Types of Specialty Coffee Explained

When you walk into a coffee shop, the menu can feel overwhelming—what’s the real difference between a macchiato and a cortado, or why does Vietnamese coffee taste so different from your usual drip? Whether you're ordering at a café or brewing at home, knowing the core types of specialty coffee helps you choose what you actually want.

There are at least 12 widely recognised specialty coffee styles, each defined by ingredients like milk, chocolate, or water, and preparation methods such as espresso extraction or drip brewing. These include black coffee, espresso, lattes, cappuccinos, and regional drinks like Irish or Vietnamese coffee—all with specific ratios or techniques.

What Is Black Coffee?

Black coffee, also called "clear coffee" or in Hong Kong "zai fei" , is simply brewed coffee without any additives like milk or sugar. It highlights the pure flavour of the beans. Importantly, instant coffee doesn’t count as black coffee—it’s processed differently and flavoured. This is the baseline for tasting coffee’s natural characteristics.

Espresso-Based Drinks and Their Ratios

Espresso is the foundation for many popular drinks. It’s made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. From there, adding steamed milk, foam, or water creates other drinks:

• Cappuccino: Equal parts espresso (1/3), steamed milk (1/3), and milk foam (1/3). Can be made with a double shot for extra strength.
• Latte (Caffè Latte): One shot of espresso with two or more parts hot milk. Also available as a double.
• Macchiato: A shot of espresso "stained" with a small amount of steamed milk foam. Literally means "marked" or "dirty" coffee in Italian.
• Mocha (Caffè Mocha): Espresso with chocolate, steamed milk, and often whipped cream. Ice cubes may be added.

For a lighter-bodied espresso option, some regions use a lightly roasted bean to produce a more acidic cup, especially in the U.S.

Milk-Based and Regional Specialties

Beyond the espresso family, other coffee types incorporate different milks, flavours, or brewing methods:

• Flat White & Caffe Latte: Both feature espresso and steamed milk, though lattes generally have more milk and are served in larger cups.
• Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water, resulting in a softer, less intense drink compared to straight espresso.
• Irish Coffee: Coffee mixed with whiskey and topped with cream—a warm, boozy treat.
• Viennese Coffee: Coffee with whipped cream and sprinkled coloured sugar, created by Austrian coachmen.

Flavoured, Iced, and Unique Regional Coffees

Some coffees are defined by added flavours or unique brewing setups:

• Flavored Coffee: Includes additions like chocolate syrup, fruit juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange blossom—common in specialty cafés catering to local tastes.
• Iced Coffee (Frappé-style): Coffee blended with milk foam, sugar, and ice, designed to be sweet and refreshing in hot weather.
• Vietnamese Coffee: Brewed using a small metal drip filter (phin) over boiling water. Served hot or over ice, often sweetened with condensed milk due to the typically bold, sometimes bitter local beans. Two brewing methods exist: hot (often kept warm with a hot water bath) and cold (iced).
• White Coffee (Malaysian Style): Originating from Ipoh, it uses butter-roasted beans and is served with sweetened condensed milk. In the U.S., “white coffee” can also refer to lightly roasted beans brewed strong and acidic via espresso.

Single-Origin and Blended Coffee Flavour Profiles

Certain coffee types are also defined by the beans used:

• Mandheling Coffee: Grown in Sumatra, Indonesia, this single-origin coffee is known for its full body, bold flavour, slight sweetness, and strong bitterness.
• Black Coffee (Unflavored): Highlights the bean’s natural profile, whether from Latin America, Africa, or Asia—no additives.

Different roasts and origins dramatically affect the base flavour you experience in any coffee drink. For instance, a dark, oily roast might suit an espresso blend, while a light roast could shine in a pour-over or Americano.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between black coffee and espresso?

Black coffee is any brewed coffee without additives, often made with filter or drip methods. Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed under high pressure with fine grounds. Both can be black (without milk or sugar), but they’re made differently and have distinct strengths and flavours.

Is a latte stronger than a cappuccino?

No, a latte usually has more milk and less espresso proportionally than a cappuccino. A standard cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foam, while a latte has one shot (or more) of espresso with two or more parts milk, making it milder and milkier.

Why do people add condensed milk to Vietnamese coffee?

Vietnamese coffee is often brewed strong and can taste bitter or harsh due to local growing conditions and processing. Adding sweetened condensed milk balances the flavour and improves drinkability, especially in the traditional hot or iced versions.

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

A macchiato is an espresso “stained” with a small amount of milk foam. A latte macchiato is mostly steamed milk with just a spot of espresso added, changing the drink’s colour slightly. The article refers to the traditional espresso-based macchiato only.

What makes white coffee different in Malaysia vs the US?

In Malaysia, white coffee is made from butter-roasted beans and served with sweetened condensed milk. In the U.S., it can also mean lightly roasted beans that produce a brighter, more acidic cup, typically used in espresso drinks.

Can I make these drinks at home?

Yes, most of these coffee types can be made at home with an espresso machine, moka pot, or even manual brewers. For drinks like Vietnamese coffee, a small metal dripper (phin) is needed, while iced or flavoured coffee just requires basic tools and ingredients.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Specialty Coffee Drinks

For classic espresso-based drinks, try FrontStreet Classic Blend—known for smooth body and rich crema, ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. If you prefer a deeper, bold profile, the Black Cocoa Blend offers intense flavours with strong crema, great for milk drinks or espresso shots. For a more traditional European-style espresso, the Specialty Blend combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for balanced acidity and chocolatey notes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.