Are you a coffee pro or just getting started? Either way, 'All Espresso Drinks Explained' is here to help you understand all the different types of espresso drinks you can find at cafes.
All Espresso Drinks
It's a straightforward guide to all those coffee names and what they really mean, making your next coffee choice easy and fun!"
Black Coffee Varieties
Single Espresso (Espresso Solo):
Volume: 20-30 milliliters (ml) or grams.
Description: A concentrated coffee serving in a small cup. It's a potent brew with a rich taste and velvety crema on top.
Brewing: It involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure in an espresso machine.
Double Espresso (Espresso Doppio):
Volume: Double that of a single espresso.
Description: Twice the amount of coffee and water as a single shot, providing a stronger and larger drink while maintaining the intensity.
Brewing: Same method as a single espresso, but with double the coffee grounds and water.
Americano:
Volume: Typically 100-120 ml of water added to a single shot of espresso.
Description: A diluted espresso, offering a milder intensity but retaining the rich espresso flavor.
Brewing: Espresso shot is poured over hot water or vice versa, resulting in a diluted but aromatic cup.
Lungo:
Volume: Usually 30-40 grams.
Description: An 'elongated' espresso where more water is passed through the coffee grounds, extracting more flavor and resulting in a slightly less concentrated version of espresso.
Brewing: Similar to espresso but with a longer extraction time.
Filter Coffee (Batch Brew):
Volume: Varies significantly depending on the brewing method.
Description: A milder, often more nuanced coffee flavor, brewed with methods that allow for a larger volume and extended contact time between water and coffee.
Brewing: Can vary from pour-overs to batch brewers, allowing for different taste profiles.
Milk Coffee Varieties
Espresso Macchiato:
Volume: Single shot of espresso with a spot of milk.
Description: Espresso with a small amount of frothed milk on top. The name "macchiato" means "marked" or "stained," referring to the espresso marked with milk.
Brewing: A single shot of espresso "marked" with a dollop of steamed milk foam.
Cortado (or Piccolo):
Volume: Typically served in 100-120 ml cups.
Description: Balanced beverage with equal parts espresso and warm milk to cut the acidity while maintaining the strength.
Brewing: Espresso mixed with an equal amount of warm, lightly frothed milk.
Flat White:
Volume: Depends on the preference, typically smaller than a latte.
Description: Known for its velvety texture, it's a coffee drink with a higher ratio of coffee to milk. It emphasizes the coffee flavor while being creamier than a latte or cappuccino.
Brewing: Double shot of espresso with steamed milk and a small, fine microfoam.
Cappuccino:
Volume: Typically 150-200 ml total.
Description: A balanced trio of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy milk foam. It's known for its creamy texture and rich flavor, often served with cocoa powder or cinnamon on top.
Brewing: Equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, often with artistic milk foam patterns known as latte art.
Caffé Latte:
Volume: Usually served in larger cups around 300 ml.
Description: A milky drink with a mild coffee flavor, consisting of one part espresso to three or four parts steamed milk with a little foam on top.
Brewing: A single shot of espresso filled with a large amount of steamed milk.