Stepping onto the floor of a coffee festival for the first time can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you're faced with multiple menus full of unfamiliar terms. From espresso to cortado to macchiato, it can feel like you need a PhD in coffeeology just to order a simple cup of joe. But fear not! We've got you covered with this handy guide that breaks down the different types of coffee drinks you're likely to encounter.
Espresso: Let's start with the foundation of many coffee drinks - the espresso. It's a concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. It's served in smaller-sized cups and has a strong, intense flavor that forms the base of many other coffee beverages.
Americano: An Americano is made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water. It's usually served in a larger cup and has a milder flavor compared to espresso. If you like your coffee on the milder side, an Americano might be a good choice for you.
Drip Coffee: Drip coffee is made by brewing hot water through a bed of coarsely-ground coffee beans. It's typically served in a larger cup and has a more mild and balanced flavor compared to espresso or Americano. This is what most people think of as a regular cup of coffee.
Pour Over Coffee: This is a manual brewing method where hot water is poured over coffee grounds in a cone-shaped filter, usually one cup at a time. The water is poured in a slow and controlled manner, allowing it to extract the flavors from the coffee grounds and drip through the filter into a mug or carafe below. Pour over coffee requires more time and attention compared to automatic drip brewing, as the brewing process is controlled by the person making the coffee, allowing for more precision and customization in terms of strength, flavor, and extraction.
Latte: A latte is a popular coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a small amount of foam on top. Steamed milk is created by heating milk and aerating it with steam, creating a creamy and smooth texture. It's usually served in a larger cup and can be customized with various flavors such as vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut. Lattes are known for their creamy texture and are often topped with latte art, which is a design created with the milk foam on top.
Cappuccino: A cappuccino is a classic Italian coffee drink that consists of three main components: espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. It's typically served in a small cup and has a unique layered appearance. Espresso is the base, then there's a layer of velvety, steamed milk. Finally, the cappuccino is crowned with a thick layer of frothed milk. Frothed milk is created by aerating milk with steam, creating a thick foam with tiny bubbles. The frothed milk adds a light and airy texture to the cappuccino, creating a luxurious mouthfeel.
Macchiato: Macchiato, which means "stained" or "spotted" in Italian, is a shot of espresso "stained" with a dollop of steamed milk. It's a small, strong coffee with a hint of milk and is usually served in a smaller cup. Macchiatos come in two variations - espresso macchiato, where the milk is added to the espresso, and latte macchiato, where the espresso is added to the milk.
Flat White: Invented in either Australia or New Zealand (big debate), the flat white is a coffee drink made with a double shot of espresso and velvety steamed milk with a thin layer of microfoam on top. It's similar to a latte, but with less foam and a stronger coffee-to-milk ratio, resulting in a bolder flavor and a smoother velvety texture.
Cortado: Cortado is a Spanish word that means "cut" or "shortened." In the context of coffee, a cortado is a drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, resulting in a balanced and strong flavor profile. It's usually served in a small glass and is a popular choice for those who like a shorter coffee with a strong coffee taste. (Or try the Cuban “Cortadito” where sugar is added to the espresso while it's being brewed, allowing it to dissolve and create a sweet and caramelized flavor in the coffee.)
Mocha: If you have a sweet tooth, a mocha might be the perfect coffee drink for you. It's made with a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, and is often topped with whipped cream. Mochas are known for their rich, indulgent flavor that combines the bitterness of coffee with the sweetness of chocolate, making them a popular choice for dessert-like coffee drinks and an all-time favorite of the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival!
Cold Brew: Cold brew is a popular choice for those who prefer their coffee cold or iced. It's made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period of time (often up to 24hs), resulting in a smooth and less acidic flavor profile compared to traditional hot brewed coffee. Cold brew is usually served over ice and can be enjoyed straight or with milk and sweeteners. (Not to be confused with “Iced Coffee,” in which regular coffee is poured over ice)
Nitro Cold Brew: Nitro cold brew is cold brew coffee that has been infused with nitrogen gas, resulting in a creamy and velvety texture with a frothy head, similar to a pint of Guinness. It's often served on tap, and the nitrogen infusion gives it a unique mouthfeel and flavor experience. Want to give it a try? Check out the self-serve nitro cold brew vending machine at the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival!
French Press: The French press, also known as a plunger or press pot, is another manual brewing method that involves steeping coffee grounds in hot water and separating the grounds by pressing a plunger through a mesh filter. It results in a bold and full-bodied coffee with a rich flavor and heavy mouthfeel.
Café au Lait: This is a popular French coffee drink that consists of equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk. The coffee is typically brewed using a French press or drip method, and it's then combined with steamed milk to create a creamy and velvety texture. The result is a balanced and smooth coffee beverage that combines the richness of coffee with the creaminess of steamed milk, making it a comforting and satisfying choice for coffee lovers who enjoy a milder yet flavorful cup of coffee.
IS YOUR HEAD SPINNING YET? Not to worry, we have over 20 coffee vendors coming to the DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival that would be happy to welcome you to the coffee club and walk you through the intricacies of this craft. Whether you prefer a strong espresso-based drink, a creamy latte, a cold brew for a hot day, or a sweet mocha as a treat, there's a coffee drink to suit every palate. Don't be afraid to ask your barista for recommendations or to experiment with different flavors and brewing methods to discover your favorite coffee concoction. The DMV Chocolate and Coffee Festival is the perfect place to learn more, sample amazing varieties, and discover your perfect order. Happy sipping!