Demystifying the Coffee Menu: Your Comprehensive Guide to Common Cafe Drinks

If you've ever been curious about the intricacies of coffee preparation or simply want to know what's in your favorite cup of joe, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll break down the key components of each coffee drink, discuss ratios, and provide tips for creating the perfect brew.

Before we dive into the details, a quick reminder: coffee cups come in various sizes and styles, from the petite espresso cups to the larger mugs and takeaway containers. We'll primarily focus on standard crockery cups in this discussion.

‍

Espresso (Short Black)

Ingredients: Espresso

Our journey begins with the foundation of many coffee drinks: espresso. A classic espresso, often referred to as a "short black," is a concentrated coffee shot known for its bold flavor.

‍

How to Make It:

1. Prepare a double shot of espresso (approximately 45 grams of yield) by pressing the double shot button on your espresso machine.
2. The ideal extraction time is around 30 to 32 seconds.
3. Your result will be two single shots of espresso, forming the base for various other drinks.

‍

Short Macchiato

Ingredients: Espresso, Steamed Milk, Frothed Milk

A short macchiato is a simple yet delightful coffee, enriched with a touch of frothed milk.

‍

How to Make It:

1. Start with two single shots of espresso (short blacks).
2. Steam a small amount of milk to create froth.
3. Gently add the frothed milk to one of the espresso shots, creating a "stain" or "mark" on top of the coffee.
4. Voila! You now have a short macchiato.

‍

Long Black

Ingredients: Espresso, Hot Water

A long black is for those who enjoy a more extended, milder coffee experience without diluting the flavors.

‍

How to Make It:

1. In a tulip cup (approximately 170 ml), pour a double espresso shot.
2. Add hot water to the cup, leaving some space at the top.
3. The result should be a strong, rich coffee with a layer of crema on top.

‍

Long Macchiato

Ingredients: Espresso, Steamed Milk, Frothed Milk

A long macchiato takes the essence of a long black and adds a gentle touch of frothed milk, making it a harmonious blend of strength and texture.

‍

How to Make It:

1. Prepare a long black following the previous steps.
2. Froth a small amount of milk, aiming for a velvety texture.
3. Gently pour the frothed milk over the long black to create a beautiful, balanced long macchiato.

‍

Latte and Piccolo Latte

Ingredients: Espresso, Steamed Milk, Frothed Milk

Lattes are known for their creamy, coffee-forward taste. The piccolo latte is a scaled-down version for those who prefer less milk.

‍

How to Make It:

1. For a latte, use a single shot of espresso and a larger latte glass (approximately 220 ml).
2. Froth enough milk to create a creamy texture.
3. Pour the milk over the espresso shot.
4. The piccolo latte follows a similar process but uses a smaller 90 ml glass.

‍

Flat White and Cappuccino

Ingredients: Espresso, Steamed Milk, Frothed Milk

Flat whites and cappuccinos are classic coffee options with varying milk froth levels.

‍

How to Make It:

1. For a flat white, add a short shot of espresso (single) to a cup.
2. Froth the milk, adding a small amount of air for a brief time (approximately 1-2 seconds).
3. Pour the milk over the espresso to create a balanced flat white.
4. For a cappuccino, use the same espresso but froth the milk for a longer duration (about 5-6 seconds).
5. Finish with a dusting of chocolate or cocoa powder.

‍

Hot Chocolate and Mocha

Ingredients: Espresso (for Mocha), Chocolate, Steamed Milk, Frothed Milk

These delightful drinks are perfect for chocolate lovers, with a mocha adding a coffee twist to the classic hot chocolate.

‍

How to Make It:

1. For hot chocolate, add a teaspoon of chocolate directly to a cup.
2. Pour hot milk into the cup and stir until the chocolate is fully dissolved.
3. Finish with a swirl of frothed milk on top.
4. For a mocha, follow the latte preparation steps, adding a shot of espresso to the cup before the milk.

‍

Babyccino

Ingredients: Frothed Milk

Babyccinos are a delightful treat for kids, offering a frothy, milk-based drink without coffee.

‍

How to Make It:

1. Froth a generous amount of milk, ensuring it doesn't get too hot to handle.
2. Pour the frothed milk into a takeaway cup or a child-friendly cup.
3. Serve with a smile, and watch young coffee lovers enjoy their special treat.

‍