Espresso, the most sophisticated form of coffee bean, is among the indispensables of many coffee lovers. For this reason, espresso-based coffee varieties have become very popular in recent years. In this blog post, we provide you with detailed information about the most popular espresso-based coffee types. These special coffee recipes, which we prepared using Illy coffees, will appeal to the tastes of coffee lovers. We wish you pleasant reading!
WHAT IS ESPRESSO?
Espresso is a strong and intense type of coffee that is indispensable for coffee lovers. It first appeared in Italy in the late 19th century and has since grown in popularity around the world.
Espresso is a type of coffee made in a pressurized coffee machine. After the coffee beans are ground, they are compressed and water is forced through the beans under high pressure. This process results in a thick coffee drink with rich aroma and ready in a short time.
Espresso can be drunk alone or is the basic ingredient of coffee drinks prepared by mixing it with milk. These drinks include varieties such as latte, cappuccino, macchiato and Americano. Espresso can also be used in desserts, ice creams and liqueurs.
Espresso has a strong, intense and aromatic taste. It also has an energizing effect thanks to its high caffeine content. Espresso is an important part of coffee culture around the world and one of the favorite drinks of coffee lovers.
AMERICANO
Americano is one of the most popular coffee varieties around the world. Americano, which has a history connected to American soldiers, is a coffee drink made by adding hot water to an espresso shot. American soldiers in Italy during World War II added hot water to make intense espresso shots lighter. They called this drink Americano, and it later became a part of American coffee culture.
Americano has become a drink on the menu in many coffee shops. Making this drink is quite simple. First, an espresso shot is prepared. Then, the drink is completed by adding usually 180-240 ml of hot water. However, the amount of water may vary depending on personal preference. Americano is a lightened option for those who like the intense taste of espresso. While the intensity of the espresso shot is felt, it becomes a less intense drink with the addition of water. Therefore, it has become a popular drink consumed by many people for breakfast or any time of the day.
CAPPUCINO
Cappuccino is a popular coffee drink that is an important part of Italian coffee culture. The origin of this drink dates back to the Capuchin monks in Italy in the 17th century. Inspired by the dense foam that covers coffee while drinking it, the monks began to make a drink they called Cappuccino.
Cappuccino is a coffee drink made from espresso, hot milk and milk foam. First, an espresso shot is prepared and then approximately 150 ml of hot milk is evaporated. Evaporated milk is poured over the espresso shot and finally 1-2 cm of milk foam is added. The percentage of milk used in making cappuccino may vary depending on the country and personal preference. While in some countries more milk is added, in Italy less milk is used and the flavor of the espresso shot becomes more pronounced.
Cappuccino is one of the favorite drinks of coffee lovers. Intense espresso taste is blended with hot milk and creamy milk foam to create a delicious coffee drink.
LATTE
Latte is a type of coffee of Italian origin and is also known as "cafe latte". The word latte means milk in Italian, and milk plays an important role in the making of the drink.
Latte is a coffee drink made from espresso, hot milk and milk foam. First, an espresso shot is prepared and then the hot milk is evaporated. Evaporated milk is poured over the espresso shot and milk foam is added to the top. The amount of milk used in making latte is usually 1 shot of espresso and about 200-300 ml of evaporated milk with 1-2 cm thick milk froth. However, the amount of milk may vary according to personal preference.
Some coffee lovers add different sauces and syrups to diversify the taste of Latte. You can choose Monin's syrups with many flavors such as vanilla, caramel, chocolate and cinnamon. In this way, an ordinary Latte can turn into a more delicious and aromatic drink.
Lastly, Latte art is a form of art made with milk foam on top of a Latte. Baristas use the milk foam to create designed shapes and patterns, resulting in an eye-catching presentation. Latte art is a beautiful detail that has attracted the attention of many coffee lovers and has become a popular feature in many coffee shops.
LATTE MACCHIATO
Latte Macchiato means "tainted milk" in Italian. This drink is prepared by serving milk and espresso shots in different layers.
Latte Macchiato is usually served in a glass glass with a shot of espresso poured over approximately 200 ml of pre-heated milk. A thin film in the milk appears to taint the espresso shot. Therefore, the drink was named "Latte Macchiato", which means "tainted milk".
Latte Macchiato is sometimes flavored with caramel or chocolate sauces. In addition, flavor diversity can be created by adding different syrups. The drink usually has a sweet and mild taste, but you can choose to change it up by flavoring it with Monin sauces and syrups.
Latte Macchiato is a popular choice among coffee lovers around the world. Although it is easy to prepare, customization with different sauces and syrups allows everyone to create their own unique flavor.
MOCHA
Mocha is a type of coffee that takes its name from the city of Moka in Yemen. First, coffee beans grown in Yemen were brought to Europe in the 16th century and became widespread. Mocha is prepared by adding chocolate sauce or cocoa powder and is often considered a sweet alternative.
Mocha is a type of coffee prepared using espresso, hot milk and sauce or syrup. As a first step, squeeze 30ml of your preferred Monin sauce into the bottom of the glass of the drink you will prepare and pour 1 shot (30ml) of espresso on it. Add 100-200ml of previously heated milk to dissolve the sauce, stir and pour the remaining milk into the glass. Thus, a chocolatey and slightly sweet flavor is obtained with a rich espresso taste. Mocha is an option that coffee lovers can enjoy at any time of the day and can be personalized with various sauce and syrup options.
Mocha is often considered the ideal drink for chocolate lovers and is offered in several variations in many coffee shops. It can be served hot or cold and is often flavored with vanilla, cinnamon or various flavored syrups.
RISTRETTO
Ristretto is a type of coffee that can be preferred by those who love intense coffee aroma. Although the same amount of coffee is used compared to espresso, the amount of caffeine is lower in powdered coffee because less water passes through it. Stretto, which can be drunk in one sip, has a more intense and stronger aroma. The reason why coffee lovers prefer ristretto is that they want to feel the intense coffee taste more comfortably.
FLAT WHITE
Flat White is a type of coffee that is especially popular in countries such as Australia and New Zealand and provides a perfect harmony of espresso and milk. To make it, two shots of espresso (about 60 ml) are brewed and poured into a cup and 100 ml of hot steamed milk is added. Milk should not mix with cream and should have a homogeneous structure. Flat White, unlike other types of coffee such as Latte and Cappuccino, contains less milk and therefore offers a more intense coffee taste.
AFFOGATO
Affogato is a dessert-coffee duo that means "smothered" in Italian. This delicious duo, whose two main ingredients are ice cream and espresso, is mainly served as dessert in Italian restaurants.
Affogato has its origins in Italian culture and is often consumed as a light dessert in the afternoon or after dinner. Its preparation is quite simple, it is served by pouring a hot shot of espresso over a bowl of ice cream.
The contrast between ice cream and espresso makes the taste of affogato special. The ice cream begins to melt with the hot espresso and turns into a sweet sauce. Espresso adds a strong coffee taste and aroma to ice cream.
Affogato is a great option for espresso lovers and dessert lovers, and it is very easy to prepare. Additionally, different flavors can be achieved by using different ice cream types and syrups.
CORTADO
Cortado is a type of Spanish coffee consisting of a mixture of milk and espresso, served in a small size. Cortado, whose name means "cut" in Spanish, has a sweet taste thanks to the milk being balanced with the espresso, offering a lighter alternative for espresso lovers. Prepared using a 1:1 ratio of milk and espresso, this coffee is low in caffeine and intense in flavor. The taste and simplicity of coffee are among the features preferred by many coffee lovers.
