World of Coffee! You are not alone if you find it impossible to imagine life without coffee. Although we are a country of coffee lovers, when it comes to experimenting with new flavors, our taste buds frequently go toward the known. But there are a variety of coffee types out there that you could be missing out on if you stick with what you already know.
Keep scrolling for a simple guide to different types of coffee, starting with the most popular coffee bean varietals. You could be motivated to change your café order or even make some creative beverages at home!
Types of Coffee Beans
Coffee beans, which are the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, are used to make brewed beverage coffee. The final cup you will drink will differ in flavor and scent depending on the type of bean used, where it was acquired from, and how it was roasted. Arabica and Robusta are the two major types of coffee beans you'll encounter. What's the difference, then?
Arabica
You may have come across coffee bags marked "100% Arabica." The most common bean used to make coffee is Arabica. When compared to Robusta beans, Arabica beans are considered to be of higher quality and cost more. They produce coffee with a softer, sweeter flavor.
Robusta
Because the Robusta plant is easier to grow, Robusta beans are often less expensive to manufacture. They taste more bitter than Arabica beans and contain more caffeine. Espresso and instant coffee blends frequently contain these beans.
Types of Hot Coffee Drinks
Black Coffee
Quite simple here: Black coffee is brewed hot from plainly ground coffee beans. It is provided without additional milk, sugar, or flavorings.
Decaf
Although coffee beans naturally contain caffeine, roasters may almost completely remove it using a variety of techniques. These decaffeinated beans are used to make decaf coffee. Decaf coffee delivers a good taste with less caffeine; thus, it is popular among many people.
Espresso
The majority of people are aware that an espresso shot is stronger than an equivalent amount of coffee, but what precisely is the distinction? Although the beans used to produce espresso aren't fundamentally different from those used to make coffee, they are ground more finely and prepared with a higher grounds-to-water ratio. The outcome is a liquid that is thicker, more concentrated and has a stronger taste. A single espresso is a one-ounce shot. It serves as the basis for well-known coffee shops' beverages like lattes and cappuccinos.
Latte
Although the classic proportions of this drink are usually 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk with a small coating of foam on top, coffee shops have developed what seems like unlimited variants. Try flavored syrups like vanilla and pumpkin spice, or use oat milk to make a non-dairy alternative. The froth is frequently swirled into latte art by skilled baristas!
Cappuccino
This espresso-based beverage resembles a latte, except it has a larger frothy top layer. Espresso, steamed milk, and froth are combined in equal portions according to standard. It is frequently served in a 6-ounce cup, which is smaller than a latte cup and can include a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Macchiato
A macchiato is an espresso shot with a tiny bit of steamed milk or foam added. A caffè macchiato is a coffee that has been milk-stained since the word macchiato in Italian means "stained" or "spotted."
Americano
Although it's sometimes misunderstood as a simple black coffee, the americano is much more than that. Order this drink and you'll get a shot of espresso diluted with hot water.
Café au Lait
This elegant-sounding French beverage is quite easy to make: Coffee and heated or scalded milk are both used in equal proportions.
Cortado
This Spanish beverage is a blend of espresso and steamed milk. It has little to no foam, in contrast to many Italian coffee beverages. Usually, it is offered in a 4.5-ounce glass.
Flat White
This beverage is made with steamed milk and espresso, similar to a latte, but with a higher espresso-to-milk ratio. Additionally, baristas fold the milk while it steams to give it a velvetier texture. The flat white has New Zealand and Australian roots.
Mocha Latte
Sugar and chocolate, generally in the form of cocoa powder, melted chocolate, or syrup, are used to flavor this sweet variation on the latte.
Red Eye
Choose this two-in-one beverage when you need an extra caffeine boost: It is coffee with an espresso shot.
Irish Coffee
The ingredients for this beverage are black coffee, whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream on top. Irish coffee will be served in a distinctive toddy glass with a thick coating of cream, making it easy to identify.
Types of Cold Coffee Drinks
Iced Coffee
On a hot day (or any day, really), is there anything nicer than a glass of iced coffee? The easiest method to make it is: Make a standard cup of hot coffee and let it cool over ice. Whatever milk and sweeteners you choose, add them.
Iced Latte
Espresso, milk, and ice are all that are required to make a chilled version of a Latte.
Cold Brew
One of the most popular coffee trends in recent years is cold brew, and with good reason: Because it's created by gradually steeping coffee grounds over cool or room temperature water rather than by brewing it hot like conventional iced coffee, it has a smoother, less bitter flavor.
Nitro-Cold Brew
Modern coffee roasters used methods from the beer industry to produce this newer kind of cold brew: It has a frothy, beer-like texture because it is injected with nitrogen bubbles. Nitro cold brew is served from taps at trendy coffee shops, and you can purchase it in cans from companies like Starbucks and RISE Brewing Co.
Frappe
This term can be used to describe a number of blended with ice coffee and espresso beverages. The slushy-like beverages frequently include milk of some kind, flavoring syrup, and whipped cream on top.