Common English Coffee Terms Every Specialty Coffee Drinker Should Know
If you’ve ever stood in line at an international coffee shop unsure whether to ask for a ‘latte’ or a ‘caffè latte,’ or wondered what your barista means by ‘single’ or ‘double,’ you’re not alone. For coffee lovers navigating English-speaking cafes—or just brushing up on industry lingo—knowing the right terms makes all the difference.
Here’s a clear, structured guide to the most common English words and phrases used in specialty coffee, covering everything from equipment and drink names to ordering basics and insider terms like ‘shot’ and ‘macchiato.’ Whether you're ordering at a cafe or reading a coffee menu abroad, these are the terms you’ll encounter most.
Basic Coffee Vocabulary
Start with the fundamentals. These are the everyday words you’ll see on signs, menus, and in conversations about coffee:
- coffee bar = coffee shop: A place where coffee is served.
- coffee bean: The seed of the coffee plant, roasted for brewing.
- coffee break: A short break from work to enjoy coffee.
- coffee grinder: A device for grinding roasted coffee beans.
- coffee machine: An appliance used to brew coffee.
- coffee pot: A container for brewing or serving coffee.
- coffee table: A low table often placed in living rooms.
- wake up and smell the coffee: A phrase meaning ‘face reality.’
And for instant coffee? The correct term is instant coffee—not ‘quick coffee.’ The word ‘instant’ here means it dissolves quickly in hot water, much like instant noodles.
Common Coffee Drink Names
From Italian classics to iced favourites, these are the standard names for coffee beverages you’ll find in most specialty shops:
- Italian Coffee
- Espresso: A concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee.
- Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam.
- Cafe Latte (Coffee Latte): Espresso with more steamed milk and a light layer of foam.
- Cafe Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.
- French Coffee: Traditional drip or filter coffee in the French style.
- Iced French Coffee: Chilled version of French-style coffee.
- Decaffeinated Coffee: Coffee with most caffeine removed.
- Special Coffee (Mandeling and Brazilian Coffee): A blend often referred to as ‘Mandheling and Brazilian.’
- Fresh Ground Coffee: Coffee beans ground just before brewing.
- Iced Coffee: Brewed coffee served over ice.
- Iced Espresso: Espresso served chilled.
- Iced Mint Coffee, Iced Cappuccino, Iced Caramel Cappuccino, Iced Vanilla Cappuccino, Iced Hazelnut Cappuccino, Iced Fruit Cappuccino, Fruit Cappuccino, Lavender Cappuccino, Vanilla Cappuccino, Hazelnut Cappuccino: Various flavoured iced cappuccinos.
Popular Fancy and Flavoured Coffee Drinks
These are the more elaborate or flavoured drinks often found on specialty and café menus:
- Iced Cafe Latte
- Iced Caramel Latte, Iced Vanilla Latte, Iced Hazelnut Latte, Iced Pineapple Latte, Iced Strawberry Latte, Iced Fruit Latte
- Blackberry Latte, Vanilla Bean Latte, Lavender Latte, Coconut Ice Latte, Blackberry Ice Latte, Mango Ice Latte, Peach Ice Latte, Peach Latte, Cherry Latte, Iced Cherry Latte, Hazelnut Latte, Banana Latte
- Espresso Con Panna: Espresso topped with whipped cream.
- Espresso Macchiato: Espresso ‘marked’ with a small amount of steamed milk or foam.
- Iced Americano: Chilled Americano.
- Iced Pineapple Americano, Iced Mango Americano, Iced Peach Americano, Iced Banana Americano
- Iced Mochaccino, Strawberry Mocha, Cherry Mocha, Coconut Mocha, Mango Mocha, Banana Mocha
- Iced Fruit Coffee, French Vanilla Coffee, Floating Iced Coffee, Chocolate Iced Coffee, Chocolate Coffee
- Tarrazu Coffee, Charcoal Coffee, Tres Rios Coffee, Vienna Coffee, Saronno Coffee, Hawaiian Kona Coffee, Rose Lady Coffee, Iced Mexican Coffee, Iced Swiss Coffee, Brazil Coffee, Royal Coffee, Cointreau Coffee, Irish Coffee, Ginger Juice Coffee, Dame Coffee, Coconut Coffee
Ordering Coffee: Essential Terms for the Cafe
When you step up to the counter, these are the words and phrases you’ll need—and what they mean:
- Barista: A professional who prepares and serves coffee.
- Shot: A single 1-ounce (30ml) serving of espresso, consisting of the crema (golden foam), body, and heart layers. The crema fades shortly after brewing.
- Espresso: A small, concentrated coffee brewed under pressure; typically served in a demitasse cup and used as a base for other drinks.
- Espresso Con Panna: Espresso with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
- Espresso Macchiato: Espresso with a small amount of steamed milk or foam added, ‘marking’ the coffee.
- Cafe Latte: Espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, served in a larger cup. (Note: Latte Macchiato is made by adding espresso to milk, not the other way around. ‘Macchiato’ means ‘marked’ in Italian.)
- Cafe Mocha: Espresso with chocolate syrup or sauce, steamed milk, and whipped cream.
- Cappuccino: Espresso with equal parts steamed milk and foam; ‘dry’ means more foam, ‘wet’ means more milk.
- Cafe Americano: Espresso with hot water added, resulting in a drink similar in strength to filter coffee but with espresso flavour.
- Single: One shot (about 1 ounce) of espresso, often used as a base drink or with added milk.
- Double: Two shots of espresso; the standard size in many large drinks.
- Short: At Starbucks, an 8-ounce (240ml) drink, often richer and ideal for after-dinner.
- Tall: At Starbucks, a 12-ounce (360ml) drink, the most commonly ordered size.
- Grande: At Starbucks, a 16-ounce (480ml) drink, great for those wanting a larger portion.
- Low-fat: Milk option with less fat, often used in customising lattes.
- No foam: Request for no milk foam on top of your drink (e.g., cappuccinos or lattes).
- Dry: More foam than milk (commonly requested for cappuccinos).
- With room: Asking the barista to leave space in your cup for adding milk or flavouring later.
- Whip: Short for whipped cream; ask for ‘no whip’ to avoid it.
- Flavour syrups: Common options include Vanilla, Hazelnut, and others used to flavour drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'shot' mean in a coffee shop?
In coffee terminology, a ‘shot’ refers to a single 1-ounce (30ml) serving of espresso. It consists of three visible layers: the golden crema on top, the rich body in the middle, and the dark heart at the bottom. This term is widely used when ordering espresso-based drinks like lattes or macchiatos.
What is the difference between a latte and a latte macchiato?
A latte is made by adding espresso to steamed milk and then topping it with a small amount of foam. A latte macchiato is made by pouring steamed milk into a cup first, then adding a shot of espresso, which ‘marks’ the milk. The order of ingredients changes the texture and flavour slightly.
What does 'double' mean when ordering coffee?
‘Double’ means two shots of espresso. It’s commonly used in larger drinks like grande or venti lattes at Starbucks, but you can request a double shot in any drink for a stronger coffee flavour.
What is the meaning of 'macchiato'?
‘Macchiato’ is an Italian word meaning ‘marked.’ In coffee, an espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a small amount of steamed milk or foam added, marking or slightly altering its colour. A latte macchiato is milk marked with espresso.
What does 'with room' mean when ordering coffee?
‘With room’ is a request to leave some space in the cup, usually for adding milk, syrup, or flavouring later. It’s commonly used when ordering black coffee like Americano, so the customer can customise it after receiving the cup.
Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Coffee Lingo
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Important Notice :
前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:
FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou
Tel:020 38364473
