coffee
We’re a nation of the coffee lovers, but when it comes to trying something new verity , to our taste buds often prefer to stick to what we know and love. But, by staying to what you know, that world be different coffee types you could be missing out on. So, that what are different types coffee, and what do they taste like that ?
we know that straying from your treasured brew can be a little daunting, which is why we’ve put together these series of guides explaining different types of coffee, so you can go in, fully clued up on what you might enjoy. From creamy cappuccinos to strong americanos, you never know that which types of coffee you might discover, one of them might become your new favorite…
TYPE OF COFFEE
Americano
Cortado
Mocha
Macchiato
Flat White
.Cappuccino
Espresso
1. WHAT IS AMERICANO ?
An americano is a single or double-shot of espresso combined with between 30 - 470ml of hot water .
Add a splash of milk if desired .
An americano is quite simply just hot water and espresso. It’ll either be served 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/3 espresso to 2/3 water, depending on the coffee shop in question or how you’ve chosen to brew it. There is dispute about whether the espresso or the water should be added first, but in the case of the americano, espresso should always be added first as the crema mixes in and creates a more mellow, even taste. But some people may add it depending on their personal preference. Whilst most other espresso-based coffee drinks include milk, such as the cappuccino or latte, the americano stands out amongst them.
What is an americano coffee made of?
An americano is just water and espresso. It’ll either be served 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/3 espresso to 2/3 water, depending on the coffee shop in question or how you’ve chosen to brew it. Traditionally, there will be no milk but some people may add it depending on their personal preference. Whilst most other espresso-based coffee drinks include milk, such as the cappuccino or latte, the americano coffee stands out amongst them.
Americano origins
The americano finds its origins in World War II. Interestingly, American soldiers stationed in Italy didn’t care for the very strong espresso that was favoured in the country, therefore they tried to recreate their beloved drip coffee from back home by adding water to the espresso shot. The result? The americano that we know and love today.
The americano also used to be iced. The process of making it was the same, but cold water was used instead and ice cubes were added.
2. What is a cortado coffee?
Unlike other coffee types the milk isn’t texturized and instead, Cortado coffee is made with lightly steamed milk, no froth or foam. The steamed milk on top reduces the acidity of the coffee and creates a micro-foam which doesn’t separate from the espresso, giving it a strong and rich flavor.
What a cortado coffee is made of
Cortado translates to cut, meaning that the coffee is cut with milk. A cortado coffee is made of equal parts espresso and steamed milk. It is served with a double shot espresso.
Cortado origins
ere’s not much known about the origins of the cortado, aside from the fact that it came from Spain’s Basque Country. It’s also popular in Portugal and Latin America, where it’s commonly enjoyed as an afternoon treat.
3. What is mocha coffee ?
Although a mocha is often interpreted differently across the world, the basis is that a shot of espresso is combined with a chocolate powder or syrup, followed by milk or cream. It is a variant of a latte, in the sense that it is often 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk. However, a chocolate flavor is added, and this can be milk or dark.
What does mocha mean?
Essentially, 'mocha' means a type of good quality coffee that is made from a specific coffee bean. The beans are from the plant species called Coffee Arabica, and it was originally only grown in Mocha, Yemen. It also means a mixture of coffee and chocolate, or a flavoring that tastes of this.
What a mocha is made of
Although a mocha is often interpreted differently across the world, the basis is that a shot of espresso is combined with a chocolate powder or syrup, followed by milk or cream. It is a variant of a latte, in the sense that it is often 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk. However, a chocolate flavor is added, and this can be milk or dark.
Mocha origin – where did it come from?
Now we understand what a mocha is, where exactly did it come from? It is believed that the drink was originally named after the mocha bean, which is a type of coffee bean shipped from the port of Al Mokka in Yemen. Mocha beans were known for their naturally chocolatey flavour. These days, the name mocha doesn’t reference these coffee beans as such, but rather the presence of added chocolate flavourings in the coffee drink.
4.What is a macchiato?
In Italian, the term "macchiato" translates as "marked" or "stained", meaning a stained or marked coffee. The macchiato is an espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk to allow the taste of the espresso to still shine through.
What a macchiato is made of
The macchiato is an espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk to allow the taste of the espresso to still shine through. A macchiato is perfect for those who find espresso too harsh in flavour, but a cappuccino too weak.
Macchiato origins
The origin of the name "macchiato" stems from baristas needing to show waiters the difference between an espresso shot and an espresso with a bit of milk in it. As the latter is "marked" or "stained" by the addition of milk, it was quickly given its name to highlight the addition.
Unlike the cappuccino, originally being created exclusively for that morning coffee, the macchiato is the perfect afternoon coffee
5.What is a flat white coffee?
A flat white is a blend of micro-foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso. This microfoam is steamed milk infused with air, to create a smooth and velvety texture and creamy taste. Precise pouring and steaming of the microfoam is essential in making a flat white
What a flat white coffee is made of
A flat white is a blend of micro-foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso. This micro foam is steamed milk infused with air, which creates tiny air bubbles, to create a smooth and velvety texture and creamy taste.
Flat white origin
The origins of the flat white coffee have caused a strong debate. Both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented the flat white in the 1980s. The answer is still unclear and it’s likely that the flat white evolved in both countries
6.What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino is the perfect balance of espresso, steamed milk and foam. This coffee is all about the structure and the even splitting of all elements into equal thirds. An expertly made cappuccino should be rich, but not acidic and have a mildly sweet flavoring from the milk. And, because the milk is not actually mixed in it gives the espresso a stronger flavor.
What a cappuccino is made of
A cappuccino is the perfect balance of espresso, steamed milk and foam. This coffee is all about the structure and the even splitting of all elements into equal thirds
Cappuccino origins
The cappuccino first came to Europe and America in 1980, around a similar time to the latte. Originating in Italy (as most good coffee does), lots of coffee from there has a name that when translated literally means how it’s made or what it includes – but the cappuccino is a little different. Apparently, the coloring of the espresso and frothed milk bore similarities to the hue of the Capuchin friar robes, and so, the wonderful beverage was dubbed the “cappuccino”.
7.What is an Espresso?
Espresso is a delicious concentrated form of coffee, served in shots and it’s often the coffee base of many other beverages, such as cappuccino, latte, americano and macchiato. An espresso is intense and bold, but nonetheless delicious, and the espresso is usually served in small demitasse-style cups for this reason
What is an Espresso coffee made of?
Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee, served in shots. It's made of two ingredients - finely ground, 100% coffee, and hot water. This method of brewing makes for a bold, rich, intense shot of coffee, which then forms the base of many other types of coffee drinks, such as a cappuccino, latte, americano and macchiato.
Espresso is not a type of coffee bean or a roasting style – a common misconception. It’s a process of brewing coffee and is instead made by forcing high-pressured hot water through very finely ground coffee beans. This is then topped with a crema, a brown foam, that adds the rich, full-flavored aftertaste. When made at home with hot water, it is the most basic form of Black Coffee.
Origins of the espresso
As with many famous coffee recipes, the espresso was invented in Italy, around 100 years ago, and is credited to a man by the name of Luigi Bezzera, from Milan. He was the first to use a steam-pressure method of brewing coffee, which produced a strong cup of coffee faster than ever before. In fact, the name "caffé espresso" translates to "pressed out coffee", referring to the water being pushed through the finely ground coffee at a very high pressure. Espresso became increasingly popular when the demand for coffee increased in the late 1800s and early 1900s. By the 1940s, the process of making espresso had been properly fine-tuned, creating the espresso known and used cross the world