Scratching the surface of Espresso Coffee Names

A guide to espresso coffee names.

Have you ever wondered what all the names mean when ordering from a coffee house? Does the confusion lead you to order the same thing every time? Fear not, our guide to espresso coffee names is here to help.

Some would say the espresso machine is the master of all coffee makers. Its ability to make coffee in many different ways is incredible; however, it is all in the hands of the user. Baristas are intelligent little Jedi’s, and they hold the force!

To help you out, here’s a list of 10 drinks that you can make with an espresso machine at home or enjoy whilst out and about.

Espresso coffee names

First up is the espresso. An Espresso is a small, strong cup of coffee. A small amount of water is forced through a bed of ground coffee (usually around a coffee/water ratio of 1:2) and settles with a lovely creamy crema on the top.

A Ristretto is an even smaller, stronger cup of coffee than espresso. Less water is fed through the same amount of coffee (usually around a coffee/water ratio of 1:1) making this Go-Go Juice!

A Lungo is a taller espresso. this is because it is made with two to three times more water (usually around a coffee/water ratio of 1:4).

A Macchiato is a barista’s way of ‘marking’ an espresso with milk foam. This is different to the Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks, which is full of foaming milk and caramel. A traditional Macchiato is an espresso with a dash of foam on the top.

A Cappuccino is an espresso based drink that is topped with sweet, moderately hot milk and creamy foam. A delicious drink that should be just the right temperature to drink in 3 gulps.

Other espresso coffee names

A Café Latte is a less intensifying espresso drink, made with more milk than a cappuccino to soothe the more subtle palate.

A Flat White is a smaller, stronger latte which is usually made from a double espresso with smooth milk and a tiny bit of foam. In addition, a flat white is a huge favourite with the talented latte art baristas.

An Americano or Long Black is an espresso topped with hot water making this an alternative to a filter coffee.

A Cortado involves an equal quantity of milk and espresso served in a glass. The milk is usually dense and silky rather than foamy.

And finally, a Doppio (Italian for double) is a 60ml shot of espresso served on its own.

So there we have it, just a small insight to the espresso coffee names and what they mean. Be brave and make or order something different. Your new favourite coffee could be moments away.

In addition, if you have always wanted to know how to make an espresso coffee, check out our brew guides for making coffee.

Two Chimps – Over and Out!