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Coffees - 17 most famous coffees explained
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Where you used to just get a mug of filter coffee, the selection at any coffee bar these days is overwhelming. At a specialty coffee bar, you can really go wild with dozens of different coffees. Whether you're a fan of coffees with milk, iced, or just plain black, the sky's the limit.
I almost always choose a light roast coffee, brewed as a slow coffee with a Hario V60 or Aeropress, for example. You usually pay a bit more for this than an espresso or Americano, but it also requires a lot more work from the barista.
It makes sense, actually. They also often use coffees with an exceptional and complex flavor profile that really tickles your taste buds. The funkier, the better! If you ask me.
I can imagine all this choice can be quite overwhelming. There are coffee varieties based on filter coffee brewed with, for example, an Aeropress, Hario V60 , or a Chemex.
But the vast majority of coffees you'll find in a coffee bar are espresso- based.
The difference between espresso and filter coffee lies in the extraction, but I'll get to that later. Anyway, it can be quite complex.
That's why I've created a handy overview for you, listing the 17 most popular coffee varieties. I'll start with all the espresso-based coffees. Then I'll discuss all the milk-based coffees (including espresso-based ones).
Next, I'll cover the filter coffee varieties, and finally, I'll explain all the iced coffees in more detail. That way, you'll know exactly what to order the next time you visit your favorite coffee shop.
All types of coffee
Coffee types with espresso as a base
'Black' coffees
As I briefly explained in the introduction, most coffees you'll find in coffee shops are based on a single or double espresso shot. By adding some hot water, for example, you get an Americano.
Espresso-based black coffees always have a distinct coffee flavor and can sometimes be perceived as intense. This, of course, depends on the amount of water added.
If you like the buzz, but not a (too) strong coffee taste, you can always opt for a coffee with milk.
Espresso
An espresso is a small cup of coffee, usually between 20 and 60 ml. Espresso is usually consumed in one or two sips. Espresso is often perceived as a strong coffee.
This is because espresso is a highly concentrated coffee. You essentially force the water through a bed of finely ground coffee at a pressure of about 9 bar.
The high pressure creates a layer on the espresso, which, with proper extraction, is a beautiful hazelnut brown color. This crema on the espresso is highly desired by many coffee drinkers.
Also read: How to make an espresso in 6 easy steps
Doppio
A doppio is exactly the same as an espresso, but with a double shot. Some coffee bars will list espresso, double, or single on their menus. But some specialty coffee bars use doppio instead of "double" espresso. Perfect for when you need a little extra wake-up call 😉.
Ristretto
The ristretto is also called a short espresso. This is because it's a smaller and more concentrated shot than a regular espresso. The 20-30 second extraction time for a ristretto is the same as the extraction time for an espresso.
Only the amount of coffee you'll have left is about half. This is about 15ml. Even stronger than an espresso. Not for the faint of heart!
Americano
The Americano is essentially the "regular" coffee you get at a coffee bar. You make an Americano by adding about 30ml of hot water to an espresso. This makes the flavor much less intense.
If you order a "regular" coffee, you'll usually get an Americano or, in some cases, a Lungo. Did you know, by the way, that the name Americano dates back to World War II?
American soldiers in Italy found espresso too strong. Because they diluted it with water, the name Americano originated.
Lungo
Lungo and Americano are sometimes used interchangeably. But in practice, a Lungo is a completely different coffee than an Americano. The similarity between the two is a less concentrated coffee, but the difference lies in the brewing method.
Lungo is Italian for long coffee. This is because it takes longer to let roughly twice the amount of water used for an espresso flow through the coffee. A lungo is therefore slightly more bitter due to the extra extraction the coffee undergoes with this brewing method.
If you want a 'regular' coffee next time, but one that is not too bitter, you should go for the Americano.
Coffees with milk and espresso as a base
'White' coffees
The following coffees, which also have an espresso base but to which milk is added, are emerging. Cappuccino, latte, and flat white all share the common feature of using an espresso (or double espresso) as a base, with milk mixed into it.
Adding milk to espresso makes it slightly smoother and creamier, and its bitter flavors are less prominent. Cappuccino, the most popular type of coffee in the Netherlands, naturally falls into this category.
But other milk coffees such as the Latte Macchiato and Flat White are also very popular in the Netherlands.
Cappuccino
The liquid Italian breakfast you shouldn't drink after midnight.Cappuccino is the most famous Italian coffee with milk. A perfectly brewed espresso is the base, mixed with milk of the perfect texture.
A trained barista can use perfectly frothed milk to unleash their latte art skills and add a heart or a beautiful rosette to your cappuccino.
Read here how to make the perfect cappuccino.
Flat White
Theflat white comes from the Mecca of specialty coffee, Australia. This coffee looks a lot like a cappuccino, but it's actually quite different.
The flat white is prepared with thinner frothed milk and is often brewed with a double shot of espresso. The double shot gives the flat white a slightly stronger flavor than a cappuccino and is becoming increasingly popular in the Dutch specialty coffee scene.
Latte
In the Netherlands, we know the latte as a coffee verkeerd . This one is also similar to a cappuccino, but it uses more milk, which is frothed less vigorously than in a cappuccino.
For a latte, froth about 250 ml of milk and pour it over a double espresso. This makes the coffee much creamier and smoother.
Also read: How to make a perfect latte at home with an espresso machine?
Cortado
The cortado , for when a cappuccino or flat white is just a bit too much for you. A cortado is an espresso diluted with a little frothed milk. It's a bit like a mini cappuccino.
Because of the smaller amount of milk compared to a cappuccino, this type of coffee is much more concentrated. The result is a small, smooth coffee.
Latte macchiato
Just as the flat white is a variation on the cappuccino, the latte macchiato is a variation on the caffè latte. The main difference is that here the espresso is poured over/into the frothed milk.
With a latte, it's the exact opposite. For a latte macchiato, you froth about 250 ml of milk and then pour it into a glass. Simultaneously, brew a separate espresso and pour it carefully into the glass, allowing the espresso to slowly work its way through the frothed milk.
By pouring this into a large transparent glass, you can clearly see the different layers of this type of coffee emerge.
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato is a bit like a cortado, but even simpler. This style of coffee consists of a single shot of espresso, to which two teaspoons of frothed milk are added. This creates a slightly weaker espresso, without as much milk.
Coffee varieties based on filter coffee
There are also often various filter coffees available. In most specialty coffee bars, this is also called slow coffee. These are coffees, often lighter roasted, that are brewed using a filter method.
Some of these filter coffees are made and poured right in front of you, giving you a better chance to assess the barista's skills.
Hario V60 coffee
With the Hario V60 dripper , you can brew handmade filter coffee. There are several Hario V60 recipes , but your local barista usually knows exactly how to brew the coffee they offer.
A coffee from the Hario V60 is often more subtle than an espresso and allows the complex, fruity flavors to shine even more. So, if you really want to savor the coffee, go for a Hario V60 filter coffee.
Aeropress coffee
The Aerpress is another method for brewing filter coffee. This type of coffee can be brewed in hundreds of ways. There are even world Aeropress brewing championships.
If your barista knows what they're doing, you won't regret your order. Learn how to make an Aeropress like a champ here.
Batch Brew
When you encounter this type of coffee, you're getting filter coffee brewed in a larger batch. So you get a lighter roast, flavorful filter coffee, but it's not made right there in front of you.
Iced coffee varieties
Extra delicious and popular in the summer, a nice cold brew or iced coffee adds a refreshing twist to your cup of coffee. Cold brew isn't actually made with ice, but because you drink it ice cold, I think this style of coffee is best enjoyed here.
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Cold brew
The main difference between cold brew coffee and regular filter coffee is that cold brew is made with cold water. There are several methods for making cold brew. The easiest is to soak your coarsely ground coffee in water and then let it steep in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours.
Then, filter the coffee from the water, leaving only cold-brewed coffee. If you use freshly roasted coffee beans , you're in for a truly refreshing surprise.
By the way, did you know that Cold Brew coffee is an age-old drink and that the history of cold brew coffee is super interesting?
Ice coffee
Perhaps the easiest iced coffee drink. By adding ice cubes to your freshly brewed espresso, you create an ice-cold coffee drink. Deliciously smooth and super refreshing.
Affogato
Hmmm. This is by far my favorite iced coffee recipe. A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream topped with a delicious espresso. Read here how to make an affogato at home in three simple steps . You don't even need an espresso machine (necessarily)!
Conclusion
There are so many different types of coffee you can order at your favorite coffee shop. There are probably even some coffees listed that I haven't mentioned in this article. What's actually quite funny is that almost every coffee is based on espresso.
This could be a regular espresso, an espresso with hot water, with milk, or with ice. With these combinations, you can create countless different coffee flavors. Which is your favorite?
Frequently asked questions about coffee types
How many types of coffee are there?
There are so many different types of coffee. Most are based on espresso. There are also coffees with milk, with hot water, and with ice. There are also various types of filter coffee. Check them all out.
Which coffee is consumed the most?
In the Netherlands, regular coffee and cappuccino are the most popular drinks. Want to know which other coffees are popular? Then read the article: Which coffee is the most popular?
What is the difference between Americano and Lungo?
The main difference between an Americano and a Lungo is the brewing method. The Americano is an espresso diluted with hot water. The Lungo, also called a long coffee, is an espresso that brews a little longer. The Lungo is often a bit more bitter and intense than an Americano.
What is the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino?
For a flat white, you use a double shot of espresso instead of a single shot for a cappuccino. The milk foam is also different. The milk foam in a flat white is slightly thinner than in a cappuccino, and combined with the double shot of espresso, you get a slightly stronger coffee drink than when ordering a cappuccino.
