Espresso-Based Coffee Varieties: Taste the Rich World

10-07-2025 15:13
Espresso-Based Coffee Varieties: Taste the Rich World

Espresso is the cornerstone of the coffee world and the starting point for many different coffee varieties. While its intense and aromatic texture offers a powerful experience on its own, it can be transformed into a completely different flavor with various additions like water and milk. Espresso-based coffees are often chosen to soften the harsh flavor of espresso or create different flavor profiles. Popular examples include latte, americano, macchiato, and cappuccino.

So, how are these delicious varieties prepared and what distinguishes them from one another?

What is Espresso?

Espresso means "fast" or "pressed" in Italian and is a concentrated coffee produced by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure. Despite its short preparation time, it boasts a rich crema and an intense flavor profile. Espresso forms the foundation of all other coffees and is at the heart of the art of coffee.

  • Hardness: Very high (100 out of 100)
  • Content: 10 grams of coffee, 30 ml of water
  • Preparation:
    1. Ground coffee is compressed and placed in the espresso machine.
    2. The machine applies 90°C hot water with 9 bar pressure for 30 seconds.
    3. 30 ml of espresso is poured into a hot glass.

Espresso-Based Coffee Types

Espresso combined with different ingredients creates a rich and diverse range of drinks:

  • Americano: Prepared by adding hot water to espresso, Americano offers a lighter drink while preserving the intense taste of espresso.
    • Hardness: High (90 out of 100)
    • Content: 30 ml espresso, 90 ml hot water
    • Preparation:
      1. Slowly add a double shot of espresso (60 ml) to the hot water.
      2. Milk or sugar can be added optionally.
  • Latte: Prepared with espresso, steamed milk and a thin layer of foam, Latte is popular for its smooth drink and creamy texture.
    • Hardness: Low (30 out of 100)
    • Contents: 60 ml espresso, 240 ml steamed milk, fine milk froth
    • Preparation:
      1. Espresso is poured into a Latte glass.
      2. Steamed milk is poured over espresso and finished with a thin layer of foam.
  • Cappuccino: Prepared with espresso, steamed milk and a thick layer of milk foam, Cappuccino is a classic Italian coffee.
    • Hardness: Medium (40 out of 100)
    • Content: 30 ml espresso, 120 ml steamed milk, thick milk foam
    • Preparation:
      1. Espresso is poured into the cup.
      2. Steamed milk is poured over espresso along with its thick foam.
  • Macchiato: Macchiato means "spotted" in Italian and is prepared by adding just a bit of milk foam on top of espresso.
    • Hardness: High (80 out of 100)
    • Content: 30 ml espresso, a small amount of milk foam
    • Preparation:
      1. Espresso is poured into a small cup.
      2. Add a spoonful of milk foam on top.
  • Mocha: Prepared with espresso, chocolate sauce, steamed milk and often whipped cream, Mocha is a sweet and rich coffee.
    • Hardness: Low (30 out of 100)
    • Content: 30 ml espresso, chocolate sauce, 180 ml milk, cream
    • Preparation:
      1. Add chocolate sauce to the bottom of the cup.
      2. Add espresso and steamed milk and garnish with whipped cream.
  • White Mocha: A version of Mocha prepared with white chocolate sauce.
    • Hardness: Low (30 out of 100)
    • Content: 30 ml espresso, white chocolate sauce, 180 ml milk, cream
    • Preparation:
      1. Add white chocolate sauce to the bottom of the cup.
      2. Add espresso and steamed milk and garnish with whipped cream.
  • Affogato: A sweet coffee drink prepared by pouring hot espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    • Hardness: Medium (50 out of 100)
    • Content: One scoop of vanilla ice cream, 30 ml espresso
    • Preparation:
      1. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is placed in the glass.
      2. Freshly ground hot espresso is poured over it.
  • Caramel Macchiato: A sweet coffee type prepared with espresso, caramel sauce, steamed milk and milk foam.
    • Hardness: Medium (50 out of 100)
    • Content: 60 ml espresso, 240 ml milk, caramel sauce, milk foam
    • Preparation:
      1. Steamed milk is added to the bottom of the cup with caramel sauce.
      2. Espresso is slowly poured over the milk and garnished with caramel sauce.
  • Flat White: Prepared by adding smooth, foam-free hot milk to a double shot of espresso, Flat White is ideal for those who love intense coffee flavor.
    • Hardness: High (80 out of 100)
    • Content: 60 ml espresso (double shot), 120 ml hot milk without foam
    • Preparation:
      1. A double shot (60 ml) of espresso is added to the cup.
      2. The heated milk is separated from the foam with the help of a spoon.
      3. Add the prepared milk to the espresso using circular motions. Enjoy a foam-free, intense coffee!
  • Ristretto: Ristretto means "limited" in Italian and is a much more concentrated and strong version of espresso.
    • Hardness: Very high (100 out of 100)
    • Content: 10 grams of coffee, 15 ml of water
    • Preparation:
      1. Espresso is extracted in a shorter time and with less water than regular espresso.
      2. It is rarely consumed alone due to its intense and strong aroma, but it is an excellent option for coffee tasting.
  • Lungo: Lungo means "long" in Italian and is a smoother version of espresso prepared using more water than a standard espresso.
    • Hardness: Medium (60 out of 100)
    • Content: 10 grams of coffee, 60 ml of water
    • Preparation:
      1. It is prepared in an espresso machine by drawing water for a longer time than normal espresso.
      2. Ideal for those who want to dilute the intense espresso taste.
IdeaSoft® | E-Ticaret paketleri ile hazırlanmıştır.