I generally drink coffee black. But, because of the appearance of gourmet coffee shops on every street corner and in bookstores, my curiosity has been piqued. What’s the difference between espresso, latté, and cappuccino? Aren’t they all coffee and milk? Apparently not.
Espresso is coffee with a thicker consistency than “regular” coffee. Rather than using the “drip” method to brew espresso, it is brewed by forcing pressurized hot water through coffee. The coffee itself is generally ground finer that “regular” coffee. Floating on top of espresso is a reddish-brown foam called “crema”. Espresso is the coffee base for lattés and cappuccinos.
Cappuccinos are made with layers of espresso and steamed milk, generally in equal proportions. If less milk is used, it is called a “dark cappuccino”; if more milk is used, it is a “light cappuccino”. Both have a ¾-inch layer of foam layered on top.
Lattés are also made with layers of espresso and steamed milk, but the ratios are different. Lattés are usually prepared with S espresso and T steamed milk with ¼-inch layer of foam on top.
Café au lait is also coffee and milk. The coffee, however, is not espresso, but strong coffee. The coffee and milk are poured into the cup simultaneously so the result is a well-mixed, not layered, drink.
An espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso with an extremely small amount of milk. A traditional macchiato has the milk poured so slowly onto the espresso that it never reaches the bottom of the cup.
Espresso con panna is a shot of espresso with whipped cream.
Americano coffee is espresso that has been diluted with hot water until it is the strength of regular brewed coffee.
Of course, this is just the basics. Starbucks’ website claims they offer as many as 87,000 drink combinations.
Diena Zavetsky became enamored with www.hotgourmetcoffee.com”> gourmet coffee during her college years.
She is the owner of www.hotgourmetcoffee.com”>Hot Gourmet Coffee, where the www.hotgourmetcoffee.com”>coffee gourmet can buy coffee online. Coffees are available in whole bean, drip grind, espresso grind, and French press.
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