Enhance Your Coffee Knowledge
With so many options available at every coffee shop these days, choosing what to drink can seem a little intimidating so why not enhance your coffee knowledge? As long as you understand coffee vocabulary, you can order exactly what you want.
Start by deciding if you want a milk-based or black coffee drink.
Choose the strength of your drink as well as any flavorings or other extras you want.
Finally, let the barista (coffee server) know if you want your drink hot or iced, as well as the size you would like. Feel free to ask for extra information and enhance your coffee knowledge.
Go with brewed coffee for a classic choice
Black coffee will be brewed in several ways.
Drip coffee is made by letting hot water flow through coarsely-ground coffee beans. It’s usually kept on tap in large urns at coffee shops. This is a standard choice, but may be less flavorful than other brew methods.
Pour overs are made by carefully pouring hot water over coffee grounds suspended in a filter over a container. These are usually made by the cup, allowing the hot water to sit with the grounds for longer and extract more flavor.
French press coffee is made by letting coffee grounds sit in hot water for several minutes in a press pot. The coffee is then poured out, leaving the grounds behind. This method produces a bold flavor.
Choose espresso for superior flavor
Espresso is made by forcing a small amount of hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. The intensely flavorful drink is then served in a small cup called a demitasse. A slight amount of coffee-colored foam, called crema, appears at the top of properly-pulled espresso.
Espresso is also used as the base of most coffee drinks, such as lattes and macchiatos.
Espresso usually has more caffeine than brewed methods. However, brewed coffee is served in larger amounts, meaning an overall greater amount of caffeine.
Choose a roast type
Light roasts are very mild in flavor and can often taste sour. High quality beans are used.
Medium roasts have a deeper color and often a nutty flavor, but are still moderate in their intensity.
Dark roasts are rich, bold, and sometimes bitter.
Brewing Styles Compared
Not all coffee is brewed in the same way. Different brewing styles can cause changes in the flavor and strength of the drink. Here are just a few to enhance your coffee knowledge:
Drip Brew
Ground coffee is added to a brew basket and placed in an automatic coffee machine for this brewing style. Gravity is used to pass water through the grounds, resulting in a traditional cup of coffee.
Pour Over
This brewing style is achieved by pouring boiling water slowly through coffee grounds as they sit in a filter basket. The coffee then drips into a single cup, resulting in a potent brew.
Cold Brew
For cold brew, coarsely ground coffee is placed in room temperature water and allowed to steep for an extended period of time. This results in a less bitter, highly caffeinated brew.
Espresso
To achieve an espresso brew, you’ll need an espresso or cappuccino machine. These machines pass pressurized hot water through a filter containing dark roasted finely ground coffee beans. The force of the water produces a highly concentrated coffee shot. This is the method most commonly used for the base of coffee drinks.
Ristretto
Brewed in a similar method to the espresso, pressurized water is passed through the coffee grounds. However, you would use half the amount of water. The shorter brewing cycle creates a more concentrated and darker shot of espresso.
Different Coffee Drinks
Espresso
The espresso, also known as a short black, is highly concentrated coffee.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso (30 ml)
Double Espresso
A double espresso may also be listed as doppio, which is the Italian word for double. This drink is highly concentrated and strong.
Ratio: 2 shots of espresso (60 ml)
Red Eye
The red eye’s purpose is to add a boost of caffeine to your standard cup of coffee.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 180 ml of drip-brewed coffee
Black Eye
The black eye is just the doubled version of the red eye and is very high in caffeine.
Ratio: 2 shots of espresso + 180 ml of drip-brewed coffee
Americano
Americanos are popular breakfast drinks and thought to have originated during World War II. Soldiers would add water to their coffee to extend their rations farther. The water dilutes the espresso while still maintaining a high level of caffeine.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 90 ml of hot water
Long Black
The long black is a similar coffee drink to the americano, but it originated in New Zealand and Australia. It generally has more crema than an americano.
Ratio: 2 shots of espresso + 90 ml of hot water
Macchiato
The word macchiato means mark or stain. This is in reference to the mark that steamed milk leaves on the surface of the espresso as it is dashed into the drink. Flavoring syrups are often added to the drink according to customer preference.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 1 to 2 teaspoons of steamed milk
Cortado
The cortado takes the macchiato one step further by evenly balancing the espresso with warm milk in order to reduce the acidity.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 30 ml of warm milk + 1 cm of foam
Breve
The breve provides a decadent twist on the average espresso, adding steamed half-and-half to create a rich and creamy texture.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 90 ml of steamed half-and-half + 1 cm of foam
Cappuccino
This creamy coffee drink is usually consumed at breakfast time in Italy. It is usually associated with indulgence and comfort because of its thick foam layer and additional flavorings that can be added to it.
Ratio: 1-2 shots of espresso + 60 ml of steamed milk + 60 ml of foamed milk + sprinkling of chocolate powder (optional)
Flat White
A flat white also originates from New Zealand and Australia and is very similar to a cappuccino but lacks the foam layer and chocolate powder. To keep the drink creamy rather than frothy, steamed milk from the bottom of the jug is used instead of from the top.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 120 ml of steamed milk
Cafe Latte
Cafe lattes are considered an introductory coffee drink since the acidity and bitterness of coffee are cut by the amount of milk in the beverage. Flavoring syrups are often added to the latte for those who enjoy sweeter drinks.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 240-295 of steamed milk + 1 cm of foam
Mocha
The mocha is considered a coffee and hot chocolate hybrid. The chocolate powder or syrup gives it a rich and creamy flavor and cuts the acidity of the espresso.
Ratio: 1 shot of espresso + 30–60 ml of chocolate syrup/powder + 30–90 ml of steamed milk + 2-3 cm of foam or whipped cream
Vienna
There are a few variations on the Vienna, but one of the most common is made with two ingredients: espresso and whipped cream. The whipped cream takes the place of milk and sugar to provide a creamy texture.
Ratio: 1-2 shots of espresso + 60 ml of whipped cream
Affogato
Affogatos are more for a dessert coffee than a drink you would find at a cafe, but they can add a fun twist to your coffee menu. They are made by pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a sweet after-meal treat.
Ratio: 1-2 shots of espresso + 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream
Cafe au Lait
The cafe au lait is typically made with French press coffee instead of an espresso shot to bring out the different flavors in the coffee. It is then paired with scalded milk instead of steamed milk and poured at a 50/50 ratio.
Ratio: 150 ml French press coffee + 150 ml scalded milk
Iced Coffee
Iced coffees become very popular in the summertime in the United States. The recipes do have some variance, with some locations choosing to interchange milk with water in the recipe. Often, different flavoring syrups will be added per the preference of the customer.
Ratio: 60 ml drip coffee or espresso + 120 ml of ice + 120–180 ml of milk or water + flavoring syrup to taste.
Being familiar with different types of coffee drinks allows you to make confident decisions about your coffee order which will kick start your day, make a get together special or add success to a business meeting. For extra enjoyment, do make effort to enhance your coffee knowledge. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/397/types-of-coffee-drinks.html