A guide to the different types of coffee
Around 2.3 million cups of coffee are drunk every minute in the world! Black coffee, hazelnut coffee, café crème, ristretto, macchiato, latte, milk coffee, cappuccino, long coffee, moccaccino… There are almost as many types of coffee as there are drinkers. Numerous variations have emerged over the years. Let’s discover 7 types of coffee.
Black coffee or espresso
Also known as espresso, the small, full-bodied coffee that everyone knows is obtained by percolating ground coffee beans in a small quantity of boiling water. For 7g of ground coffee beans, you need 30 to 60ml of hot water at 9 bars of pressure. This pressure is very important, as it forms the fine golden foam on the top of the coffee that we appreciate so much.
The quality of the black coffee also depends on the machine you use. Freshly ground beans will not reveal their aromas in the same way, depending on the machine you use. Good machines guarantee quality espressos.
Black coffee was originally invented by the English, but was perfected by the Italians, who nicknamed it espresso (because of the speed with which it is made). The extraction time for a cup is between 20 and 25 seconds.
This practical process and its high caffeine content have made it a favourite for coffee breaks at work. Black coffee, as its name suggests, is quite strong and is aimed at lovers of pure coffee. Of course, you are free to add sugar or not to sweeten it.
Ristretto coffee
As its name suggests in Italian (ristretto=serrated), the ristretto is more intense than the traditional espresso, and is also aimed at those who like their coffee strong. The preparation of a ristretto is almost identical, except that the ristretto is much more pressed and requires half as much water during its preparation. For 7g of ground coffee, a maximum of 30ml of water is required.
Ristretto is also a must for coffee breaks and breakfast to start the day.
Cream coffee
For those who find black coffee or ristretto too strong, cream coffee is a milder option. Café crème is actually an espresso with added cream.
Made with 60ml of espresso and 30ml of thick cream that melts on contact with the coffee, café crème removes the full-bodied aspect of black coffee and gives it more smoothness without depriving it of its aromas.
Hazelnut coffee
Hazelnut coffee, which is also very popular with consumers, is an espresso to which a cloud of milk is simply added. To make a traditional small hazelnut coffee, pour 15cl of coffee into a cup and add 1cl of milk. Your drink will then take on a nice hazelnut colour.
Macchiato coffee
The little brother of the cappuccino, the macchiato coffee is made of an espresso base covered with a delicate milk foam. The latter, also known as the milk microfoam technique, is made up of tiny bubbles that make it very creamy. This foam is obtained by injecting steam under pressure into the milk
Macchiato coffee is traditionally served in a large cup, where a double or short espresso is poured first, followed by milk foam and sometimes a dash of milk. For those with a sweet tooth, chocolate shavings or cocoa powder can also be added to the foam.
Cappuccino
The cappuccino is often appreciated for its sweetness in contrast to stronger coffees. Usually served in a large cup, it is made up of 3 ingredients in equal parts: espresso, milk and milk foam.
So, for 60ml of espresso you would add 60ml of hot milk and 60ml of milk foam on top. You can also sprinkle a touch of cocoa on top, for an even more delicious taste.
The coffee shake
The iced coffee is the refreshing version of the espresso, ideal on hot summer days. It simply consists of 60ml of cold coffee served with ice cubes (and sugar, depending on your taste) to make a thirst-quenching drink.
Whatever form you want, Kabioca coffees with their rich flavours and balanced body allow you to create the espresso or lungo base for your favourite coffee.
The flavour of your coffee also depends on the varieties you choose: Arabica, Robusta… but also on its origin and roasting.
Whether you prefer a full-bodied coffee, a café au lait, a cappuccino, a moka (more often called a café au chocolat in France), there is bound to be a coffee that suits your palate and your tastes.
You love coffee, but you don’t know which types of coffee to choose? Don’t hesitate ! We offer you discovery packs of 40 coffee capsules, containing 4 types of coffee to test our different references.