What Coffee Should I Get at a Cafe? A Guide
As a barista, I always hear questions like...
- What is this coffee?
- Is this good?
- What is a flat white?
- What does Chemex mean?
- Is this worth trying?
So this is a small, friendly illustrated what-coffee-should-I-drink-in-a-local-coffee-shop guide for you!
Black Coffee
- Espresso: This is a pretty intense drink, though it contains just a small amount of caffeine. I suggest choosing a double shot of espresso for better taste and balance.
- Americano: Basically it is espresso with hot water. In a good coffee shop, it is still pretty intense and has a rich flavour.
- Black Coffee: In my experience, this is just an over-extracted espresso. Usually bitter and very rich in caffeine. But some people like it.
“Black as night, sweet as sin.”
Neil Gaiman
Milk Beverage
- Latte: An espresso-based drink with milk crema and a small amount (up to 3–4 mm) of milk foam.
- Cappuccino: Usually more intense than a latte, but it's also a milk beverage. It just has bigger foam, about 4–7 mm. You can usually get latte art with this version too.
- Flat white: An espresso with the same amount of milk crema.
- Machiatto: A single espresso with a spoon of milk.
- Mocha/Mochaccino: Latte or cappuccino with hot chocolate powder already mixed in an espresso.
"A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems."
Paul Erdos
Brew Bar
- Brew bar: This method uses a pour-over technique and coffee filters. Rich in caffeine and taste, it's not too intense and is recommended to be served a little chilled (60–55 degrees Celsius). Could be mixed with milk for a very light taste.
- Aeropress: A small amount of coffee, about 200 ml, pretty intense compared to others.
- V60: Coffee for two. Around 300–400 ml of coffee, not as intense as Aeropress, but contains more caffeine.
- Chemex: I call it "a coffee for friends." Usually made in a 500 ml bowl. Coffee made with this brewing method is pretty soft and sweet and contains a lot of caffeine.
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