 on Flickr
When you see “mocha,” think chocolate. A mocha is a very sugary coffee drink. It contains around two shots of espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup (or milk), and whipped cream on top.
Depending on the amount of milk and chocolate, a mocha will vary in strength. Additionally, mochas tend to be sweet, and they are very caloric. If you see “white mocha,” it is made with white chocolate as opposed to dark/milk chocolate.
Latte
kennymatic on Flickr
A latte is a very milk-heavy drink. The coffee taste is masked by the milk, so lattes are not incredibly strong. A latte will ordinarily contain two shots of espresso, steamed milk, and foam on the top. Additionally, a latte is a great coffee drink to enjoy with a flavor shot like vanilla or hazelnut. Lattes tend to be sweet, but they are not as sweet as mochas.
Clearly, there are many different types of coffee. While this may not define every single type of coffee a café has to offer, it should serve as a good starting point. Hopefully you will now feel more confident with your next coffee order.
FAQs
Latte: Since you are just starting, this is probably the best coffee drink to start with. It is made with a shot of espresso and skimmed milk. It is usually topped with a layer of foamed milk and often served with sweeteners. Mocha: This drink is a chocolate-flavored version of lattes.
How many different types of coffee are there? ›
How many coffee types exist? There are over 30 combinations of coffee types in the world. We've put together some of our favourite coffee types for you to try at home - easy recipes with NESCAFÉ® instant coffee as the starting point.
What are the different types of coffee you can make? ›
How to make different types of coffee
- Black Coffee. A black coffee is a simple yet effective choice that's popular amongst many. ...
- Latte. ...
- Cappuccino. ...
- Espresso. ...
- Americano. ...
- Flat White. ...
- Cortado. ...
- Mocha.
Low acid decaf frappe or latte with lactose-free milk is the mildest coffee on earth. Acid, caffeine, & lactose can all irritate the intestines. & like Martin Bayer pointed out, it's even milder if it's a blonde roast.
What's the weakest type of coffee? ›
Espresso is the least caffeinated coffee. Per volume. 75mg is not much at all. Sure it will give you a kick as you first drink it, but that soon fades.
Which type of coffee is the tastiest? ›
Most coffee lovers prefer Arabica coffee beans over Robusta beans because they offer a sweeter, smoother taste. Ethiopian Harrar, Tanzanian Peaberry, Panamanian Geisha, Sumatra Mandheling and Hawaii Kona are among the best-tasting Arabica coffee beans in the world.
What are the 4 main coffees? ›
All 4 of these coffee bean varieties enrich and bring value to the coffee world:
- Arabica.
- Robusta.
- Liberica.
- Excelsa.
A Ristretto is the strongest coffee type! It's similar to an espresso in the way that it's made. Water is still pulled through coffee beans to create the coffee but a Ristretto uses less water. This makes the coffee shorter and stronger because the concentration of coffee and caffeine is higher.
What does frappe stand for? ›
The Frappé we know and love is pronounced 'frap-pay' and when loosely translated from French, it literally means 'iced'. This delicious drink is generally made of water, espresso, sugar, milk, ice and is shaken, blended or beaten to combine the ingredients.
What coffee has no milk? ›
Black Coffee
Also known as “café noir” (coffee without cream or milk), black coffee is the most straightforward type of java.
A latte, or also called a caffè latte, is the big brother of the cappuccino, where everything revolves around the soft, silky foam. Usually the latte is made with a single or double shot of espresso (1/3 of your drink) and 2/3 of your drink is steamed milk with a small layer (around 1 cm) of frothed milk.
What is a creamy coffee called? ›
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is a coffee made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. It is typically served in a small, 6-ounce (180-milliliter) cup. A cappuccino is characterized by its rich, creamy texture and robust and bold flavour.
What is poor quality coffee? ›
“Bad” coffee tends to be made when beans are very acidic, which will make your coffee taste very bitter. This will more likely be seen in dark roasts. Remember though, it's all down to personal preference, and although its more commonly looked at as bad, you might enjoy a high acidity coffee.
Which coffee has no caffeine? ›
Decaf coffee is just like regular coffee, except the caffeine has been removed.
What type of coffee is most drinking? ›
Arabica. Arabica is the most popular type of coffee, hands down. Depending on who you ask, many coffee enthusiasts prefer using Arabica beans due to its taste. Typically used for black coffee, Arabica beans have a sweeter, more complex flavor that you can drink straight.
What coffee should I get for my first time? ›
Start off with a half strength coffee. The more you dilute your cup the less intense the coffee flavours will be in it. Add in some sugars or syrups even to dull down the flavours even more. Don't jump straight to black coffee, stick to your milk based drinks like your lattes, cappuccinos or mochas for the beginning.
What coffee to start with if you don't like coffee? ›
A hazelnut or vanilla latte or a caramel cappuccino are classic coffee drinks that don't taste much like coffee. The milk and flavoring in these espresso drinks can help ease you into the taste of coffee. The espresso flavor still shines through a bit, but it isn't overwhelming in the scheme of the drink.
What is the best way to get started with coffee? ›
“You should start brewing your coffee with a simple 1:15 ratio (1 gram of coffee for each 15 grams of water). After pouring your water onto the coffee grounds, you wait for four to six minutes and then drink. However, if it's too hot, lower the water temperature and experiment with that.”
What is the most basic coffee drink? ›
The Espresso, comprised of a single shot of highly concentrated coffee that you can take down in one or two gulps, is the most basic (and potent) style of coffee drink available.
