Do you love coffee, but feel lost when you hear words like “latte”, “macchiato”, or “affogato”? Do you want to learn more about the different types of coffee drinks and how they are made? If so, this blog post is for you!
In this Coffee Lingo 101 guide, we will explain some of the most common coffee terms and what they mean. We will also give you some tips on how to order your favorite drink at a cafe, and how to make it at home with your own equipment.
Let’s get started!
Espresso
Espresso is the base of most coffee drinks. It is a concentrated shot of coffee that is brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. Espresso has a rich, strong, and slightly bitter flavor, and a layer of golden-brown foam on top called “crema”.
Espresso can be enjoyed on its own, or mixed with milk, water, or other ingredients to create different drinks. Here are some of the most popular espresso-based drinks:
- Americano: An Americano is made by adding hot water to espresso. It has a similar strength and flavor to drip coffee, but with more crema and aroma. The name comes from the American soldiers who drank this during World War II in Italy, when they wanted something less intense than espresso.
- Latte: A latte is made by adding steamed milk and a thin layer of foam to espresso. It has a creamy, smooth, and mild flavor, and is often flavored with syrups or spices. The name comes from the Italian word for “milk”.
- Cappuccino: A cappuccino is made by adding equal parts of steamed milk and thick foam to espresso. It has a frothy, airy, and slightly stronger flavor than a latte, and is often sprinkled with cocoa or cinnamon. The name comes from the Capuchin monks, whose brown robes resembled the color of this drink.
- Macchiato: A macchiato is made by adding a small amount of steamed milk and foam to espresso. It has a strong, bold, and slightly sweet flavor, and is usually served in a small cup. The name comes from the Italian word for “stained” or “marked”, as the milk leaves a mark on the espresso.
- Affogato: An affogato is a dessert drink made by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to espresso. It has a sweet, rich, and indulgent flavor, and is best enjoyed with a spoon. The name comes from the Italian word for “drowned”, as the ice cream melts into the espresso.
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is the most common way of making coffee at home or in cafes. It is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans in a filter-lined basket. The water drips through the coffee and into a pot or a cup. Drip coffee has a milder, smoother, and weaker flavor than espresso, and can be brewed in different ways. Here are some of the most common drip coffee methods:
- Batch Brew: Batch brew is an automatic drip method that is often seen in diners and convenience stores. It is convenient and fast, but can result in stale or burnt coffee if not consumed quickly.
- Pour Over: Pour over is a manual drip method that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a cone-shaped filter. It allows more control over the brewing process, and can produce a clean, balanced, and flavorful cup of coffee.
- French Press: French press is a manual drip method that involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water in a cylindrical pot with a plunger. It produces a full-bodied, rich, and slightly gritty cup of coffee, as the plunger does not filter out the fine particles of coffee.
- Cold Brew: Cold brew is a manual drip method that involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for several hours or overnight. It produces a smooth, sweet, and low-acid cup of coffee, that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Other Coffee Terms
Besides the types of coffee drinks and methods, there are also some other coffee terms that you might encounter in the coffee world. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Roast: Roast refers to the degree of heat and time that coffee beans are exposed to during the roasting process. Roasting affects the flavor, aroma, color, and caffeine content of coffee. Generally, there are three levels of roast: light, medium, and dark. Light roasts have more acidity, floral notes, and caffeine, but less body and sweetness. Medium roasts have more balance, complexity, and caramel notes, but less acidity and caffeine. Dark roasts have more body, bitterness, and chocolate notes, but less acidity, caffeine, and original flavor of the beans.
- Origin: Origin refers to the geographical location where coffee beans are grown. Origin affects the flavor, aroma, and quality of coffee. Generally, there are three main regions of origin: Africa, Asia, and Latin America. African coffees tend to have more fruity, floral, and wine-like flavors. Asian coffees tend to have more earthy, spicy, and nutty flavors. Latin American coffees tend to have more chocolate, citrus, and nutty flavors.
- Blend: Blend refers to the combination of two or more different types of coffee beans. Blending is done to create a balanced, consistent, and unique flavor profile. Blends can be based on roast, origin, or flavor. For example, a breakfast blend might be a light roast of Latin American and African beans, while a mocha blend might be a dark roast of Indonesian and Ethiopian beans.
- Single Origin: Single origin refers to coffee that is made from one type of coffee bean from one specific region or farm. Single origin coffee is usually more expensive, rare, and distinctive than blended coffee. Single origin coffee can showcase the unique characteristics and flavors of the beans, such as the soil, climate, altitude, and processing method of the origin.
- Acidity: Acidity refers to the sour or tangy sensation that coffee produces on the tongue. Acidity is influenced by the roast, origin, and brewing method of coffee. Acidity is not the same as pH level, which measures the actual acid content of coffee. Acidity is a desirable quality in coffee, as it adds brightness, complexity, and freshness to the flavor. However, too much acidity can also make coffee unpleasant or harsh.
- Body: Body refers to the weight or thickness of coffee in the mouth. Body is influenced by the roast, origin, and brewing method of coffee. Body is also related to the amount of oils and solids that are extracted from the coffee beans during the brewing process. Body can range from light to heavy, depending on the preference of the drinker. Light-bodied coffees are more watery, delicate, and refreshing, while heavy-bodied coffees are more creamy, dense, and satisfying.
We hope you enjoyed this Coffee Lingo 101 guide, and learned something new about coffee. Now you can confidently order your favorite drink at a cafe, or make it at home with your own equipment. You can also impress your friends and family with your coffee knowledge, and share your passion for this amazing beverage.
Remember, coffee is not just a drink, it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and an art. So, go ahead and explore the wonderful world of coffee, and discover your own personal taste and style.
Happy brewing! ☕️