There are many different types of coffee that all have their own unique qualities, but it can get confusing when you’re looking up at a big list of names on a chalkboard. While there are dozens of different variations and specialist blends, knowing the difference between the most popular items is a good foundation for your coffee drinking journey.
The 12 most common types that you will see listed are the Espresso, the Double Espresso, the Macchiato, the Ristretto, the Cortado, the Americano, the Long Black, the Latte, the Cappuccino, the Flat White, the Mocha, and the Affogato. If all of that sounds a bit daunting, don’t worry, they are actually relatively simple to understand.
This article will go into detail about these 12 types of coffee, what makes each one unique and why you might find yourself drawn to one choice or another.
What Are the Main Differences in Coffee Types?
The coffees that you will find in a café or at a restaurant can usually be separated into two main types: black coffees and milky coffees, and there are many variations of each. Black coffees consist of just coffee and water, with no additives, whereas milky coffees usually contain some mixture of coffee, steamed milk, and foam for decoration.
What is an Espresso?
The Espresso is the fundamental building block for most other types of coffee and is made by forcing very hot water at high pressure through fine-ground, dark-roasted beans. A single Espresso is one shot of intensely flavoured, concentrated coffee in a small mug and is made to be sipped by those that like their coffee with a punch.
What is a Double Espresso?
An Espresso is a very short coffee, that doesn’t contain many sips for you to enjoy because of its intensity of flavour. If you want strength from your coffee but are in need of a bigger hit than a single Espresso can carry then a Double Espresso, or “Doppio”, is two shots of espresso in one cup.
What is a Ristretto?
The Ristretto is very similar to a single Espresso and they are easily confused, but you will notice the difference as soon as you put it to your lips. A Ristretto is a single espresso shot made with half as much water, meaning it is significantly darker in colour, richer in flavour and more concentrated overall.
What is a Macchiato?
Another coffee of the short variety, the Macchiato is a great option for people who love the intensity of the Espresso but are looking for a way to even out the harshness. A Macchiato combines one shot of espresso with a small amount of milk, traditionally foamed, that sits on top of the shot and mellows out the flavour.
What is a Cortado?
If the Macchiato is still too strong for your tastes but a short, powerful coffee is what you’re after, then the Cortado is a good way to go. A Cortado combines a shot of espresso, or sometimes two, with an equal amount of steamed milk for a balanced, smooth blend that is strong and powerful, but also creamy.
What is an Americano?
While short coffees are small and to the point, long coffees are made to be savoured over time and the Americano is the most iconic. An Americano consists of one shot of espresso topped up with hot water at a ratio of about 1:2, coffee to water, so its strength and intensity are spread out into a longer drink.
What is a Long Black?
A lot of coffee drinkers, and even coffee shops, treat the Americano and the Long Black the same, as they are both espresso shots topped up with water. The Long Black, however, adds the espresso at the end rather than the beginning, which leaves a foam on the top and has a subtle, but distinctive, effect on the flavour.
What is a Latte?
Where coffees start to get a little more complicated is with the addition of milk, and the Latte is widely considered to be the milkiest of them all. A Latte consists of 1 shot of espresso, topped up with about 2 parts steamed milk and finished off with a distinct layer of foam on the top.
What is a Cappuccino?
The Cappuccino is made up of the same basic elements as the Latte, but it is much foamier and has a less milky taste overall. The ratio is where the main difference comes in, as a Cappuccino is made with equal parts coffee, steamed milk, and foam to create a balanced and subtle mix of the three.
What is a Flat White?
The third most common option when it comes to milky coffees is the Flat White, and there is sometimes confusion about what separates it from the other two. A Flat White has a similar ratio of steamed milk to coffee as the latte, but unlike the Latte or the Cappuccino, it has no layer of foam on the top.
What is a Mocha?
For the sweet-toothed coffee drinkers, a Mocha is a wonderful option as it brings together the two worlds of coffee and hot chocolate. There are different versions of the Mocha, but usually, it consists of a Cappuccino with the addition of chocolate flavour, either through a powder, a syrup or melted chocolate.
What is an Affogato?
Often you will find the Affogato listed amongst the desserts rather than in with the beverages, as it is not necessarily considered to be a drink. The Italian word “affogato” means “drowned” in English, which suits this dessert well as it is essentially a single scoop of vanilla ice cream drowned in a shot of espresso.
What About Filter Coffee?
All of the abovementioned coffees use the espresso shot at their core, but that is not the only option. Filter coffees, whether from a cafetiere, a pour over, or an auto-drip, are made in larger quantities by allowing the coffee grounds to soak in water before filtering and are traditionally a robust and versatile option on the menu.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.