Coffee has a little something for everyone, from black and bitter to light and sweet. When it comes to making, or ordering a coffee that’s just right for you, it helps to have a basic understanding of various types of coffee.
Chances are, even the most passionate coffee lovers won’t taste every style and type of coffee in their lifetime. However, knowing what’s out there will make tasting, ordering, and preparing coffee a much better experience.
This coffee guide is dedicated to understanding the basics, as well as an in depth look, of each type of coffee throughout the world.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Coffee.
| Types of Coffee | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Types of Black Coffee | Types of Milk-Based Coffees | Types of Cold Coffees | Types of Exotic Coffees |
| Espresso | Flat White | Cold Brew Coffee | Kopi Luwak |
| Doppio | Cappuccino | Japanese Iced Coffee | Geisha Coffee |
| Ristretto | Latte | Affogato | |
| Americano | Caffe Breve | Irish Coffee | |
| Drip Coffee | Macchiato | ||
| Pour Over Coffee | Latte Macchiato | ||
| Long Black | Mocha | ||
| Immersion Coffee | |||
| AeroPress Coffee | |||
| Instant Coffee | |||
| Turkish Coffee | |||
Black Coffee
Here’s one that we all know. This type of coffee is any combination of water and coffee with no added flavors (cream, milk, or honey).
Espresso
The Italian Diva among coffees made by forcing high-pressure steam through grounded coffee beans. Result? Thick coffee texture with a delicious foam on top.
Doppio
Meaning “double” in Italian is a simple double espresso shot and it is made by coffee passing through the portafilter with a double spout.
Ristretto
This is a type of a so-called “short” espresso. It is made just like a regular espresso but using half the amount of water.
Americano
Whoever prefers a bit lighter texture of espresso – voilà! Americano is a weaker espresso with a more substantial amount of water, served in a big coffee cup.
Drip Coffee
Drip coffee is a strong one made during a slow process of dripping boiling water over ground coffee.
Pour Over Coffee
An authentic piece of art! This type of coffee is made by continuously refreshing the water surrounding the grounded coffee. Three phases of this process add to the unique taste and quality of the coffee.
Long Black
A stronger version of Americano is made by pouring two shots of espresso over a small amount of water.
Immersion Coffee
A joy that makes time to make – this type of beverage is made by dipping the grounds into boiling water where they steep for some time. This makes the final taste richer.
AeroPress Coffee
A peculiar taste of this type of coffee is accomplished by using a special device. By placing a paper filter in the tube, coffee is steeped for about one minute and then pressed through the filter with a plunger.
Instant Coffee
Easy & quick – this coffee is made by simply pouring the desired amount of hot water over the coffee powder and stirring until dissolves.
Turkish Coffee
Traditional Turkish Coffee is prepared in a pot called dzezva (cezve). The water is heated in the pot until it boils, then the ground coffee is put inside. After steering a bit, it is often quickly reheated just to get an extra cream on the top. Remains of the coffee powder will stay in your cup as the coffee is not filtered.
Milk Based Coffee
These types of coffees are perfect for consuming in the afternoon or evening hours due to the lower concentration of acidity and caffeine. Milk just ads an extra touch.
Flat White
This is, Ladies and Gentlemen, very much consumed beverage, consisting of espresso with a lower amount of steamed milk that acts as a side taste.
Cappuccino
Famous coffee with even more iconic crema contains 1/3 of espresso and the same measure of foamed milk and steamed milk. One of the better known Coffee Drink Recipes is the cappuccino and consists of espresso 1 ounce (25-30ml), which is then topped with frothed hot milk in a 5 ounce (150ml) tall glass or mug. The name stems probably from the Capuchin friars meaning “small cap” and refers to the perfect shade of brown color of their habits.
Latte
Latte is coffee where milk takes over the stage, dominating over the taste of espresso. We could say it’s a form of Cappuccino with more milk.
Caffe Breve
This is an American version of Latte and it is made of ¼ espresso, ½ steamed milk and ½ milk foam. Steamed milk is there to add the volume of the foam.
Macchiato
Italian word meaning mottled. A simple one – an espresso shot with a dash of milk. Or if you want to be a little more exact: 1 ounce (25-30ml) with a dash of frothed milk in a small cup 1.6 – 2 ounce (50-60ml).
Latte Macchiato
If we would translate it from Italian, the meaning gives us a unique name – stained milk. Latte Macchiato is a glass of milk that you stain by pouring espresso over it. It is served in a tall glass, where all the layers are visible – milk on the bottom, espresso in the middle and foam on the top.
Mocha
We get this magic by adding foamed milk to espresso and an additional flavor on the top. It is usually choco syrup or cocoa powder sprinkled with cinnamon. You can always play with aromas of all kinds.
Cold Coffees
We can call it two in one – a refreshing drink as well as coffee. These coffees are either brewed cold or made hot and later on cooled with cold milk, ice, or ice cream.
Cold Brew Coffee
This is an excellent choice for anyone who prefers lower levels of caffeine in their coffee. It takes a bit more time to make this type of drink, as the ground coffee is mixed with cold water and left overnight in the fridge. After that, the mixture is strained and served.
Japanese Iced Coffee
The trick with this one is ice! The process includes brewing the coffee in hot water and straight after pouring the ice over it – fast contact with ice releases the flavors that usually take hours to be extracted.
Exotic Coffees
Kopi Luwak
One of the most expensive coffees in the world comes from the intestines of a cute Asian animal – palm civet. They eat coffee cherries that ferment during digestion and later on are collected by farmers.
Geisha Coffee
Currently, one of the most exotic, insanely expensive coffees in the world comes from Ethiopia. Last year it reached a price of $803 per pound! It is believed it is so valuable due to the very complicated procedure of cultivation of the plant it comes from. This coffee has a flowery, fruit-like flavor, often with a hint of mango, guava, papaya, or citrus.
Affogato
We could easily call this coffee a trait. It is actually a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass with a shot of hot espresso poured over it. It can, also, be served with a shot of amaretto.
Irish Coffee
A divine mix of coffee, whiskey and sugar – this is what Irish Coffee is.
Making Types of Espresso Coffees
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Caffe macchiato(Italian word meaning mottled) |
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CappuccinoOne of the better known Coffee Drink Recipes is the cappuccino and consists of espresso 1 ounce (25-30ml), which is then topped with frothed hot milk in a 5 ounce (150ml) tall glass or mug. The name stems probably from the Capuchin friars meaning “small cap” and refers to the perfect shade of brown color of their habits. |
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Caffe corretto(from the Italian meaning corrected or proper). |
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Caffe latteThis milk coffee is often drunk for breakfast in a tall glass or mug. It consists of a double espresso topped with hot milk. Frothed milk is seldom use. |
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Caffe lungo(from the Italian word meaning long or stretched). |
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Caffe ristretto(ital. limited, restricted). |
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Latte macchiatoOne of the most popular Coffee Drink Recipesis served in a tall glass the espresso is also an ingredient in this drink which consists of three layers. |
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Caffe AmericanoAn espresso mixed with the same or double amount of hot water. The general opinion is that this method replaces the filtered coffee. |
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Caffe freddo(ital. for cold) |
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Cortado(from the Spanish cortar, meaning cut or clipped) |
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Carajillo(from Spanish coraje, meaning courage) |
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Cafe con hieloThis is also a spanish variety meaning” with ice”. |
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BombonAnother spanish speciality. This coffee drink speciality is served hot in a small glass. |
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