Which Are the Most Popular Types of Coffee?

Let's identify the most popular types of coffee.

Since its origins in Ethiopia during the 10th century, coffee culture has spread worldwide, gathering millions and millions of coffee lovers around the world who enjoy its bitter and unique taste. More than 400 millions cups of coffee are consumed by Americans every day, and this demand is only growing each year. What began as a religious tool in ancient rituals, has turned into one of the beverages with most varieties on Earth.

Now, with great variety comes the hard part of choosing which is your favorite preparation method. What differentiates one type of coffee from the other? And how to know which one is perfect for your taste and personality? Maybe you’re the adventurous type who will not rest until you’ve tried them all out. Whatever the case, check out our list to find out which are the most popular types of coffee and why they are so loved!

1. Espresso

No list can start without the famous espresso. We will prepare many of the other types of coffee with this one as the base, so pay attention. Its name comes from the Italian, and it literally means “express.” To brew this strong black coffee, you’ll need to force the steam through dark-roasted aromatic coffee beans with hot water at high pressure. That way, its consistency will be thicker than other coffee types which are brewed differently.

How do you know how good your espresso really is? The secret is its foam. Its color should be a mix of golden and brown, and it must be thick. Even though for many espressos are a kind of coffee way too simple, it is classic and pure. Try it and explore different flavors and nuances, with different coffee beans, of this timeless mix of high pressure and coffee. 

2. Americano

It’s considered fairly easy to prepare an Americano. Some people believe this type of coffee was originated in Italy during the World War II, as Americans in the military force customized Italian coffee by adding water to it. And that’s exactly how it’s prepared nowadays. To drink an Americano, just add two-thirds of hot water to one-third of espresso (or regular brewed coffee). It won’t taste as strong as a regular espresso. Also, in hot weather, it’s sometimes served with ice to add a refreshing tone.

3. Latte, Au Lait, and Flat White

These three are some of the most popular types of coffee! All around the world, every day, many people ask for them at cafés. Today we’ve presented them altogether due to their similarities. If you prefer your coffee a little bit more on the sweet side, then these might be the ones for you! Now, let’s start first with the latte: it's a mix of an espresso with three parts of steam milk. The final result will have a thin foam that is often decorated by baristas.

The café au lait is simply the French version of the latte. The only difference between them is that you won’t have it prepared with espresso but with traditional brewed coffee. You might find its taste is a little bit weaker than the latte, but we’re sure you’ll enjoy it all the same.

Finally, with a flat white you’ll notice the flavor of the espresso will be stronger than the milk’s one. This Australian latte version is usually mixed with milk from the bottom of a jug because of its silkiness. That way, even though it has the same proportions as the latte, it definitely won’t feel as foamy.

4. Mocha or Mochaccino

Alright, chocolate lovers. We’ve made it to the famous mocha. Although there are some variations to it, the most common way to prepare this exquisite mix is mixing: 1 measure of espresso + 0.5 of chocolate syrup + 1 of steamed milk + 0.5 of whipped cream. This espresso-based coffee is usually served with cocoa powder or cinnamon on the top. If you’re not used to drinking coffee but would like to start exploring this amazing culture, a mochaccino is a perfect way to do it. Sweet, soft and delicious!

5. Cappuccino

The cappuccino is insanely popular in all cafés because of its flavor and uniqueness, so it’s only fair to assume that every coffee house has its own version. However, to have a traditional cappuccino, you usually need an equal combination of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. You can also add a little bit of cocoa powder to give an extra flavor to it. And here’s a little fact: if you ask for a cappuccino scuro (dark) or chiaro (light), you can customize the amount of milk poured into it.

6. Macchiato

Very similar to the espresso, this one is also known as espresso macchiato. This Italian beverage literally translates to “stain, ” and it’s basically a traditional espresso with a drop of foamed milk. If you want to give it a twist, you can also add caramel and vanilla and serve it either cold or hot!

7. Cold Brew

To end our list, we’ve chosen a cold beverage for the ones who prefer the most refreshing side of coffee drinks. The Cold Brew is prepared by soaking coffee grounds in water at cold temperatures for at least 12 hours. Then, the coffee is filtered giving it a more concentrated flavor. The mix will have less caffeine and a less acid flavor. Then it will be diluted with milk and water to be finally served with ice.  

There are many other types of coffee, and every country has its styles and recipes. Do you feel we missed one? Which one should have made it to this list? If you already know which one is your favorite, let us know in the comments! We hope you keep enjoying That Coffee Roasters’ content, as well as our products and services.

Now that you know different types of coffee, which one do you prefer?

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