Maybe you are a coffee connoisseur and know your Arabica from your Robusta beans, your macchiato from your Americano and how to order your favourite coffee on the continent. First, though, grab yourself a cup of your favourite then put your feet up and read all about this popular drink.
So Much Choice
There are so many coffee options to choose from. There is your classic caffè latte, the ever-popular cappuccino, the trend-led Dalgona and the decadent Vienna. Whether you like something sugary sweet or bold and pure, there is always a coffee to suit your mood. That’s not to say that the coffee you drink now will be the same coffee you always enjoy. For many, as they get older, their tastes change. Where once you would have chosen a caramel latte, perhaps now you no longer like as much milk and prefer a stronger taste, opting instead for a rich and intense Italian espresso. Maybe your cappuccino has been replaced by an Americano coffee first thing in the morning. The good news is, most coffee machines now can make all different types of coffee-based drinks!
Espresso
The Espresso is the Italian grandmaster of coffee, believed to have been invented by Angelo Moriondo in 1901. Rich, strong and just pure coffee, espresso is delivered as a single or double shot and is created by driving high pressured steam through the coffee grounds. It conjures up images of Italians sat outside on the Piazza reading their paper and enjoying their morning coffee.
It’s not only in Italy that you will find this drink being made, but also across Southern Europe is a popular choice of coffee in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Southern France. With more caffeine per unit than most other coffees, it is served as a short drink and forms the basis of many other coffees such as the latte, cappuccino, mocha, flat white etc.
The espresso is for the hardcore coffee drinkers, those that like a straight shot to hit the spot. Not to be savoured for too long, its small volume means that it will be cold if you take your time. Coffee in a hurry? Espresso is the coffee of choice.
Cappuccino
Also espresso-based, a cappuccino is all about the perfect ratio. In this instance, it’s equal layered parts of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. Loved by Italians as a breakfast drink, for an extra special treat you can top your cappuccino with chocolate shavings too.
The name originates from the Capuchin friars of Italy and the colour of their habits while the drink can be traced back to the 17th century where it was served as ‘kapuziner’ in the Viennese coffee houses. The average size of a cappuccino is typically 180ml while a latte is larger at 200-300ml.
If you like your coffee somewhere in between hard core and as milky as it comes, then the cappuccino is the choice for you. Choose to add coffee powder to the top for an additional treat.
Caffè Latte
One of the more diluted forms of coffee in terms of the amount of milk, a latte contains the same parts as a cappuccino but the ratio is much different. Translated from Italian, it simply means coffee with milk. A latte is made up of one-third espresso, two-thirds of steamed milk and just a little milk foam added on top. Soothing and sweet, a latte is often served in a taller cup, often a glass mug, than a cappuccino.
Be careful when ordering a latte in Italy though as the literal translation is ‘milk’ and you will end up being served a glass of milk. Make sure you prefix your latte with the word ‘caffe’ or face disappointment and some strange looks. For a short coffee, opt for a café macchiato (this means ‘milk marked with espresso’). You will be served a shot of espresso with a touch of milk. A great alternative if you’re not quite ready for the impact of an espresso.
Interestingly order an ‘Americano’ in Italy, will get you an aperitif unless you put the word ‘caffe’ in front of it.
Macchiato
Stronger than a cappuccino, a macchiato is bold and beautiful, with its shot of espresso served with a topping of foamed milk. Translated from Italian, macchiato means ‘marked’ and that’s exactly what you get. An espresso that’s literally stamped with a wonderful dollop of milk foam. Of course, as mentioned above, this is how you order a latte in Italy, or at least a coffee with milk as you won’t get quite as much milk as you may expect with a latte.
The macchiato originates from demonstrating to serving waiters the difference between espresso and espresso with milk. The literal translation is ‘marked’. Of all of the coffees served with milk, the macchiato has the least amount of milk ratio to espresso so if you like your coffee with a dash of milk, this is the one to choose.
Americano
Different to espresso in the way that it’s made, an Americano is a shot of espresso with boiling water added afterwards. In Italy, this is what’s known as a regular black coffee. The addition of the hot water makes it a less concentrated flavour than an espresso. When ordering a ‘normal’ black coffee in a coffee house, one is usually referring to an Americano, or at least that is what you will be served.
Not to be confused with regular coffee, an Americano coffee is an espresso with boiling water while a regular coffee is usually made with ground coffee grinds and hot water. Similar in appearance, and identical to the naked eye, to a coffee connoisseur, the taste is very different and the quality of the coffee too.
But where did it come from? Well, one popular but unconfirmed tale is that American soldiers in Italy during WWII found the espresso too strong therefore would dilute it with boiling water. There are however reports, yet again unconfirmed, that the drink appears in literature prior to this. If you want milk with your Americano, you will have to ask for it as traditionally it is served black. A barista, when asked for an Americano will produce a black coffee unless otherwise told.
If an espresso is too short and strong for you, an Americano coffee will have the same amount of coffee, just more water. If you want an Americano with milk, you need to specify that you want milk. Just a splash - cold or hot - however you prefer.
Flat White
Silky and uncomplicated, the flat white is a more modern drink, originating in New Zealand or Australia, depending on which story you believe! Using less milk than a latte, the flat white has a higher coffee ratio and is traditionally made with whole milk. Strong, smooth and easy to drink, the name comes from the steamed milk and refined line of micro foam used on top. The key to a great flat white is in the blending.
Traditionally served in a ceramic cup with a saucer, the key to this drink is the cream being coaxed into the meniscus. This results in a dark brown colour which is uniform across the top of the beverage which should be allowed to stand before drinking. Similar to the Spanish ‘café con leche’, the drink was not exported to the UK until 2005 and later introduced in popular coffee houses from 2010.
When ranking in order of strength and milkiness, we would say that the coffees with milk follow this order from strongest to weakest:
- Macchiato
- Flat white
- Cappuccino
- Caffe Late
Each cup above will have the same amount of coffee but it’s the amount of milk that will vary.
Mocha
Also known as a mochaccino, the mocha is an espresso with milk and the addition of chocolate. Typically the chocolate is cocoa powder and sugar however, this has now evolved to becoming chocolate syrup in many coffee houses. One might describe it as a hot chocolate with a shot of espresso and for those that have a sweet tooth but enjoy a coffee, it is the perfect choice.
In addition to milk chocolate, you can also get white chocolate mocha and other variations on the theme. It’s not just served hot with many people choosing the cold, iced option. The name of this popular drinks originates from the city of mocha in Yemen which was a centre of early coffee trade.
Additional Styles of Coffee
While those above are the ones you will find listed on boards around popular coffee houses, there are lesser known styles of coffee which include:
- Doppio: a double espresso designed to put an extra spring in your step
- Cortado: a perfect balance of espresso and warm milk - somewhere between a macchiato and a flat white
- Red Eye: A hot coffee with an extra shot of espresso to give you a much needed wake-up call
- Irish: this drink is a popular after dinner drink and is sure to warm you up. It consists of black coffee, whiskey and sugar topped with whipped cream.
- Affogato: add a scoop of ice-cream, a shot of espresso and serve over a chocolate brownie. Now that’s our kind of coffee!
Iced Coffees
Iced coffee, Cold Brew, Nitro, Frappuccino… these are all popular types of iced coffees that you will find in coffee houses and make a refreshing alternative to a hot coffee in the summer months or year round if you prefer.
There may be some that we have missed and there are undoubtedly other coffee based drinks that exist in other cultures. What’s your favourite coffee and why? We’d love to hear from you.
