Different Kinds Of Coffee
Walking up to the counter at the local coffee shop can be a little intimidating. Drink names like macchiato, cappuccino, Americano, cold brew; what’s the difference? Coffee is quite different than it used to be when you simply added some cream and sugar. It has evolved throughout the last couple of decades. Today, let’s discuss several kinds of coffee drinks that are quite popular.
Espresso
Some of the most popular coffee drinks start with espresso. An espresso is very strong by itself and is typically served in a small cup. You might hear someone who’s quite tired say, “I need a couple shots of espresso”. The rich, dark coffee drink is strong and loaded with caffeine to help give anyone a good boost of energy. Espresso based drinks are normally made with a combination of espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
Latte
One of the more popular espresso drinks is a latte. A latte is an espresso-based drink that is heavily milk based. It consists of espresso, a lot of steamed milk, and a little bit of foam. It is a coffee drink that many people add flavors to, such as mocha, white mocha, peppermint, pumpkin spice, or raspberry. It does not have a strong coffee flavor because it is mixed with steamed milk, so it would be recommended for those who do not prefer strong coffee drinks.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are similar to a latte and sometimes people confuse the two. The difference between them is that cappuccinos have more foam at the top of the cup than a latte. Cappuccinos consist of espresso, a little steamed milk, and the rest foam. They will have a stronger coffee flavor than a latte.
Mocha
Another popular drink is mocha. Mochas are basically chocolate lattes. Chocolate syrup is added while making the drink. It is a very sweet drink with a slight coffee flavor. White mochas are made with white chocolate instead of traditional milk or dark chocolate.
Macchiato
A macchiato is a shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk and foam on the top. Macchiato’s will have a stronger coffee flavor than a latte or cappuccino. Some people do add flavor to their macchiato.
Americano
Another drink you will see listed is an americano. Americanos are shots of espresso, depending on the size, mixed with hot water. Americano’s are a stronger coffee drink and are not very sweet. Of course, you are free to add sugar if you’d like.
Café Au Lait
Café au lait is a popular non espresso drink. Au laits are made with a rich, dark drip coffee instead of espresso. Steamed milk, like in espresso drinks, is added to the drip coffee. You can also add additional flavors if you like.
Customizing Coffee Drinks
Most of these drinks can be customized for your liking. Many coffee shops offer alternative milks like skim, soymilk, almond milk, and even oat milk. They can even be customized with different flavors, such as vanilla, hazelnut, and caramel. Lattes and mocha’s can be made iced for those who would prefer a cold drink.
Hopefully the next time you are at the coffee shop, you will feel a little more confident in ordering a drink. It is fun to try new drinks to see what you prefer. Different sized drinks will come with different amounts of espresso and you can even order extra shots of espresso if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor. You can always ask the barista for recommendations as well. Sometimes that’s the best way to go if you’re not sure what you want to try.
Enjoy your coffee!