Type of Coffee You Should Know Before Ordering

The origin of coffee beans can be traced back to Ethiopia from where it was introduced to Europe. Though all forms of coffee begin with coffee beans, you can brew the drink with different types of equipment. Many countries follow traditional techniques of brewing the drink to which varying ratios of flavorings and liquids can be added. This gives rise to unlimited types of coffee having different combinations of milk, coffee, and sugar, some of which have been listed down below.

35 Differnt Type of Coffee

1. Cappuccino

This famous Italian coffee is an espresso-based java that is derived from an Austrian drink called kapuziner. It was concocted by Italians during the 1900s as the ideal morning coffee that can fill your system with a quick jolt of caffeine and can be drunk in a handful of gulps. You can make this coffee following a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. On skillful blending, the milk foam and steamed milk form layers over the espresso rather than blending into it. These layers visibly distinguish a cappuccino from other milk-based espresso coffees and also carry a more intense taste which imparts a creamier mouth feel. Often a cappuccino is steamed with chocolate or cinnamon powder which infuses a slightly sweet taste with a lightness from the foam.

2. Cortado

Cortado is the smaller variant of cappuccino having enough milk to cut the espresso with its acidity. You will have to blend in equal parts of espresso and milk to brew a cortado. Though the milk is steamed, it has little to no foam. The lack of froth prevents cortado from being as creamy as its peers mentioned in our list. However, the steamed milk blends in smoothly with the espresso without forming layers. Traditionally, a cortado is served in a small glass or metal tumbler without any latte art on top.

3. Latte

The lattes were invented for American tourists in Italy who disliked the strong taste of Italian cappuccino. It was fashioned to be a considerably milkier and less intense variant of cappuccino. Latte mainly contains espresso and steamed milk with a thin layer of foam on top. It is served in a glass as opposed to a mug. The high quantity of milk in the latte masks the flavor of espresso well. A latte is generally topped with microfoam and might be sprinkled with cocoa powder, cinnamon powder, or brown sugar.

4. Red Eye

The red eye is a very strong drink that combines coffee with more coffee. This secret menu item was originally launched at Starbucks but can now be found everywhere. The drink is just a cup of regular drip coffee with an additional shot of espresso on top. Despite having an intense punch of coffee, the sweet flavor of drip coffee blends in beautifully with bitter espresso to help you pull through an all-nighter.

5. Mocha

The mocha beans have a green and yellow tint which sets them apart from their brown-hued counterparts. This drink is made with coffee, cream, and chocolate which can serve as the perfect treat for your sweet tooth. Here you can choose between dark, milk, or white chocolate in varying forms like syrup, powder, and even just melted chocolate. The preparation method varies between baristas depending on whether they add milk froth, the type of chocolate used, and the mixing of the three ingredients. Nonetheless, this luscious drink is often sweetened with cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, or other caramel or peppermint syrups.

6. Raf

Various baristas have played with the recipe of Raf through the years with the modern recipe being a shot of espresso, a tablespoon each of vanilla sugar, plain sugar, and a splash of cream. However, rather than layering the ingredients one after another in a cup, they are served after being steamed together in a pitcher. This results in a silky and glossy coffee that is on the sweeter side.

7. Macchiato

The super-strong macchiato can help you power through afternoon slumps. It carries a shot of espresso with a dash of milk which mellows down its intensity. Macchiato has the highest ratio of espresso to milk with only a tablespoon or two of foamed milk added to the espresso shot.

8. Cold Brew

Cold brew is a rare exception to the normalized iced coffee recipe as it doesn’t use ice or hot water in the brewing process. It is made by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature or cold water at least for 12 hours. With time, the oil, caffeine, and sugar from the grounds seep into the water to produce a refreshing and smooth-tasting coffee. The coffee has a low acidity count and adding milk on top simply makes it smoother.

9. Espresso Con Panna

This beverage makes the best of sugar and caffeine. It is a shot of espresso served with a swirl of whipped cream on top. If you are searching for a quick caffeine kick then you can brew a shot of hot espresso by ditching the sugar with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

10. Café Cubano

A Café Cubano is brewed using a stovetop espresso maker to produce a foamy layer on top called espuma. Once the espuma forms, the remaining brewed coffee is poured atop resulting in a creamy, thick, sweet, and syrupy dark-colored café Cubano.

11. Espresso Romano

While the name suggests this brew to be a product of Rome, several other countries including the U.S and France lay claim to the coffee. This type of brew refers to a range of hot, cold, and iced coffees featuring lemon. The acidic nature of lemon with sharp citrus flavor intensifies the bold taste. Finally, sugar is added to cut the flavor of the lemon.

12. Nitro

This relatively new addition to the coffee world draws inspiration from the technique used by people for brewing beers at home. For making this coffee, nitrogen gas is infused into a cold brew using a pressure valve. The gas imparts a silky texture to the brew while preventing its flavor from decomposing.

13. Turkish Coffee

Türk kahvesi or Turkish coffee is brewed in a unique metal pot where the coffee is let to boil till it is just about to spill before being served in a standard-sized cup. For making this frothy and lightly textured drink, boiling water, sugar, and extra fine coffee are ground together. Since the coffee is served unfiltered, a good amount of coffee grounds are at the bottom of the cup.

14. Piccolo Latte

Piccolo latte refers to a small latte that was created by Australian baristas who wanted to test what their coffee tasted like with milk throughout the day. This drink is made from a standard shot of espresso and two parts of steamed milk that are blended smoothly into the coffee and topped with a tiny layer of foam. A piccolo latte is around 3 to 4 ounces and is similar in size to macchiato and cortado.

15. Long Black

The difference between a Long Black and an Americano lies in its method of preparation. A shot of espresso is added to a cup filled with hot water for making Long Black whereas for making an Americano, hot water is added to a shot of espresso. This presents a lovely layer of froth atop the Long Black rendering a creamier mouthfeel. The less quantity of water imparts a more intense feel to the Long Black compared to an Americano.

16. Flat White

The flat white is an espresso-based coffee made using steamed milk and has a thin milk foam layer on the top. It contains a higher proportion of espresso to milk compared to a latte. Another difference from latte is the use of finely textured steamed milk called microfoam used in making Flat white compared to steamed milk used to make a latte.

17. Ca Phe Sua Da

A special cup-shaped filter called phin is used to brew cà phê s?a ?á where the coffee grounds are added to the phin chamber and hot water is poured on top. The coffee is allowed to drip slowly through the filter into a glass filled with condensed milk.

18. Frappé

This ice-blended beverage is made by adding instant coffee and cold water which is either shaken or blended vigorously leading to a frothy result that is served over ice.

19. Caffè Breve

This type of coffee has an entirely American origin and draws inspiration from the Italian latte. Caffè breve uses one-part whole milk and one part light cream which is steamed and added to coffee for producing a drink that is rich and creamy.  However, the high level of fat and cholesterol makes it a dessert coffee rather than a morning pick-me-up.

20. Bulletproof

It is made by blending one cup of brewed coffee with 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil and another tablespoon or two of unsalted butter or ghee till it turns creamy. Despite having a high count of fat and calories, bulletproof coffee serves as a low-carb meal replacement that offers the right degree of morning energy kick while keeping hunger pangs at bay.

21. Caffé doppio

Ask for a doppio if you wish to sound refined while ordering a double drink at the bar. Traditionally doppios don’t use any milk, sugar, cream, or flavor and are made with the same espresso-water ratio as standard caffe.

22. Galão

The traditional galão originated in Portugal and uses a Robusta and Arabica blend. This coffee drink is Portugal’s take on the standard latte. For making this drink, you will have to primarily make two ounces of espresso with a Moka pot or espresso machine. Next, you will have to heat 6 ounces of milk of your choice on medium-low heat while stirring it frequently till it attains a frothy texture. Both espresso and milk shall have to be combined in a mug and sweetened with honey or sugar as per your liking.

23. Caffé lungo

If you prefer your coffee strong and black, then you can order a caffé lungo. This beverage is made from the same amount of espresso grounds as a normal shot but contains more water. As a result, you will get to drink more coffee in volume carrying a less intense flavor compared to a beverage made with typically 30 to 45 millimeters of water.

24. Ristretto

The coffee flavor of an espresso ristretto is subtly different from standard shots. It is sweeter and brighter as the compound responsible for coffee’s flavors has relatively less time and water for dissolving with a shortened shot.

25. Affogato

If you wish to have your dessert while enjoying a dash of caffeine, then you can indulge in an Affogato. This dynamic union of flavors results when you pour a hot espresso shot over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can make it with any type of espresso – blonde, ristretto, and even decaf. The drink can be topped with caramel drizzle, chocolate, or crushed biscotti.

26. Café au Lait

Café au lait translates to coffee with milk and has its origin in France. This drink contains equal parts of brewed coffee and hot milk. Traditionally, Café au lait is made with French press-prepared coffee and steamed milk. This smooth and balanced beverage carries a mild coffee flavor and might seem quite plain compared to Café au lait.

27. Irish coffee

Irish coffee can serve as your ultimate ally during the long and cold winter nights. You can make delicious Irish coffee using two parts of fresh-brewed coffee with one part of blended Irish whiskey and demerara sugar as per your liking. The drink is topped with a thick blanket of whipped cream.

28. Vienna Coffee

For making a decadent Vienna coffee you will have to mix espresso shots with a heap of whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate. Traditionally, this drink is served in a tall handled glass. In some Vienna coffee variations, almond slivers or orange zest are used as a replacement for chocolate.

29. Quad shots

Quad shots are simply four standard espresso shots made all at once in a large portafilter. They are commonly served over ice in a large cup and might be combined with a sweetener or cream according to the drinker’s taste. The flavor notes shall depend on the variety of beans used and the barista’s skill level.

30. Drip/brewed coffee

A cup of plain brewed coffee might define morning comfort for most of us. Brewed coffee is less caffeinated than espresso. It is made by adding two tablespoons of ground coffee per six ounces of water. However, if you prefer a weaker taste, then you can subtract a tablespoon.

31. Freddo

Get a step closer to Greece with this cherished iced coffee. You can make either Freddo cappuccino or Freddo espresso. For making the espresso variant, you have to blend a double shot of espresso, sugar, and ice for creating a smooth and sweet drink. You can make Freddo cappuccino by following the same method as espresso but adding a cap of frothy textured milk over the top.

32. Americano

Americano Is a type of concentrated coffee requiring high water pressure and dark roasted, finely-ground beans. They have a sweet taste courtesy of the fast-brewing time that allows more of the natural flavor compounds to escape dissolving. You will first have to pour the hot water for making an Americano up to two-thirds of a cup and then add one shot of espresso over the hot water.

33. Chicory

Chicory is a medicinal plant that bears resemblance to the taste of coffee on being roasted. You can make this drink from scratch with fresh chicory roots or buy the beans already blended with chicory. Chicory is slightly nuttier and earthier, a lot like hazelnuts.

34. Espresso martini

For making an espresso martini, you will have to combine two ounces of vodka, one ounce of espresso, one-half ounce of coffee liqueur, and one-half ounce of simple syrup in a shaker filled with ice. You will have to properly shake the drink and strain it into a chilled glass before garnishing it with coffee beans.

35. Mexican coffee

You can think of Mexican coffee to be a variant of Irish coffee with a bit more kick. For making this drink, you will require one ounce of coffee liqueur, one-half ounce of tequila, and five ounces of hot coffee. For a stronger coffee flavor, you can add some powdered cinnamon to the coffee grounds before brewing.

Different Coffee Brewing Methods

Whether you are trying to brew a new drink at home or understand the menu at a coffee shop, our detailed guide can help you with the same. There was a time when we used to simply drink “coffee.” But new techniques and brewing methods have added to the options for catering to the taste buds of coffee addicts around the globe.