Common Types Of Coffee Drinks: Everything You Need To Know
Coffee is special in that it can be brewed so many different ways. Each one of these brew types results in different flavors and strengths. The versatility of coffee is just one of the many reasons why coffee is great and ranked one of the most popular beverages in the world. However, it can be overwhelming when you are standing at the counter of your favorite coffee shop and don't know the difference between the types of coffee.
Fear not fellow coffee-lover! Below are the most common types of coffee and descriptions of how they are brewed and what they taste like.
Types of Coffee
Black
Ah, yes. The classic black coffee. This is coffee that has been brewed with hot water and served with no additions to it. It has an earthy bitterness and warmth to it that coffee drinkers love. It's simple, but timeless.
Latte
A latte is a hot drink with espresso and steamed milk, usually with a layer of milk foam on the top. Lattes are highly customizable with different flavors and some cafes also serve them cold with ice.
Espresso
Espresso is a key ingredient to many types of coffee found on this list. The word "espresso" can be used to describe both the drink and the method of brewing. Espresso is stronger than regular black coffee and is served in smaller servings.
Americano
Americano is made by adding hot water to espresso. This dilutes the strength of the espresso to be similar to traditionally brewed coffee, although the taste is much more robust.
Macchiato
The macchiato is espresso added to a small amount of milk. This adds a creaminess to the espresso without diluting too much of the natural flavor.
Flat White
A flat white is similar to a latte in that it is espresso and steamed milk. The difference between the two is found in the amount of foam and the espresso-to-milk ratio. Flat whites only have a thin layer of foam on top and have more espresso than a latte. This allows the espresso flavor to come through stronger.
Mocha
Delicious and decadent, mocha is espresso, milk, and chocolate combined together. The sweetness of the chocolate balances perfectly with the bitterness of the espresso. It's a rich, creamy, super yummy drink that has always been a crowd favorite.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is a type of coffee brewed by adding coffee grounds to cold water and letting it steep for 12-24 hours at room temperature. Cold brew coffee is booming in popularity due to naturally sweeter flavor and less acidity than other coffees.