There is enough coffee for everyone. In its abundance, whether black, light, or sweet, there’s coffee for all. Coffee is a universal language, shared in love globally. It’s an everyday beverage; all day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making the coffee at home or ordering one from Starbucks, you can sample different tastes and preferences to find your best taste.
Coffee choices are limitless
As a coffee enthusiast, I assure you that over the next decade, more coffee recipes will be invented. Coffee lovers and enthusiasts understand the infinity of this widely loved and acclaimed drink. Few, if any, will ever get to say they exhausted all types of coffee on offer. Come to think of it, is it even plausible? Probably not.
In this guide, we just highlight different types of coffee on offer. Go out, order and taste as much coffee as you can, add milk, enjoy the spirit of cold brews, and where possible, brew at home. Live the full coffee experience.
The Coffee Kingdom
As mentioned, the types of coffee are limited by one’s awareness. We’ve tried to build a nomenclature of some of the best coffee for you to go out there and sample.
Black Coffee
Black coffee is a term used for espresso drinks that don’t have milk, water, or other substances. The coffee beans are roasted and then brewed under high pressure to create a small amount of very strong coffee. Black coffee is full-bodied with a bitter taste. With good coffee beans accompanied by best brewing practices, you’ll be on your way to enjoying unique tastes and flavors with an arousing aroma to boot.
Americano
An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. This results in a drink that is similar to regular drip coffee but with more body and flavor. In short, an Americano is a weakened espresso with a substantial amount of coffee, served in a big cup.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is made with one shot of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk on top. The foam provides a creamy texture and the steamed milk makes the cappuccino less bitter than plain espresso.
Also Read: How to Make the Perfect Cappuccino Coffee at Home
Fun fact
Do you know cappuccino derives its name from the Capucin friars meaning ‘small cap’ and this refers to the perfect brown shade color of their habits? Now you know!
Latte
A latte is made with one shot of espresso and steamed milk. The steamed milk makes the latte less bitter than plain espresso. A latte has more milk than a cappuccino and less foam. In fact, milk dictates the taste as it dominates the espresso.
Also read: How to Prepare a Latte: Best Home Recipe
Macchiato
A macchiato is made with one shot of espresso and a small amount of foamed milk. The word “macchiato” means “stained” in Italian, so a macchiato has a small amount of milk compared to a latte. Mixing the two is disastrous and a Macchiato is prepared such that equal amounts blend while drinking. Each sip at a time with unforgettable greatness.
Read more about Macchiato Recipes & Variations
Mocha
Well, dear readers, I’ve got a confession. A double Mocha is an indisputable way to my heart. I love its strong roast taste.
A mocha is made with one shot of espresso, chocolate syrup, and steamed milk. The chocolate syrup makes the mocha sweeter than a latte. Mocha is also sometimes called a “chocolate latte.”
Espresso
Espresso is made by brewing coffee beans under high pressure to create a small amount of very strong coffee. Espresso is full-bodied with a bitter taste. With good coffee beans and best brewing practices, you’ll be on your way to enjoying unique tastes and flavors accompanied by an arousing aroma.
Also read: What is Espresso? Home Recipe and Health Benefits
Ristretto
A ristretto is made by brewing coffee beans under high pressure for a shorter period of time than espresso. This results in a smaller amount of coffee with more concentrated flavors.
Also read: What is Ristretto?
Doppio
A doppio is simply a double shot of espresso. If you order a doppio at a coffee shop, you’ll usually get two shots of espresso in a single cup.
Read more about What is Doppio Coffee?
Cortado
A cortado is made with one shot of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk. The milk makes the cortado less bitter than plain espresso.
Read more about Cortado and What makes it Different from other types of coffee
Flat White
A flat white is made with one shot of espresso and steamed milk. The milk makes the flat white less bitter than plain espresso. A flat white has more milk than a cortado and less foam.
Read More About Flat White
Long Black
A long black is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. This results in a drink that is similar to regular drip coffee but with more body and flavor. In short, a long black is a weakened espresso with a substantial amount of coffee, served in a big cup.
Read more about Long Black Coffee
Espresso con Panna
Espresso con Panna is made with one shot of espresso and whipped cream. The whipped cream makes the espresso con Panna sweeter than plain espresso.
Read more about Espresso con Panna
Espresso Macchiato
An espresso macchiato is made with one shot of espresso and a small amount of foamed milk. The foamed milk makes the espresso macchiato less bitter than plain espresso.
Café au Lait
A café au lait is made with brewed coffee and steamed milk. The steamed milk makes the café au lait less bitter than regular drip coffee. A café au lait has more milk than a latte and less foam.
Dirty Chai Latte
A dirty chai latte is made with brewed tea, spices, steamed milk, and foam. The foam makes the dirty chai latte less bitter than regular chai tea. A dirty chai latte has more milk than a regular chai latte and more foam.
Red Eye
A red eye is made with brewed coffee and one shot of espresso. The espresso makes the red-eye more bitter than regular drip coffee. Red-eye has more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee.
Japanese Iced Coffee
Japanese iced coffee is made by brewing coffee over ice. This results in a drink that is less bitter and has more body than regular iced coffee. Japanese iced coffee is also sometimes called “cold brew.”
Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee is made by brewing coffee beans at room temperature for an extended period of time. This results in a drink that is less bitter and has more body than regular iced coffee. Cold brew coffee is also sometimes called “Japanese iced coffee.”
Turkish Coffee
Turkish coffee is made by brewing coffee beans with water and sugar. This results in a sweet and bitter drink that is similar to espresso but with more body. Turkish coffee is also sometimes called “Greek coffee.”
Irish Coffee
An Irish coffee is made with whiskey, coffee, sugar, and cream. The cream makes the Irish coffee sweeter than a regular cup of coffee. An Irish coffee has more alcohol than a regular cup of coffee.
Kahlua and Cream
A Kahlua and cream is made with coffee liqueur, cream, and sometimes vodka. The cream makes the Kahlua and cream sweeter than a regular cup of coffee. A Kahlua and cream has more alcohol than a regular cup of coffee.
Caffe Breve
A caffe breve is made with half-and-half, espresso, and foam. The half-and-half makes the Caffe breve sweeter than a regular latte. A caffe breve has more milk than a latte and less foam.
Lungo
A lungo is made with one shot of espresso and hot water. This results in a drink that is similar to regular drip coffee but with more body and flavor. In short, a lungo is a weakened espresso with a substantial amount of coffee, served in a big cup just like an Americano but with a refined taste.
Decaf Coffee
Decaf coffee is made with coffee beans that have been decaffeinated and dried after. This results in a drink that has less caffeine than regular coffee. Decaf coffee is also sometimes called “decaffeinated coffee.”
Half-Caf Coffee
Half-caf coffee is made with half regular coffee and half decaf coffee. This results in a drink that has less caffeine than regular coffee but more caffeine than decaf coffee.
Bulletproof Coffee
Don’t be fooled by the name.
Bulletproof coffee is just regular coffee with butter and oil added to it. The butter and oil make the bulletproof coffee richer and creamier than regular coffee. However, this coffee helps manage hangovers, and thus loved for this property. Well, I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
Aeropress Coffee
AeroPress coffee is made with an AeroPress coffee maker that uses a plunger to press hot water through coffee grounds. This results in a strong cup of coffee with less bitterness than espresso. If there’s one coffee with a peculiar taste, this is it.
Pour Over Coffee
Pour-over coffee is made by pouring hot water over coffee grounds. This results in a drink that is similar to drip coffee but with more body and flavor. Pour-over coffee is also sometimes called “manual drip coffee.”
Siphon Coffee
A siphon coffee maker is used to make siphon coffee. The siphon coffee maker uses a vacuum to brew coffee. This results in a drink that is similar to espresso but with more body and flavor. Siphon coffee is also sometimes called “vacuum brewed coffee.”
Toddy Coffee
Toddy coffee is made by soaking coffee grounds in water for an extended period of time. This results in a drink that is less bitter and has more body than regular iced coffee. Toddy coffee is also sometimes called “cold brew.”
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is made by brewing coffee and then freeze-drying it. This results in a drink that is similar to regular drip coffee but with less bitterness. Instant coffee is also sometimes called “soluble coffee.”
Coffee is Infinite …
The use of ellipsis captures our feelings towards the limitlessness of coffee. These are just but a handful of the types of coffee to choose from. Go forth, discover more, and enjoy each sip. Speak the coffee language and uphold the heritage!