Nowadays, there are so many different types of coffee drink available in cafés that the menus hung up to supposedly provide the customer with a choice are often more confusing and intimidating than useful. Brimming with fancy yet foreign terms such as ‘affogato’ and ‘ristretto’, attempting to select a new drink has become an odious task for the humble coffee shop-goer. Yet fear not. You no longer need to stick to your regular skinny latte because below is a basic but valuable guide to assist in discovering your new favourite beverage.
1. The simple espresso
If you order an espresso, you will be presented with a shot of strong coffee made by forcing almost boiling water under pressure through ground coffee beans. It is topped with something called ‘crema’ which is merely creamy foam with an elegant name.
2. The slightly less simple macchiato
A macchiato is merely an espresso with a very small amount of milk. Easy.
3. The humble Americano
Americanos are a single of double-shot of espresso brewed with added hot water. Ask for a white Americano/Americano with milk (either hot or cold) for no extra cost if black coffee isn’t really your thing.
4. The common latte
You probably already know this old friend well, but lattes are a single or double-shot of espresso served in either a tall glass or cup filled with steamed milk and a small layer of foamed milk to top it all off. A piccolo/piccolo latte is just a mini latte with the same ratios.
5. The ever so slightly less common cappuccino
The cappuccino varies from its cousin, the latte, in that it boasts a thicker layer of milk foam on its surface. It is also frequently served with cocoa dusted on top.
6. The hipster flat white
Again, very similar to a latte, in particular its little counterpart the piccolo. It is typically served in a smaller cup and the steamed milk added to the one or two shots of espresso here is fancily referred to as ‘microfoam’: basically the same steamed milk found in the previous two drinks yet with tiny bubbles which provides a more velvety texture. The taste of coffee is usually stronger and you’re not made to spoon foam off the top before you can access your drink, but you do often have to shell out an extra 20 or 30p to afford such edginess (they’re still my favourite).
7. The typical introduction to coffee for non-coffee drinkers, the mocha
Mochas are like chocolatey lattes, or hot chocolates with added espresso, however you like to think of it. They consist of espresso, hot milk, and chocolate in the form of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup, which can be either milk, dark, or white.
8. The weird but exciting affogato
Affogato is technically an Italian dessert rather than a drink as it consists of vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of coffee, but if it’s on the drinks menu, there’s less guilt involved.
9. The less weird but less exciting cortado
This is espresso coffee mixed with a similar amount of warm, dense milk, and is most popular in the regions of Spain, Portugal and Latin America. Exotic.
10. The rare ristretto
Ordering a ristretto will provide you with a short shot of espresso with the same amount of coffee but extracted with half the amount of water. Basically small and sharp.
11. The equally rare lungo
Sister to the ristretto, a lungo is the opposite with a short shot of espresso but much more water, thus creating a bigger coffee.
So there we have it. After such extensive research, I must admit that flat whites remain top of the list for me. I will forever be enthralled by their microfoam and unmistakeable smooth, velvety texture. But at least now we all have the knowledge and training, should we choose to use it, to be that person who waltzes up to the bar and throws a fancy Italian term at the barista, thus portraying our high standards and tastes before a room full of people sipping lattes. Faithful and reliable old friends, but boring nonetheless.
Photo sources:
(cover photo) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/small-kitchen-applianc…
http://zaiqatv.com.pk/what-a-cup-of-coffee-looks-like-around-the-world/
http://www.starbucks.com.sg/menu/beverages/espresso-beverages/caffè-americano
https://wall.alphacoders.com/by_sub_category.php?id=229140
https://www.linkedin.com/topic/mocha
https://www.nespresso.com/ultimate-coffee-creations/au/en/175COF-coffee-…