Do you know your café latte and cappuccino from your café au lait? Celebrate International Coffee Day on October 1 and get to know your coffee with a little help from Starbucks.
There's so many different types of coffee it has a language of its own, which can make trying something new a little bit daunting. Coffee shop menus seem to get longer, names more complicated and options to buy ready-made, on-the-go cups at supermarkets more varied. So in the absence of a friendly barista on the other side of that coffee shop counter, here's a handy guide to coffee types and styles.
Americano
The term caffè Americano is actually an Italian way of asking for a standard American black coffee. It is believed the name derives from the US soldiers in Italy during World War, who would add hot water to ration the scarce amounts of espresso available at the time. The base of the Americano is an espresso (see below) shot, with a larger amount of hot water poured over it to make the espresso weaker and the coffee longer. It can be served as it is or with hot or cold milk on the side.
Espresso
Probably the most famous type of coffee from Italy. An espresso is made by forcing high-pressure steam through grounded coffee beans. The final product is a thick coffee with a creamy foam on top. Due to its thickness and high level of caffeine per unit, it is a great base for other coffee drinks and provides a serious caffeine hit! If you're really in need of caffeine then a double espresso is exactly as the name suggests — a double shot of strong coffee. The espresso concept was invented by a brilliant Milanese inventor by the name of Luigi Bezzera, who revolutionised the concept of making coffee with a pot of boiling water by instead making it with steam pressure.
Starbucks Tripleshot Espresso
Looking for an extra pick-me-up to help keep you up? Starbucks Tripleshot Espresso with milk and Starbucks Tripleshot Espresso will help you do just that. Not one, not two but THREE shots of espresso, providing an even stronger boost for those moments where you need to get going. Made from Starbucks 100% Arabica Coffee beans and blended with milk for a smooth, creamy taste, Starbucks Tripleshot Espresso is the perfect way to invigorate your day.
Long black
This coffee has a stronger taste than the Americano. You make it by pouring two shots of espresso over a smaller amount of water, thus enhancing the taste.
Frappé
A frappé is just a sweet, cold coffee blend with ice, milk and espresso. It makes for the perfect, summer favourite coffee treat. It's important to note a café frappé is not the same as an iced coffee. A frappe is blended longer, until a substantial foam has been created, and the ice is well-blended. Iced coffee is usually not beaten, but served as strong coffee served over whole ice cubes. Coffee giant Starbucks is famous for its many flavours of Frappuccino, which is more like a milkshake with coffee, where milk, vanilla ice cream and hot coffee are combined to make a frothy drink, topped with cream.
Mocha
Easily the sweetest of the espresso drinks, this delicious coffee begins with a shot of espresso before adding steamed milk and chocolate. Baristas may also add whipped cream on top. In short, there's certainly no need to add any sugar to this one!
Cappuccino
At the height of a barista’s craft is the cappuccino. Dark, rich espresso lies in wait under a smoothed and stretched layer of thick foam. Trained to know when each drink has reached a specific weight, our baristas pass the test when the drink you hold in your hand is a perfect balance of light and airy foam and deeply delicious espresso. With the layers more distinct, the coffee flavour is strong.
Cafe latte
The latte is possibly the most confused coffee with many thinking it has more froth than other coffee drinks. In fact it has less foam and more milk. The layers of espresso and steamed milk are mixed together and topped with a light layer of foam. The drink is creamier and the coffee flavour is more subtle. It is good for those who want a caffeine kick but are not a fan of strong coffee flavours.
Caramel Macchiato
Freshly steamed milk with vanilla-flavoured syrup marked with espresso and topped with a caramel drizzle for an oh-so-sweet finish. This drink is for those with a sweet tooth.
So that's the types of coffee cleared up, but how do you guarantee a great blend? The folk at Starbucks have been perfecting the art and science of roasting to create a unique, high-quality coffee for more than 45 years.
Exceptional coffee can only come from exceptional beans and Starbucks go to great lengths to make sure the beans meet the highest standard of quality, only selecting the best for every cup. The best beans grow at higher altitudes. The cold nights and warm days create denser beans. And denser beans have deeper, more complex flavours.
Only the best coffee cherries are picked when they are at their peak. Red, ripe and perfect. After that, they are sorted over and over based on size, colour, and density to ensure the highest quality. Each coffee bean requires a unique roasting formula - a balance of temperature and time - to reach its individual peak of aroma, acidity, body and flavour.
Once the beans are roasted, the coffee is brewed. Take a chilled coffee for example, the coffee is swirled in smooth, creamy milk, to create the authentic flavour of Starbucks in every chilled coffee available at spinneys.com
Loading
