by Jasmine Snow

Before working as a part-time barista, I had no idea what the difference between a ÔÇÿlatteÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿcappacinoÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿamericanoÔÇÖ was, let alone a ÔÇÿflat whiteÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿmacchiatoÔÇÖ. After a few years, it became readily apparent to me that IÔÇÖm not the only one. With the average price of a medium latte at Costa Coffee amounting to ┬ú2.45 ÔÇô over half my hourly rate as a sixteen year old ÔÇô a lot of people stick with what they know because itÔÇÖs too much time and money to experiment. Today, however, IÔÇÖm going to explain the different types of coffee, how each one should be made and which one is the perfect cup for you.

For a caffeine-kick:

An espresso is a single or double shot of coffee thatÔÇÖs made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans. Even though, an espresso is easy to make, itÔÇÖs often difficult to master. The taste shouldnÔÇÖt be bitter, sour or watery; if it is it most likely hasnÔÇÖt been extracted properly. Not to mention, both the consistency of coffee and the crema (foam) on top should be thick. An espresso is the perfect cup of coffee to pry your eyes open with, regardless of whether youÔÇÖre starting your day or working through the night.

For a caffeine-kick with a twist:

A macchiato is a single or double shot of coffee with a dash of frothy steamed milk; itÔÇÖs essentially a fancy espresso. The dash of frothy milk will soften the coffee. Therefore, it’s a little less bitter than an espresso. EspressoÔÇÖs are an acquired taste because they definitely have a strong kick and so a macchiato may be a good alternative for those of you with sweeter taste buds.

For no-fuss coffee:

An americano is a drink of espresso coffee which has been diluted with hot water. The shot of coffee should always be added on top of the hot water, not the other way around to ensure the crema is thick. Bear in mind, an americano is often considered the default coffee that you will be given if you ask for a ÔÇÿwhiteÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿblackÔÇÖ coffee not a latte, which people do not often realise. An americano is the ideal cup of coffee if youÔÇÖre looking or something plain and simple.

For silky coffee:

My personal favourite is a latte which is a drink of espresso coffee and entirely hot steamed milk. The espresso can be added either first or last, however, if youÔÇÖre trying to make a pattern it must be first. The milk should ideally be poured from a relatively high position and then gradually lowered. Afterwards, there should only be a small layer of froth (about the width of a two-pound coin). A latte is the perfect cup of coffee if you want something smooth and not too dense.

For frothy coffee:

A cappuccino is a drink of espresso coffee and milk that has been frothed with pressurised steam. The shot of coffee should go into the cup first, then the milk and ideally the froth will be poured in such a way that it will form a circle with a rim of coffee around the edge. The way in which the quality of a cappuccino can be determined is by placing a spoon on top of the froth and if it sinks slowly then the milk has been properly frothed. A cappacino is the ideal drink for a bit of fun because the froth creates a base for toppings such as chocolate sprinkles.

For the coffee connoisseur: 

To an extent, a flat white is a drink of espresso coffee and hot steamed milk. The first difference between a flat white and other cups of coffee is that it is always served in a small mug. Despite that, the amount of espresso remains the same, which means a flat white has a higher proportion of coffee. The art of a flat white, however, is all in the milk. The steamed milk (almost always full fat) used in a flat white is more accurately referred to as ÔÇÿmicrofoamÔÇÖ and that essentially means it has a creamy texture and glossy finish. A flat white is an absolute must if youÔÇÖre passionate about coffee.

P.S. DonÔÇÖt forget your reusable coffee cup!