What Coffee Should I Get at a Cafe? A Guide

Working as a barista has taught me the ins and outs of coffee.

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.

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.

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.

© 2018 Domante

Comments

ej on November 13, 2018:

i like it