Café menus can look like a foreign-language exam. Ristretto, cortado, macchiato, flat white – what is the difference, and which one should you order?
The good news is that most espresso coffees are far simpler than they sound. Once you understand the basic building blocks, every drink on the board starts to make sense.
This guide explains the most popular espresso coffees, how each one is made and how to choose the right beans for them.
What is Espresso?
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. A good shot takes around 25 to 30 seconds and is topped with a golden layer of crema.
Espresso is a brewing method, not a type of bean. Almost any coffee can be brewed as espresso, although some roasts are better suited to it than others.
Every drink in this guide starts with espresso. What changes is how much water, milk or foam is added, and how the milk is textured.
The Three Base Shots
Before any milk or water is added, there are three ways to pull a shot from the same amount of coffee.
Ristretto
A shorter, more concentrated shot. Stopping the extraction early gives a sweeter, more intense flavour with less bitterness.
Espresso
The standard shot, usually about twice as much liquid out as coffee in. It balances sweetness, body and gentle bitterness. A single shot is a solo, and a double is a doppio.
Lungo
A longer shot with more water pushed through the coffee. It is lighter in body but can turn bitter, so it tends to suit lighter roasts better than dark ones.
Espresso Coffees With Water
Americano
Espresso topped up with hot water. It is similar in strength to filter coffee but smoother, and it works just as well iced.
Red Eye
A cup of filter coffee with a shot of espresso added. It is the choice for anyone who needs a serious caffeine boost.
Espresso Coffees With Milk
Macchiato
Macchiato means "marked" in Italian. A traditional macchiato is a single espresso with a small spoonful of milk foam on top. It is very different from the large, sweet caramel drinks some chains sell under the same name.
Cortado
Equal parts espresso and lightly steamed milk, with very little foam. The milk softens the coffee without hiding it, making this a small, balanced drink.
Flat White
A double espresso with silky, velvety microfoam in a smaller cup than a latte. Because there is less milk, the coffee flavour comes through clearly.
Cappuccino
Traditionally one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk and one-third airy foam. The thick foam cap is what sets it apart from a latte or flat white.
Latte
Espresso with plenty of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It is creamy, mild and the base for most flavoured coffees, such as vanilla, caramel or hazelnut lattes.
Mocha
A latte with chocolate added. Rich and sweet, it is a great starting point for hot chocolate lovers who are new to coffee.
How Can BeanCo Coffee Assist?
Great espresso coffees start with freshly roasted beans. BeanCo roasts to order in small batches in Centurion, and every blend is available as whole beans, ground or fine ground in 250g and 1kg bags.
For bold espresso and cortados, Ebony and XXX offer rich chocolate notes. For milky drinks, Roast #49 and Java hold their own against steamed milk. Organico suits anyone who enjoys a bright single-origin shot, and Decaf is ideal for an evening flat white.
To finish your drinks, BeanCo also supplies flavoured syrups and Swiss hot chocolates. Cafés and offices can order beans in bulk, while businesses that want a complete coffee offering can have BeanCo set up and run a coffee kiosk.
Conclusion
Every espresso drink is simply a variation on one shot of coffee. Change the water, milk or foam, and you change the experience. Once you know the basics, ordering or making espresso coffees at home becomes easy.
Ready to find your favourite? Explore the BeanCo coffee range or try the 5 Pack Special to taste five blends at once.
FAQs
What are the different types of espresso coffee?
The main types are the espresso (solo or doppio), ristretto and lungo. Popular espresso-based drinks include the Americano, macchiato, cortado, flat white, cappuccino, latte, mocha and red eye.
What are the different types of espresso ground coffee?
Espresso ground coffee is a fine grind, slightly finer than table salt. It is sold as single-origin or blended coffee in light, medium or dark roasts, as well as decaf. Ground coffee should be used quickly, because it loses freshness faster than whole beans.
What are the 10 most popular espresso drinks?
The 10 most popular espresso drinks are the espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, flat white, macchiato, cortado, mocha, ristretto and lungo.
What type of coffee is best for espresso?
Medium to dark roasts are the most popular for espresso, because they give a full body, rich crema and chocolatey sweetness that stands up well to milk. Lighter roasts and single origins produce brighter, fruitier shots. Whichever you choose, freshly roasted beans make the biggest difference.