How to Order Coffee: Common Types of Specialty Coffee Drinks

If you’ve ever stood in line at a coffee shop unsure whether to order a latte or a cappuccino—or what even makes them different—know you’re not alone. Even in coffee-loving countries like Australia, many customers aren’t sure what they’re actually ordering when they ask for a ‘coffee’. In China, where coffee culture has rapidly grown over recent years, understanding your options can feel even more daunting—especially when menus are filled with unfamiliar terms and price tags of 30–40 RMB per cup.

To order coffee with confidence, you just need to know the basic categories: black coffee and white coffee (aka milk-based coffee), and the most common drinks within them. Here’s a clear breakdown of the drinks you’ll actually find on most café menus.

Black Coffee vs White Coffee

Coffee is broadly divided into two types: black coffee and white coffee. Black coffee includes drinks like espresso and Americano—no milk, no added flavours, just brewed coffee. These are closer to the coffee’s pure taste and often preferred by those who want to taste the bean’s quality or avoid dairy. White coffee refers to milk-based drinks such as flat white, latte, cappuccino, mocha, and macchiato.

What Is Black Coffee?

Black coffee is typically ordered by those who prefer a stronger, more direct coffee experience. The two most common types are:

• Espresso (Short Black): A small, concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee. This is the base for nearly all milk drinks and delivers coffee in its purest, most intense form.
• Americano (Long Black): An espresso with added hot water. Contrary to how it’s often made (water then espresso), the traditional method is to pour the espresso into a cup that already contains hot water. The result is a diluted but still strong coffee, similar in strength to filter coffee but with a different mouthfeel.

Common Types of Milk-Based (White) Coffee

These are the drinks most people picture when they think of coffee shop orders. All use espresso as a base, but vary by milk volume, texture, and presentation.

Flat White, Latte, and Cappuccino: The Confusing Trio

These three drinks are similar but not identical. They all start with a shot (or more) of espresso and are completed with steamed milk and milk foam. The key difference lies in the amount and texture of the milk foam:

• Flat White: Made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk with very little to no foam. The texture is smooth and velvety, with a higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte. Served in a ceramic cup.
• Latte: Contains a shot (or more) of espresso with more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. Typically served in a tall glass or ceramic cup. The milk is more prominent, making it milder than a cappuccino or flat white.
• Cappuccino: Consists of an espresso with equal parts steamed milk and foam. Some say it has slightly more foam than a latte, though this varies by country. Traditionally dusted with chocolate powder on top. Also served in a ceramic cup.

Mocha: Coffee with Chocolate

The mocha is essentially a cappuccino or latte with added chocolate. Depending on the café, the chocolate might come as cocoa powder, melted chocolate, or chocolate syrup. Served in a glass, it bridges the gap between coffee and dessert.

Macchiato: Espresso Marked with Milk

A macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a small amount of steamed milk foam added—just enough to “mark” the espresso. It’s stronger and less milky than the other drinks listed here. Like espresso, it’s usually served in a small cup.

Why the Confusion?

Part of the confusion comes from how these drinks have been adapted across countries. Milk ratios, serving vessels, and even foam amounts vary depending on where you are. While some claim exact measurements for foam heights or milk volumes, these are often anecdotal and not standardised globally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

A latte has more steamed milk and a thinner layer of foam, making it creamier and milder. A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, often with more foam and sometimes topped with chocolate powder. Both are served in ceramic cups, though lattes are also commonly found in glass.

Is a flat white stronger than a latte?

Yes, generally. A flat white has less milk and almost no foam, giving it a stronger coffee flavour compared to a latte, which is more diluted with a larger volume of milk and foam.

What’s the difference between a macchiato and an espresso?

An espresso is just a shot of concentrated coffee. A macchiato is an espresso with a small amount of steamed milk foam added, which slightly lightens (“marks”) the colour of the espresso but doesn’t significantly alter the strength.

Do I need to specify the milk type when ordering?

Not always, but it helps. Most cafés use whole or standard milk by default. If you prefer alternatives like oat, almond, or soy milk, it’s best to specify when you order.

Why is an Americano served with hot water added to espresso and not the other way around?

Technically, the traditional method is to pour espresso into a cup that already has hot water. This method is said to better preserve the crema and texture of the espresso. However, many places today add espresso to hot water, which is also common and accepted.

Are mochas just sweetened coffees?

Essentially, yes. A mocha is a cappuccino or latte with added chocolate, making it sweeter and closer to a dessert drink. The chocolate can be in the form of syrup, powder, or melted chocolate, depending on the café.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Milk-Based Drinks

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright, fruity notes that shine through in lattes and cappuccinos; their Classic Blend offers balanced body perfect for flat whites; and the Strawberry Candy Espresso brings a sweet, syrupy profile ideal for mochas. All work well with milk and highlight different flavour dimensions in milk-based coffee drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.