Looking at the menu in a coffee shop and can’t make out the difference between the various coffees? Here’s a quick guide to help you out...
Espresso
An espresso is brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee. Espresso is either had as it is in the form of a shot or used as a base for other drinks such as a latte, cappuccino, mocha or Americano.
Cappuccino
Prepared with espresso, hot milk and steamed milk foam, a cappuccino is the basic variant of coffee served at all cafes. The foam on top of the cappuccino acts as an insulator and helps retain the heat of your drink, allowing it to stay hot for longer.
Café latte
A latte is a portion of espresso and steamed milk, generally in a 2:1 ratio of milk to espresso, with a little foam on top.
Café Americano
It is a style of coffee prepared by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. The strength of an Americano varies with the number of espresso shots added.
Café mocha
A variant of a café latte, café mocha is typically one third espresso and two thirds steamed milk but a portion of chocolate is added, typically in the form of chocolate syrup or chocolate powder. Mochas often contain dark or milk chocolate.
Irish coffee
Irish coffee consists of hot coffee, Irish whiskey and sugar, stirred and topped with thick cream.