A Newbie's Guide to Different Popular Coffee-Related Drinks

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With all the different drinks out there, it is tough sometimes to know the difference between a soy latte and a caffe latte. Besides, who really cares, as it could not be that different, right? Wrong. The differences are huge between types of coffee beverages. Here is a cheat sheet for the next time you do not know what to order, or don't quite understand how something is made.

First, here are three of the most popular coffee-style beverages you are likely to find, whether in Rome or in Starbucks:

Espresso
Most people think that espresso is a type of coffee, and do not realize that it is one of the styles of coffee. If you are looking for something high-octane, this is it. A one-ounce shot has a lot more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee, thanks to the unique process that involves pressing coffee tightly together and using very hot water.

Mocha
Anytime you see the word mocha on a drink, it means that there is some sort of chocolate flavor, usually from syrup, that has been added. For instance, a caffe mocha is a cup where there is a layer of chocolate at the bottom that is then topped with steamed milk, espresso, and usually chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

Americano
An Americano is just a shot of espresso, usually a single shot, with about a cup of hot water added to diffuse the taste. This is a very popular way to serve a high-octane drink, and one of the more popular styles of coffee in the States (hence the name).

It is not just all about the names, though. The process is just as important as the type of drink you are ordering. To understand a little better, a couple of the most popular techniques used in homes are:

The French Press
This is also known as bodum, cafetiere, and the press pot. Sound confusing? It is a bunch of different names, not styles of coffee. Here, a glass container has a plunger attached, where you add near-boiling water, coffee, and then press the coffee, which is ground coarsely, down with the plunger after a few moments sitting in the boiling water. The system works to filter the coffee and leave a superior tasting product.

The Drip
If you have got a coffee maker at home that plugs in and does not sit on the stove, this is what you are most likely working with. Pour some water into a machine, add your coffee to the other part, and the coffee maker actually heats the water and eventually the dripping boiled water over the grounds makes your cup of coffee. Definitely one of the easiest ways, if not the tastiest ways, to have some coffee.

And of course, the at-home espresso maker produces styles of coffee drinks more similar to those in Italy than, say, your Mr. Coffee ever will.

So now that you are equipped with the names of a couple of drinks, as well as some at-home processes to getting a solid cup of coffee, there is no reason to freeze up the next time you are out at a fancy restaurant and everyone else is ordering coffee-related drinks that you do not quite understand. Once you get the basic vocabulary down, learning the styles of coffee and how to order them and make them at home is a simple undertaking. Bottoms up!