Different Types Of Coffee - Explained!
What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte? Or what's the difference between iced coffee and black coffee? There are many types of coffee drinks with unique flavor profiles. This blog post will go over different kinds of coffees worldwide. These include espresso, Turkish Coffee, Americano, Cappuccino, or Latte. These different types can be confusing to differentiate at first glance, but they'll make your next drink order much easier once you know about them.
Arabica vs. Robusta Coffee Beans
Many different coffee beans are available, but the two main types are Arabica vs. Robusta. These both impact how your final cup tastes and can be used to make better decisions when choosing a bean for your next specialty drink!
Arabica Coffee Beans: This type is also known as "gourmet" or "specialty" beans, which means they typically cost more because of their higher quality. The taste profile associated with this variety would usually include notes of fruit (especially berries), chocolate, nuts, and spice. In addition, they tend to have lower caffeine content than robustas due to being grown at high altitudes where there's less chance that the plant will grow too quickly before it has time to develop fully.
Robusta Coffee Beans: Robustas generally have a more pungent and more bitter taste, which is why they're often used as the base for instant coffee brands. This type has higher caffeine content than Arabica beans because it can grow at lower altitudes where there's less chance that harsh weather conditions will harm the plant before it matures fully.
Difference between caffeine-free coffee and coffee with caffeine
There are also two main types of coffee regarding caffeine levels- caffeinated and decaffeinated.
Caffeinated Coffee: This type is made with coffee beans that still have caffeine. The level of caffeine will vary depending on the type of bean used and how it's prepared but typically ranges from 50-200 mg/cup.
Decaffeinated Coffee: This type is made with coffee beans that have had the caffeine removed, typically using a solvent such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate. The resulting brew will contain about 97% of the original caffeine levels. Drinking coffee from date seeds is an excellent alternative to caffeinated coffee.
Single Origin Coffee vs. Blended Coffee
There's nothing quite like the taste of a single origin bean when it comes to coffee. This is coffee that has been sourced from a specific farm or region and roasted to highlight its unique flavor profile. Single origins can be enjoyed black, but they're also great for making espresso and filter coffee.
Blended Coffee: As the name suggests, blended coffees are made by combining different beans to create a balanced cup with flavors that complement each other. This type is popular because it offers something for everyone and can fit any taste preference. Blends are often used in espresso drinks as well as cappuccinos and lattes.
Light Roast vs. Dark Roast Coffee Beans
The roast level of your coffee beans is another critical factor to consider when making your next cup. There are two main types of roast - light and dark - which produce very different flavors.
Light Roast Coffee Beans: These beans have been roasted for a shorter amount of time, resulting in a flavor that's typically described as "nutty" or "bright ."They're also the most acidic of all the roasts, so they're not recommended if you have stomach problems.
Dark Roast Coffee Beans: Dark roasts are made by roasting the beans for more extended periods, which gives them their characteristic "smoky" or "charred" taste. They tend to be less acidic than light roasts and are often used as the base for espresso drinks.
Brewed Coffee vs. Espresso
The two most popular types of coffee drinks are brewed coffee and espresso. They both use coffee beans, but the way they're prepared results in very different flavors.
Brewed Coffee: This is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans that have been placed in a filter or French press. The resulting drink is typically robust, smooth, and acidic.
Espresso: This is made by forcing pressurized hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. This produces a concentrated shot of thick and syrupy coffee with a pronounced bitterness. It's often made with lattes, cappuccinos, and other espresso-based drinks.
Latte vs Cappuccino vs Macchiato
Latte: This coffee drink is made by mixing espresso and steamed milk before adding foam. The resulting cup has a rich, creamy taste with some subtle undertones of sweetness from the milk.
Cappuccino: Cappuccinos are similar to lattes, except they're topped off with more foamy milk (so it looks like it's overflowing), which results in less liquid overall as well as giving you something fun to look at! They tend to be sweeter than lattes because there isn't so much bitterness coming through from the espresso shot.
Macchiato: A macchiato is very similar to a cappuccino but served without any foam on top. It's made with one or two shots of espresso and steamed milk, so it has a more robust flavor than most other coffee drinks.
In conclusion, there are many different types of coffee to choose from, and each one has its unique flavor profile and set of benefits. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced coffee lover, there's something for everyone. So next time you're in the mood for a cup of joe, why not try out one of these delicious options?
