Coffee menus can be genuinely confusing. Half the drinks sound similar, most of them are just espresso and milk in slightly different ratios, and it's easy to end up ordering the wrong thing out of habit. Here's a straightforward breakdown of what's actually in your cup.
The base: espresso
Almost everything on a coffee menu starts here. Espresso is a small, concentrated shot made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure. It's strong, intense, and the building block for pretty much every milk-based drink that follows. A darker roast like Ascent is a popular choice here, we cover why in our guide to espresso beans.
Americano
Espresso topped up with hot water. Same strength of flavour as espresso, just diluted and stretched into a bigger cup. It's the closest thing to filter coffee you'll get from an espresso machine.
Latte
One or two shots of espresso with a generous amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam on top. Mild, milky, and the most forgiving drink for someone who doesn't love strong coffee yet.
Cappuccino
Similar ratio of espresso to milk as a latte, but with noticeably more foam. That thicker foam changes the texture and makes the coffee flavour feel a bit more present, even though the ingredients are almost identical.
Flat white
Espresso with steamed milk, but less milk than a latte and a much thinner layer of microfoam. The result is smaller, stronger-tasting, and silkier in texture. This is where a medium roast like Peak tends to shine, its caramel and dark chocolate notes come through clearly against the milk.
Cortado and macchiato
A cortado is espresso with a small, equal amount of steamed milk, cutting the acidity without drowning the coffee flavour. A macchiato is even more minimal, just espresso with a dash of foam. Both are for people who want the coffee to stay front and centre.
Pour-over and drip
These skip espresso altogether. Hot water passes through medium-ground coffee in a filter, producing a cleaner, lighter-bodied cup that shows off a bean's natural flavour notes. Our brewing guide covers exactly how to do this at home.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?
Mostly the amount of foam. A latte has more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, while a cappuccino has a thicker, more noticeable foam layer, which changes the texture and how present the coffee flavour feels.
Is a flat white stronger than a latte?
It tastes stronger because it uses less milk relative to the espresso, even though the espresso itself is usually the same. The smaller volume makes the coffee flavour more concentrated.
What's the mildest coffee drink to start with?
A latte is usually the easiest entry point. The higher ratio of steamed milk to espresso softens the coffee flavour and makes it approachable if you're not used to drinking coffee black.
Whatever you're making, start with beans worth the effort.
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