Have you ever gone into a cafe and looked at the menu with the puzzled thought – what is the difference between all of these drinks! I just want a coffee! If so then this is the page for you, below I will look at the main styles of coffee and what separates them from the others.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino is recognised by the frothy milk top and often served sprinkled with chocolate powder, this drink is served to the following proportions:

• 1/3 Espressso
• 1/3 Steamed Milk
• 1/3 Froth

The froth on these need not be mounded up in a heap on top of the milk – in fact this is a common misperception. If you have a good barista the froth will be incorporated through the milk when it is being poured provided enough air is put through the milk at time of preparation. When it is poured the froth will sit to the top of the drink.

Latte

A latte consists of espresso, and steamed milk served with a small layer of smooth froth on top (usually about 1cm thick). Because of the way the latte is poured from the milk jug it is often possible for a trained barista to create ‘latte art’ on top as can be seen in the pictures above.

Flat White

There are many different interpretations of what a flat white should be, some feel that it is simply a coffee made from steamed milk without the bubbly froth of a latte or cappuccino, while maintaining a finer layer of froth on top – and you will see these in many cafe’s (they are basically served as a latte). In my opinion however a flat white is made by simply pouring untexturised (no air bubbles allowed to enter the milk) over espresso. Resulting in a smooth milky coffee without any froth.

Mocha

A mocha is basically a latte with chocolate powder incorporated into the drink, to give that coffee/chocolate flavour. It is served similarly to a latte and latte art can also be achieved on these. When latte art is carried out on a mocha they can look very good due to the stronger contrast between chocolate and white froth.

Long Black

A long black is a water based coffee, it consists of an espresso (as pictured below) and usually served in a tall cup/mug will be filled with hot water. If served and made properly the crema from the espresso will remain sitting on top of the hot water.

Espresso – Short Black

An espresso is very simply, it is the longest pour that can be carried out with a given amount of coffee grounds. For 14 grams of coffee, this makes 60mls of espresso. Served in a demitasse glass or cup, this is the coffee brew carried out quickly and under large amounts of pressure to draw out all of the complex and best attributes of the coffee beans.

Ristretto

This is a similar concept to an espresso, served in a demitasse cup. The difference here however is that the ristretto is the first 15-20 mls of the extraction. Within this first amount is the sweetest, purest and most intense part of the extraction.

Macchiato

The macchiato is also served in a demitasse cup, it is comprised of an espresso stained with a dollop of milk froth.

Affogato

Also based on an espresso, the affogato is generally served as an espresso with a scoop of ice cream.