Coffee is a beverage that is popular the world over, and it can be brewed in a multitude of different ways to create different variations.
The beans are grown exclusively in tropical environments, and some of the largest coffee exporters are Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Colombia and Vietnam, amongst others.
Each coffee from each region will have a different flavour and unique notes, just like a bottle of wine. Hence, your variety when you are a coffee enthusiast is almost limitless. Here are some of our very favourite types of coffee drinks …
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Types Of Coffee Drinks Your Local Coffee Shop Makes
When it comes to the various kinds of coffee drinks, the differences can be very slight and may seem hard to tell apart at first glance.
Still, a true coffee connoisseur can appreciate the subtle changes from drink to drink if you can familiarise yourself with them. The main elements of these drinks are espresso, made from freshly ground coffee beans or prepackaged ground coffee and milk in some form, whether cold, hot, steamed, scalded or foamed.
Some coffee drinks don’t include milk, but we will get to those in a second. These two features may seem very simple, but they can be combined in many ways to create these delectable coffee drinks.
The coffee drinks we are looking at today are all based on ground beans rather than the instant coffee you make at home, so make sure you scope these out at your local coffee shop when you want to treat yourself. Even if you have your filter coffee machine or bean-to-cup machine, it’s still great fun to share coffee with friends in your favourite coffee shop.
Espresso
The standard base for most coffee drinks, this strong beverage is created by pushing nearly boiled water through the finely ground coffee at high pressure. This rapid process results in a solid, small serving of coffee that can be served in a small cup or as the base for another drink.
Americano
Unlike an espresso, an americano is espresso and hot water. Hence, you end up with a full cup of coffee the same serving size as a regular percolated coffee with a more intense flavour. It is common for an americano to be served with hot or cold milk on the side in a small jug. This Italian coffee translates to “American coffee” that originated in World War II.
Café Latte
Another trendy coffee drink, the café latte translates from the Italian very fittingly to “coffee and milk,” which is precisely what it is: espresso with a generous helping of milk in two different forms. They are often served in tall glasses rather than a mug so you can see the transparent layers of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam.
Cappuccino
Arguably the most popular coffee drink in the world, a cappuccino involves espresso and steamed milk topped with microfoam. Compared to a latte, a cappuccino has a smaller volume of milk but a thicker foam layer. The foam itself is often decorated with designs created by trained baristas.
Café au Lait
This French coffee consists of equal parts coffee and scalded milk with no foam on top. A café au lait is often served in a vast, bowl-type cup with a wide mouth to cool it sufficiently to drink.
Café Mocha
Also known as a mochaccino, a mocha is a latte with chocolate flavouring that is either white or dark chocolate. This flavouring is often in cocoa powder but can sometimes be chocolate syrup. Its namesake comes from the city of Mocha in Yemen.
Cold Brew
To completely flip coffee making on its head, cold brew has become wildly popular in the last few years. This is created by steeping ground coffee in cold or room temperature water for 14 to 18 hours and then straining before drinking. It can be drunk straight or with ice and milk. The concept behind this brewing process is to bring out different flavour profiles that aren’t brought to the forefront when the coffee has been heated.
Cortado
This is a pretty simple drink merely involving espresso with hot milk. The milk is not scalded or frothed, resulting in a milky finish without the creamy texture of steamed milk.
Flat White
This beverage is commonly confused with cappuccinos, but subtle differences exist. A flat white features espresso and microfoam with more coffee to milk. What sets this apart, however, is the fine bubbles and velvety consistency in the foam.
Iced Coffee
Another popular coffee in recent times is what it says on the tin: coffee with ice. This can be cold brew or cooled down traditionally brewed coffee with added ice and the creamer of your choice—the perfect compromise when you want coffee on a hot day.
Café Macchiato
For those who love espresso but want to take the edge off, a macchiato is perfect! It consists of an espresso shot with a splash of steamed milk on top.
Affogato
If you like dessert and you like a coffee at the end of your meal, then an affogato is the perfect solution. This delectable treat features a scoop of ice cream (traditionally vanilla, but you can mix it up) with a shot of hot espresso poured over the top and eaten with a spoon.
Types Of Coffee Drinks: Summing Up
Who would have thought that one little bean could be transformed into many varieties? Whether you like sweet or bitter, creamy or smooth, there is a coffee out there for just about any taste. We often get stuck in the same old coffee order repeatedly out of habit, but with all of these wonderful options, why not push the boat out and switch up your order next time?
You never know. You may find a new favourite along the way. For example, try our bulletproof coffee recipe; it’s fantastic!
