The amazing and diverse world of coffee choices and flavours

It’s not that long ago that the only choices for ordering a cup of coffee in a café in the UK were black or white, with or without milk! It’s amazing how far the coffee industry has moved on during the last few years, and the abundance of choices that we now all have.

With all the varieties and different combinations that we have access to when ordering coffee at our local café, it can be extremely difficult to choose. Here are the names and ingredients of some of the most common coffee based beverages that you may come across, to make choosing just that little bit easier.

These basic coffee terms explained should help you to communicate with your barista without embarrassment, and ultimately receive the drink you want each time!

Espresso – a one-ounce shot of intense, rich, black coffee which is a base for a variety of popular coffee drinks.

Americano – this is one or two shots of espresso that is served in an American-sized cup with very hot water.

Latte – made from a shot of espresso with a good covering of hot steamed milk with up to a quarter inch of foamed milk on top.

Café au Lait – this is a French-style drink made with drip coffee and boiled milk.

Caffe Freddo – chilled espresso, served in a glass and often with extra ice.

Café Mocha – this beverage has chocolate syrup at the bottom of the cup and is topped with espresso and steamed milk. Basically, it is a chocolate caffe latte. Sometimes whipped cream is added on top.

Cappuccino – this popular coffee is made with a shot of espresso and equal parts of steamed and foamed milk. The steamed milk is mixed with the espresso and the foam milk sits on the top. Overall ratio is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 foamed milk.

Caffe Amaretto – simply a latte with added almond syrup.

Espresso Macchiato – an espresso with a dab of steamed or foamed milk on top. It is sometimes called a caffe macchiato.