Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. There are countless ways to drink it, from a traditional cup of joe to an iced espresso in the summertime.
But when you’re ordering at a coffee shop or even making your own drink at home, how do you know which terms mean what?
Here’s a quick guide that will help you understand the basics of coffee drinks—and impress your friends with your newfound knowledge!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Sustainable coffee farming practices help promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. |
| – Supporting sustainable coffee practices can contribute to a better future for the planet and coffee-growing communities. |
| – Fair trade coffee ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their products and promotes social and economic sustainability. |
| – Coffee consumption has been linked to a range of health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and improving cognitive function. |
| – There are countless unique cafes to discover in every corner of the country – check out our guide to the best coffee shops in every state for insider tips. |
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated coffee drink that’s made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. It has a rich, full-bodied flavor and is often served in a demitasse cup.
Espresso comes from the Italian word “express” because it takes less time than other methods of brewing to make–about 25 seconds from start to finish!
Sustainable coffee farming practices help promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity by reducing the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Check out our Ultimate Guide to sustainable coffee farming practices to learn more about how farmers can reduce their environmental impact while producing quality coffee.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is a coffee drink that is made up of espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. This drink has a strong taste and can be served in a cup or mug.
Espresso is usually mixed with water to lower its strength before being brewed into the cappuccino but not always depending on your preference. The amount of water used depends on whether you want to make it stronger or weaker depending on how much espresso you use for each cup.
| Type of Cappuccino | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Cappuccino | Made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. |
| Dry Cappuccino | Made with more milk foam than steamed milk, resulting in a drier, lighter-textured drink. |
| Wet Cappuccino | Made with more steamed milk than milk foam, resulting in a creamier, smoother drink. |
| Mocha Cappuccino | A Starbucks drink consisting of espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk, and a dollop of whipped cream. |
| Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino | A seasonal Starbucks drink consisting of espresso, steamed milk, pumpkin spice flavoring, and a dollop of whipped cream. |
Latte
A latte is a milk-based coffee drink, made with espresso and steamed milk. The espresso is poured into an empty cup, and then the steamed milk is added on top of it. The drink can be stirred with a spoon or left undisturbed when served in its original form: a layer of foam floating atop your beverage.
Coffee shop culture is thriving across America, and there are countless unique cafes to discover in every corner of the country. Check out our comprehensive guide to the best coffee shops in every state for insider tips on where to find the best coffee and atmosphere in your region.
Flat White
The flat white is a milder version of the latte, with less foam and a more intense micro-foam. It’s also served in a ceramic mug.
The flat white is made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk that has been steamed more intensely than what you would find in other coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos.
Americano
The Americano is a shot of espresso and hot water. It’s a good option if you like the taste of espresso but not its caffeine content, or if you want something that’s going to be more forgiving in terms of temperature than an espresso shot would be. In Australia, this drink is called a long black–and it’s often served with milk instead of just water.
The future of coffee sustainability rests in the hands of coffee lovers. By supporting sustainable coffee practices, we can contribute to a better future for the planet and the people who depend on coffee for their livelihoods. Learn more about why sustainability matters for coffee lovers in our article, Why Every Coffee Lover Should Care About Sustainability.
Macchiato
Macchiato is a shot of espresso with a small amount of milk foam. It’s similar to a cappuccino, but has less milk and foam, making it stronger than both.
The name “macchiato” means “stained” in Italian–and refers to the way that the coffee looks when it’s made: dark brown like coffee stains on your cup!
| Type of Macchiato | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso Macchiato | A shot of espresso “marked” with a small amount of foamed milk. |
| Latte Macchiato | A layered drink consisting of steamed milk, espresso, and a small amount of foamed milk on top. |
| Caramel Macchiato | A Starbucks drink consisting of vanilla syrup, steamed milk, espresso shots, and a drizzle of caramel sauce. |
| Hazelnut Macchiato | A Dunkin’ Donuts drink consisting of hazelnut flavoring, espresso, steamed milk, and a swirl of caramel. |
Note: the description for the caramel and hazelnut macchiatos are specific to these brands, as they are unique to their menus.
Mocha (Hot or Cold)
A mocha is a combination of espresso, cocoa powder and steamed milk. This drink is named after the city of Mocha in Yemen, which was once known for its coffee beans.
The chocolate flavor comes from the cocoa powder; if you want your drink to taste more like chocolate milk than coffee with some chocolate sprinkles on top (in other words: not very strong), ask for half steamed milk and half hot water instead of all steamed milk.
| Type of Mocha | Description |
|---|---|
| Hot Mocha | A warm drink made with espresso, chocolate syrup, and steamed milk. |
| Iced Mocha | A cold drink made with espresso, chocolate syrup, and cold milk over ice. |
| White Chocolate Mocha | A Starbucks drink consisting of espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate flavoring. |
| Peppermint Mocha | A Starbucks seasonal drink consisting of espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk, peppermint flavoring, and a dollop of whipped cream. |
Note: the descriptions for the white chocolate and peppermint mochas are specific to Starbucks, as they are unique to their menu.
The mocha can be served hot or cold–it’s up to you! And depending on where you order it from and what kind of mood you’re in when ordering one yourself, there are several ways that baristas may prepare this beverage:
- Hot: Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate shavings (or both).
- Cold: Add ice cubes before topping with whipped cream (and again with shaved chocolate if desired).
Fair trade coffee ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their products and helps promote social and economic sustainability in coffee-growing communities. Discover the benefits of fair trade coffee and when to choose it for your morning brew in our article, When to Choose Fair Trade Coffee for a Better World
Learn the basics of coffee drinks
You may be wondering what a coffee drink is. Well, it’s pretty simple: A coffee drink is any beverage that contains coffee and milk.
There are many different types of these drinks, but they all fall into one of two categories: espresso-based or non-espresso based.
The most popular types of coffee drinks are those made with espresso. These include lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and macchiatos (more on those later).
The first step in creating an espresso-based drink is brewing fresh ground beans using hot water pressurized by steam pressure from the machine itself–this creates a thick layer of foam on top for you to enjoy!
Coffee isn’t just a delicious drink- it may also be a superfood! Recent studies have linked coffee consumption to a range of health benefits, from reducing the risk of certain cancers to improving cognitive function. Discover the latest research on the health benefits of coffee in our article, Is Coffee the New Superfood? Here’s What the Research Says.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the different types of coffee drinks. We hope that you now have a better understanding of what each beverage is and how they are made. If you’re looking to learn more about the world of coffee, check out our other articles on the topic!
Further Reading
For more information on coffee drinks and brewing methods, check out these resources:
The Ultimate Guide to Coffee Drinks and Brewing Methods: This guide covers all the different types of coffee drinks and brewing methods, from drip coffee to espresso-based beverages.
A Beginner’s Guide to Coffee Drinks: This article is a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about coffee drinks and their different variations.
Types of Coffee: A Guide to Enjoying Your Cuppa: This guide covers the different types of coffee and how they differ in taste, strength, and brewing method.
FAQs
What are some popular types of coffee drinks?
Some popular types of coffee drinks include espresso, cappuccino, latte, and Americano.
What is the difference between drip coffee and espresso?
Drip coffee is brewed by slowly pouring hot water over coarsely ground coffee beans, while espresso is made by forcing pressurized hot water through finely ground coffee beans for a shorter period of time.
What is a macchiato?
A macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with a dollop of foamed milk.
What is a Frappuccino?
A Frappuccino is a blended coffee drink that typically includes espresso, milk, ice, and flavored syrup.
What is a pour-over coffee?
A pour-over coffee is made by slowly pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a coffee filter. This method allows for a more precise and controlled brewing process, which can result in a more balanced and nuanced flavor.
Hi, I’m Hellen James, founder of Unified Coffees. I created the platform to fill the gap in coffee blogging by providing tips on brewing coffee, rather than just focusing on beans and grinders.
