The Different Types of Coffee

Going into coffee shops can be somewhat daunting when trying to decide what coffee you want. There are lots of different names, multiple sizes, and we’ve all been there when the person in front of you orders something that sounds like it’s in a completely different language. That’s why we’re here to help. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of coffee:

Drip Coffee

Based on the technique of how the coffee comes to be (slowly dripping hot water through finely-ground coffee). This technique allows the taste of the specific type of coffee bean to flourish. Drip coffee is usually pretty customizable, allowing you to decide whether you want it black, with milk, or with other flavor enhancers.

Espresso

A small, strong, concentrated shot of coffee, used as a fast caffeinated pick-me-up due to its size and strength. The base of most other coffee drinks.

Macchiato

The Macchiato is the not-so-distant cousin of the Espresso. This is basically an Espresso with a very small amount of steamed milk. Still on the smaller side compared to other types of coffee, it gives you that kick of caffeine you need while being a little bit smoother than an Espresso due to the added splash of milk.

Cortado

This one is pretty easy to remember. It’s half Espresso, half steamed milk. A fun fact: Cortado comes from the Spanish word “to cut”. The Espresso is cut in half with milk and this cuts down the intensity of the Espresso, making for a smooth but strong drink.

Cappuccino

One of the most well-known coffee drinks, the Cappuccino is made up of Espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk, giving it a nice frothy top and a delightfully smooth finish. The Cappuccino is made up of around ¼ Espresso and ¾ milk. Not too strong or milky! * Chef’s kiss *

Latte

Now we’re getting into the milkier end of the spectrum. Just like the rest of the coffee drinks, there’s a shot (or two) of Espresso, and then the rest is made up of steamed milk, with a small part of foamed milk on top. The ratio of Espresso to milk in a latte is about 1:3. Nice and milky! This is a pretty good drink to start on if you’re new to coffee or if you want a drink with a subtle coffee taste.

Mocha

If you have a love for chocolate and want something a little bit sweeter than a coffee, this may be the drink for you. Mocha is essentially a latte with chocolate syrup. The Mocha is also a great starter coffee drink or the perfect drink for coffee lovers with a bit of a sweet tooth.

Hopefully, after reading this you have a better idea of what makes up each drink, and you will no longer have to waste half your coffee break time scouring the menu to decide what you want! Next time you’re in Knoxville or Sevierville, stop by a Honeybee coffee shop and enjoy one of these coffee drinks made by our fantastic Baristas!