Know Your Coffee Types - The Extensive Guide to Coffee Drinks
There are so many coffee types that choosing just one can be confusing when you need your coffee fix. Many varieties are similar, so what exactly separates a Cappuccino from a Caffè Latte?
If you’re unsure about the different coffee drinks, here’s an overview of the most common types – with and without milk.
The Four Black Coffee Types
If you love black coffee and enjoy bold, intense flavours, choose from one of these four classics available on your TopBrewer. Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Filter Coffee all have the commonality of no milk being added.
Espresso, Lungo, Americano, and Filter Coffee all have one thing in common: they contain no milk. However, they can all be adjusted with milk or water for a milder taste experience.
Espresso: The Classic Foundation of Modern Coffee Culture
Espresso is a timeless classic and the foundation of many popular coffee drinks in modern coffee culture. Espresso consists of a single shot (25–30 ml) of concentrated coffee, enjoyed on its own or as a base for drinks like Cappuccino, Caffè Latte, and Flat White.
In northern Europe, espresso is mostly used as a base for milk-based coffee drinks. In countries like Italy, however, it is widely consumed on its own, where it is said that espresso is the most consumed beverage, besides water. Traditionally, espresso in Italy was expected to cost only €1 in cafés and restaurants and is often enjoyed in just a few sips at the counter.
Intensity: 6/6
Americano: Espresso with Added Water
Americano is a new classic in cafes and, in many places, the default option when you order a black coffee. An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso. The taste is similar to Filter Coffee, but the Americano retains the espresso’s signature crema, giving it a smoother texture.
Intensity: 3/6
Lungo: Espresso with a Longer Extraction Time
Lungo means ‘long’ in Italian, referring to the extended brewing time of this coffee. It is similar to an Americano but brewed differently: instead of adding water after brewing, more water passes through the coffee grounds, resulting in a slightly stronger flavour.
Therefore, it is reminiscent of an Americano but with a little more intensity in the taste. If you’re looking for a black coffee with extra caffeine, Lungo is a great choice since its longer brewing time extracts more caffeine than a regular espresso.
Intensity: 4/6
Filter Coffee: A Household Favourite
Filter coffee is one of the most common coffee types in northern Europe, popular both in cafés and homes. Unlike espresso and Americano, filter coffee is not brewed under pressure. Instead, hot water gradually flows through ground coffee and a filter, resulting in a smooth, well-balanced cup.
Most people make filter coffee on a filter coffee machine, where the ground coffee is poured into a filter through which hot water flows. Filter coffee can be brewed using several methods, including automatic drip machines, pour-over, and immersion brewing (e.g., French press).
The result is a cup of coffee with a smooth and round taste and an intensity that is present but does not scare many away.
Intensity: 4/6
The Café Classics – Coffee with Milk
Just as many people swear by black coffee, others prefer a creamier coffee experience. Coffee with milk isn’t just black coffee with a splash of milk—it’s a diverse category of beloved café-style drinks enjoyed worldwide.
Caffè Latte – The World’s Most Popular Coffee?
Caffè Latte is one of the most recognised coffee drinks, enjoyed worldwide. Its mild, creamy flavour makes it a favourite among those who prefer a gentler coffee experience.
Caffè Latte consists of 1/5 espresso and 4/5 steamed milk. It is often served in a tall glass and is the inspiration behind ‘latte art’—the intricate designs created when milk is poured over espresso.
Intensity: 2/6
Cappuccino: Italy’s Creamy Coffee Classic
Cappuccino is one of Italy’s most beloved coffee drinks, offering a perfect balance of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It is a popular choice alongside Caffè Latte, but the key difference lies in the texture and composition.
Unlike a Caffè Latte, which has a smooth, velvety milk consistency, a Cappuccino includes a layer of milk foam, giving it a richer, creamier texture and a slightly stronger coffee presence. The traditional 1:1:1 ratio consists of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 milk foam.
This layering creates a light yet indulgent coffee experience with a creamy mouthfeel and a bold espresso base.
Intensity: 2/6
Flat White: Australia's Take on Coffee with Milk
Flat White is an Australian invention that has gained global popularity. It’s the perfect choice for those who want a milk-based coffee with more intensity than a Caffè Latte or Cappuccino.
In principle, it is a Cappuccino without milk foam, making the espresso shot play a more prominent role. There are fewer elements than in the other milk coffees, so it is usually served in a smaller cup.
Intensitet: 3/6
Cortado: Spanish Coffee with Milk
Cortado comes from the Spanish word cortar, meaning “to cut,” as the espresso is “cut” with a small amount of steamed milk. It has a 1:1 ratio of espresso to milk, making it slightly stronger than a Flat White while still offering a smooth, well-balanced taste.
Though Cortado and Flat White are often compared, the main difference lies in the texture. A Cortado has less creamy milk, as the milk is steamed lightly rather than aerated into microfoam. This results in a silkier, less frothy drink with a pronounced coffee flavour.
Intensity: 3.5/6
Macchiato: A ‘Spotted’ Coffee
In Italian, macchiato means “spotted” or “stained,” referring to the small dollop of milk foam that lightly covers the espresso. This drink retains the bold intensity of espresso while softening the edge with just a hint of milk.
A Macchiato is the most intense milk-based coffee, perfect for those who want a touch of creaminess without diluting the rich espresso flavour.
Intensity: 3.5/6
Coffee Beans: Which are Best for Each Coffee Type?
Choosing the right coffee beans depends on your brewing method, flavour preference, and desired intensity. Here are some expert recommendations from our head roaster, Ante Bikic, Danish Champion in Coffee Roasting.
Try these Coffee Roasts for Espressos
For a classic espresso, try Gorgona – our dark-roasted Italian-style blend of Arabica and Robusta beans from Brazil, Nicaragua, and Uganda. Expect rich notes of chocolate, nuts, and roasting flavours.
If you prefer a balanced espresso, Portofino is a 100% Arabica blend with beans from Brazil and Nicaragua. Its dark roast delivers a smooth, well-rounded espresso with chocolate and nutty notes. Portofino excels as a balanced espresso shot and as a base for milk-based coffee drinks.
For a modern, fruitier espresso, try our organic, medium-roasted Treehuggers blend from Amokka®. Made with beans from Peru and Guatemala, it delivers bright fruit and chocolate notes
Coffee Beans for Black Coffees
If you are looking for quality beans to brew black coffee, Amokka® has an extensive range. Both a fixed range, seasonal coffees, and exceptional coffees from our Terra series, all of which you will find in our online coffee shop.
When choosing the right coffee beans for your black coffee brew, you must look at the category, the origin, the degree of roasting and the flavour notes.
You get the most authentic coffee experience if you choose single or single-estate coffee. Single coffee is coffee beans grown in an area of small coffee farms, dried and packed by the local cooperative jointly owned by the coffee farms.
A single-estate coffee is made of coffee beans from one farm. When you drink single-origin or single-estate coffee, the taste will depend on the soil, the environment the beans were grown under, and how they were dried afterwards, as you know from quality wine.
Frequently asked questions about coffee types
What is the difference between Caffè Latte and Macchiato?
The difference between a Caffè Latte and a Macchiato is the amount of milk. There is much more milk in a Caffè Latte than in a Macchiato. A Caffè Latte consists of 2/3 milk, whereas a Macchiato has a tiny layer of milk foam. A Caffè Latte is thus a somewhat milder type of coffee than a Macchiato.
What is the difference between a Flat White and a Caffè Latte?
A Flat White is somewhat reminiscent of a Caffè Latte but has less milk. A Flat White is close to a 1:1 ratio between espresso and milk, while a Caffè Latte has 2/3 milk, so a Flat White will be a bit more intense in taste.
What is the difference between Cappuccino and Cortado?
There are many similarities between a Cappuccino and a Cortado, but the big difference is the amount of milk. A Cappuccino has steamed milk and milk foam, but a Cortado only has a small amount of steamed milk. A Cortado is stronger and more intense, while the Cappuccino is mild, soft, and creamy.
What kind of coffee is the mildest?
The mildest type of coffee is Caffè Latte and Cappuccino. They both consist of 1/3 espresso and ⅔ milk, which places them at the mildest end of the different coffee types.
