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Types of Coffee Explained
UNDERSTANDING COFFEE

TYPES OF COFFEE EXPLAINED

5 minutes
We’re a nation of coffee lovers, but when it comes to trying something new, our taste buds often prefer to stick to what we know and love. But, by staying to what you know, there’s a world of different coffee types you could be missing out on. So, what are the different types of coffee, and what do they taste like?

What are the different types of coffee?


The coffee world is a large one with new and interesting coffees being created all across the globe. But what are the different kinds of coffee drinks? There are 14 and counting, kinds of coffee drinks, native to different countries around the world. Of course, there are many more that we haven’t listed, but the ones listed are some of the most popular!


  1. Espresso
  2. Double Espresso
  3. Cappuccino
  4. Americano
  5. Long Black
  6. Macchiato
  7. Long Macchiato
  8. Cortado
  9. Flat White
  10. Café Latte
  11. Mocha
  12. Affogato
  13. Café au Lait
  14. Iced coffee

At NESCAFÉ, we know that straying from your treasured brew can be a little daunting, which is why we’ve put together this series of guides explaining different types of coffee, so you can go in, fully clued up on what you might enjoy. From creamy cappuccinos to strong americanos, you never know which types of coffee you might discover, one of them might become your new favourite…


Different coffee types

Explore a world of coffee experiences

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


How many coffee types exist? There are over 30 combinations of coffee types in the world. We've put together some of our favourite coffee types for you to try at home - easy recipes with NESCAFÉ instant coffee as the starting point. From the well-known cappuccino, espresso, and latte, to the lungo, ristretto, café au lait and cold brew, there are so many types of coffee to enjoy. Give them all a try and find out which one is your favourite.

Which coffee type has the strongest taste? The strongest type of coffee is freshly brewed espresso. It forms the base for most coffee drinks, and is easily enjoyed with added milk, but can be enjoyed by itself if you like bold, intense coffee flavours.

Which coffee type has the mildest taste? A latte is generally considered the least intense coffee. Made with freshly brewed espresso, the taste is then made less intense because of the volume of milk added, which makes it sweeter tasting and with a more mellow taste.

Which coffee has the most milk? A café latte has the biggest milk-to-coffee ratio, with 1/3rd being espresso and the remaining 2/3rd consisting of milk. The cappuccino is closely behind which contains equal parts of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam (in a ratio of 1:1:1)

Which are the most popular coffee drinks? The cappuccino, the latte, and the espresso shot are probably the most popular types – or at least, the most well-known.


Different coffee types summarised

Below we have summarised the different types of coffee.
  • • Latte - One or two shots of espresso, lots of steamed milk and a final, thin layer of frothed milk on top
  • • Cappuccino – Espresso, steamed milk and milk foam equally split into thirds
  • • Americano - It can either be served 1/2 and 1/2 or 1/3 espresso to 2/3 water
  • • Espresso - Concentrated form of coffee, served in shots and it’s often the coffee base of many other beverages
  • • Cortado - Made with lightly steamed milk without froth or foam
  • • Mocha - It is often 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with chocolate flavouring
  • • Macchiato - Espresso coffee drink, topped with a small amount of foamed or steamed milk
  • • Flat White - A blend of micro-foamed milk poured over a single or double shot of espresso
  • • Decaf - Made from regular coffee beans that go through a process to remove the majority of the caffeine
  • • Irish Coffee - Made from coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and cream
  • • Iced Coffee - A cold version of your favourite coffee, with ice added
  • • Café au Lait - brewed coffee and steamed milk. One part coffee to one part steamed milk with no froth or foam on top.