A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Coffee

What's the difference between a cappuccino and a cortado?

You might be dependent on the caffeinated drink like yours truly or enjoy sipping the occasional cup, but do you know what sets a latte apart from a flat white or why a ristretto differs from an espresso shot?

In light of International Coffee Day, which falls on October 1, we've put together a guide detailing the components of your cup of choice.

Shots and Black Coffee

Above Photo: Deniele Jesus/ Getty Images

Espresso

Also known as a short black, a single shot of espresso consists of 30ml of concentrated coffee. Hot water is forced through finely ground beans, resulting in an intense and flavoursome beverage.

Doppio

Translating into double in Italian, a doppio or double espresso consists of 60ml of concentrated coffee. It has the same pressure and brew time as the single espresso.

Lungo

To create a lungo, which means long in Italian, water passes through ground beans for a longer period of time, creating a beverage that is less strong but more bitter.

Ristretto

A ristretto is extracted with half the output of water compared to an espresso, resulting in a sweeter and less bitter shot with a more concentrated flavour.

Americano

An Americano is typically made with two espresso shots which are diluted with hot water. The name originated during World War II when American soldiers in Italy added water to their espresso to make the drink last longer.

Long Black

To craft a long black, a double shot of espresso is poured over water instead of the other way around. This results in more crema, which is the creamy layer that floats above an espresso shot, created when the oils from coffee beans are emulsified with water. As a result, long blacks are stronger in flavour than Americanos.

Milk-Based Coffee

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Latte

Moving on to coffee with the addition of milk, a latte has the base of a single or double shot of espresso, which is then combined with steamed milk in a 1:2 espresso to milk ratio. A layer of frothed milk sits atop the steamed milk.

Flat White

A flat white has a more compact volume than a latte, and is typically served in a smaller cup. The name of the drink refers to the nearly absent layer of microfoam on the surface of the drink, which has a stronger espresso flavour due to a higher coffee to milk ratio.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino is made with one part espresso, one part textured milk, and one part froth and is often finished with a sprinkle of chocolate powder. A thick layer of microfoam sits above the drink, providing a luxurious, velvety texture.

Short Macchiato

A short macchiato is made with a single espresso shot topped with a small amount of hot steamed milk and a dollop of microfoam. Macchiato means stained, referring to the mark the milk makes on the espresso.

Long Macchiato

Similar to a short macchiato, a long macchiato is made with a double shot of coffee, before being topped with a teaspoon of milk and a dollop of foam.

Cortado

A cortado is made from equal amounts of espresso and steamed milk, resulting in a lower acidity than a macchiato.

Piccolo Latte

With a name that translates into a small latte, a piccolo latte is made from a ristretto shot rather than an espresso shot, before being topped with steamed milk.

Sweeter Varieties

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Mocha

The mocha is made with the addition of chocolate powder or syrup to a latte, resulting in a richer and more indulgent drink.

Affogato

An affogato is crafted by topping a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream with a double shot of hot espresso.

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Topics

coffee International Coffee Day 2022 espresso

Tatler Asia

International Coffee Day 2022: How Well Do You Know Your Coffee?

Shots and Black Coffee

Milk-Based Coffee

Sweeter Varieties