Coffee types explained: all types of coffee in one overview

It seems like every time we open up a coffeeshop menu, we get more and more blown away by the dazzling amount of different types of coffee. It almost feels boring to ‘just’ order a cappuccino, let alone a black coffee. But then comes the insecurity: what is a flat white? And why have a ristretto instead of an espresso?

No worries - we are here to help you out in the wonderful world of coffee variety that we live in today.

Coffee, no milk please.

For those who like their coffee strong and straightforward, have a look at the following types. It’s all a matter of proportions: the amount of water vs amount of coffee itself.

ESPRESSO

Besides from being a stand-alone drink, espresso is also the perfect base for all things milky, such as the cappuccino or latte macchiato.

How to make an espresso

RISTRETTO

A ristretto is basically a more concentrated and darker version of the regular espresso. However, there are differences between espresso and ristretto. The ristretto is made with the same amount of coffee as an espresso, but only half the amount of water. The result is a rich and aromatic – one can even call it spicy - drink, perfect for those who can use a little ‘kick’ to get started in the morning.

How to make a Ristretto

LUNGO

Do you crave a bit more than the one-sip joy of an espresso or ristretto? Give the lungo a try. It is made with the same amount of coffee as an espresso, but with twice as much water. But do not let the amount of water mislead you; at L’OR, the lungo still offers an intense and powerful tasting experience!

How to make a lungo

Double espresso

A double espresso, also known as a doppio. The drink is highly concentrated and has a stronger taste than the espresso. Fun fact: did you know that doppio is the Italian word for double?

How to make a double espresso

Americano

Americanos are one of the most popular breakfast drinks. The Americano is made with espresso and a bit of water; therefore, the coffee is a bit less strong. During World War 2, American soldiers would add water to their coffee to dilute the espresso, but still maintain a high level of caffeine.

How to make an Americano

Long Black

The Long Black is similar to the Americano, however, it is made with 2 shots of espresso. It originated in New-Zealand or Australia. The Long Black generally has more crema than an Americano. We recommend using lightly roasted coffee beans.

How to make a long black

Drip brewed coffee

Coffee connoisseurs swear by measuring and pouring their own drip coffee. This popular brewing method is called slow brewing and is quite affordable. This method takes a bit of time and practice, but the results are amazingly delicious when done right!

How to make Drip brewed coffee

Latte

Latte, or Café Latte, is considered as the introductory coffee drink for new coffee drinkers. The Café Latte is a lot sweeter due to the steamed milk on top of the espresso. When the espresso became more known in more countries, it was too intense for most people. Therefore, they added steamed milk to sweeten the coffee.

How to make a CAFÉ LATTE

Cappuccino

One of the most popular milky coffee drinks there is: the cappuccino. Originated in Italy, the cappuccino has an espresso at its base and is topped with hot milk and a dense layer of microfoam. Some argue that a cappuccino is only a cappuccino when topped off with a sprinkle of cacao. You can make a cappuccino at home with L'OR Espresso pods. We recommend the Espresso Fortissimo for your ultimate cappuccino experience.

How to make a CAPPUCCINO

FLAT WHITE

A flat white looks a lot like a cappuccino. Just like its Italian brother, the flat white has a layer of milk on the coffee. It also looks like a latte, but a flat white is slightly smaller and stronger. What makes the coffee unique is the texture of the milk. This is what gives the coffee its name. Beware: the steamed milk of a flat white has no bubbles like the Cappuccino.

How to make a FLAT WHITE

Macchiato

A macchiato, or caffè macchiato, is similar to an espresso, however there is a dollop steamed milk placed on top of the espresso. Macchiato means ‘mark of stain’ in Italian referring to the mark that steamed milk leaves on the surface of an espresso. The dollop steamed milk mellows the harsh taste of the espresso

How to make a MACCHIATO

LONG Macchiato

Just like the caffè macchiato, the Long Macchiato is also been made with a dollop steamed milk on top of the espresso. The difference between the ‘normal’ and Long Macchiato is the amount of espresso used. For a Long Macchiato you should use 2 shots of espresso instead of one. Would you like to order a Macchiato in Portugal? Just ask for a Café Pingado, also known as coffee with a drop.

How to make a Long Macchiato

Piccolo Latte

A Piccolo Latte is the same as a Café Latte but made in an espresso cup or smaller tumbler glass. Therefore, it has a strong but mellowed taste due to the steamed milk and microfoam added to the coffee. A perfect Piccolo Latte is made with Ristretto instead of espresso coffee. The origin myth says that the Piccolo Latte was invented in Syndey by baristas and roasters to check how their brews tasted with milk to prevent dairy bloat during the days.

How to make a Piccolo Latte

MOCHA

A Mocha is a mix between a Cappuccino and a hot chocolate (best of both worlds?) The chocolate powder in combination with the Cappuccino gives it a rich a creamy flavor. Instead of a ‘normal’ Mocha you can also try a White Mocha. White Mocha is made with white chocolate instead of dark chocolate.

How to make a MOCHA

CORTADO

The Cortado takes the Macchiato one step further by balancing the amount of milk and espresso. The milk in a cortado is steamed, but not frothy and "texturized" as in many Italian coffee drinks. The cortado owes its name to the Spanish word 'cortar', which means cutting. Spain is therefore the motherland of this small but strong coffee.

How to make a CORTADO

Breve

The Breve is an Americanized classic of the Café Latte. The Café Breve is made with steamed half-and-half, therefore it is creamier than the classic Café Latte. Half-and-half is a blind of half whole milk and half light cream. So, if you love a little cream added to your morning coffee have a Café Breve!

How to make Breve

Vienna

The Vienna coffee has its origin in Austria, more specifically Vienna. It is served in traditional Viennese coffee houses with whipped cream on top of a espresso. Legend has it that soldiers added some sugar and milk to strange looking coffee beans and the famous Vienna coffee tradition was born.

How to make Vienna

CAPPUCCINO

One of the most popular milky coffee drinks there is: the cappuccino. Originated in Italy, the cappuccino has an espresso at its base and is topped with hot milk and a dense layer of microfoam. Some argue that a cappuccino is only a cappuccino when topped off with a sprinkle of cacao. You can make a cappuccino at home with L'OR Espresso pods. We recommend the Espresso Fortissimo for your ultimate cappuccino experience.

MACCHIATO

A macchiato is basically an espresso with a dollop of steamed milk and foam on top of it. The milk slightly calms the harshness of the espresso and therefore makes a perfect drink for those who enjoy an espresso, but with a little less kick. As a base, why not try out our Espresso Supremo?

LATTE MACCHIATO

Probably one of the most photogenic drinks there is: the latte macchiato. With its typical three layers, the latte macchiato is often served in a long glass so those layers can be shown. It contains mostly steamed milk, marked with espresso and a little foam layer on top. Perfect for those who like their drink creamy. Discover the differences between all milky coffees with L'OR.

FLAT WHITE

Originated in Australia, the flat white needs a little more explanation, as there appear to be several views on how a flat white should be made. You will find that different countries and cafés have different takes on serving the flat white. One way to serve it, is a shot of espresso with steamed milk, so no foam at all. Another, more common but also more advanced way to serve the flat white, is by swirling a milk- and microfoam mixture into a shot of espresso, aiming not to let the foam separate from the milk. This way, the drink looks quite similar to a latte, but has one really important difference: the taste.

The flat white should have a strong coffee flavour and a velvety sense of mouth feeling due to the microfoam. This is a great alternative if you feel like having a cappuccino but want to try something else for a change! You can make a flat white yourself with coffee pods of L'OR Espresso.

Add milk to your coffee

THE PERFECT CAPPUCCINO AT HOME

RISTRETTO VS ESPRESSO