How to Brew 37 Kinds of Coffee: Methods, Ratios & Origins

Ever stared at a menu or coffee bag and wondered how to actually make that drink—or what makes Brazilian Santos different from Colombian Mandheling? Whether you're curious about classic espresso drinks, regional single origins, or sweet coffee cocktails, this guide breaks down 37 coffee types with their flavors, ideal roasts, and exact preparation steps.

The quick answer? There are 37 distinct coffee styles covered here, from Brazilian Santos (neutral, great solo or in blends) to Irish coffee (espresso + whiskey + sugar), each with specific flavor notes (like 'pleasant acidity' for Mandheling or 'chocolatey depth' for Swiss chocolate coffee), roast preferences (medium for Blue Mountain, dark for Supremo), and step-by-step methods (like the 4-step Turkish coffee boil-and-settle process).

Single-Origin Coffee Basics

Single-origin coffees highlight unique regional flavors. Here are some key examples:

• Brazilian Santos (Santos): Neutral, medium-bodied, and versatile—great as a standalone cup or blended with other beans. Best brewed medium or dark roast.
• Colombian Mandheling (MANDELING): Rich, with bright acidity, balanced sweetness, and a complex profile. Thrives with a dark roast to enhance its deep aromas.
• Colombian Supremo: Distinctive fragrance with a bitter-sweet balance that lingers. Roast preference not specified, but likely medium to dark.
• Mexican Coatepec/Huatusco/Orizaba: Smooth, comforting cups with enticing floral and fruity notes. Medium roast recommended for clarity.
• Blue Mountain (Jamaica Blue Mountain): Harmonious sweetness, acidity, and bitterness. Ideal at medium roast for balanced flavor.

Espresso-Based Drinks & Milk Coffees

These popular drinks combine espresso with milk or cream in various ratios:

• Grosser/kleiner Brauner/Schwarzer (Italian Coffee with Cream/Milk): High-quality Italian coffee with a dash of cream or milk; sugar optional. No specific espresso ratio given.
• Melange (Viennese Milk Coffee): Equal parts black coffee and hot milk, sometimes with whipped cream. Served in large cups; traditional 17th-century Viennese recipe.
• Einspaenner (Cream Coffee): Similar to strong espresso, topped with whipped cream. Sugar to taste.
• Cappuccino:
  • Espresso machine method: 7g coffee, 50cc water, 50cc hot milk, and milk foam.
  • Regular method: 18g coffee, 120cc water, equal parts hot milk, and milk foam.
  Prepare steamed milk, pour equal coffee and milk, then top with foam.
• Latte (Coffee Latte): Coffee:milk:foam ratio of 1:2:1. (Note: Combined reference to both Cappuccino and Latte ratios.)
• Macchiato:
  • Espresso machine method: 7g coffee + 3–5 tablespoons milk foam (no milk).
  • Regular method: 18g coffee + 40g coffee (non-espresso method) + milk foam.
  Pour coffee, then add 3–5 spoons of foam (no milk).

Iced & Specialty Coffee Drinks

Cool down or get creative with these iced and flavored options:

• Iced Latte: Layered espresso and milk (with added sugar to milk for separation effect), served over ice for a visually striking drink.
• Swiss Chocolate Coffee:
  • Espresso machine method: 7g coffee, 120cc water, 15g sugar-added chocolate powder.
  • Regular method: 12g coffee, 120cc water, or 30cc chocolate syrup.
  Add chocolate to cup, pour hot coffee, and stir.
• Affogato-style Ice Cream Coffee (Magic Ice Cream Coffee): Pour espresso over vanilla ice cream, top with chocolate sauce and whipped cream for a dessert-like treat.
• Mocha Frappe:
  • Ingredients: 1 portion iced coffee, 3 tablespoons vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, ice cubes, whipped cream.
  Blend ice, coffee, syrup, and ice cream, pour, then top with whipped cream and syrup.
• Iced Bitter Coffee:
  • Espresso machine method: 7g coffee, 30cc water, 120cc milk, ice, syrup.
  • Regular method: 30g coffee, 120cc water, 120cc milk, ice, syrup.
  Pour syrup and milk first, add ice, then slowly pour coffee for layered effect.
• Yuan Yang (Oolong Coffee): Mix equal parts iced black tea and iced coffee, adjust sweetness with condensed milk.
• Irish Coffee:
  • Steps: Brew 90cc hot Blue Mountain coffee, pour into preheated cup. Place a special spoon on top, pour brandy, ignite, and pour flaming brandy into coffee.
  Serves one; uses Blue Mountain coffee and brandy.
• Con Panna / Macchiato:
  • Con Panna: Add whipped cream to espresso.
  • Macchiato: Just espresso + 2 spoons milk foam; drink in one shot.
• Green Tea Coffee: Japanese-inspired blend of green tea’s aroma with bold coffee flavor.
• Frozen Mocha Coffee:
  • Ingredients: 1 portion iced coffee, 3 tablespoons vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, ice cubes, whipped cream.
  Blend all, pour into glass, and top with whipped cream and syrup.
• Vodka-style Iced Coffee (Mazagran):
  • Ingredients: 10g coffee, 50cc water, sparkling water, 10cc lemon juice, ice.
  Pour coffee over ice, add sparkling water and lemon juice; optional: use 7-Up for sweetness.

Traditional & Cultural Brews

Explore historic and regional brewing methods:

• Turkish Coffee:
  • Steps: Grind 12g dark roast beans with optional spices (cinnamon/cardamom), boil 20 seconds, let grounds settle, then pour clarified coffee.
  Serve plain or with lemon/honey/Turkish delight.
• Royal Coffee:
  • Steps: Brew 90cc hot Blue Mountain coffee, place a special spoon on cup, pour brandy, ignite, and pour into coffee.
  Uses Blue Mountain coffee and brandy.
• Green Tea Coffee: Blends Japanese green tea’s subtlety with Western coffee’s strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Brazilian Santos and Colombian Mandheling?

Brazilian Santos is neutral and versatile, great alone or in blends, while Colombian Mandheling has rich, bright acidity and complex sweetness, thriving with a dark roast to deepen its aromas.

How do you make a traditional Viennese Melange?

Melange is equal parts black coffee and hot milk, sometimes with whipped cream, served in a large cup—the original 17th-century Viennese recipe.

What’s the correct ratio for a cappuccino vs. a latte?

A cappuccino typically uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (7g coffee, 50cc water, 50cc milk, foam), while a latte follows a 1:2:1 coffee:milk:foam ratio.

How is Turkish coffee traditionally prepared?

Turkish coffee involves grinding 12g dark roast beans (with optional spices), boiling for 20 seconds, letting grounds settle, then pouring the clear coffee off the top.

What’s the process for making an Irish coffee?

Brew 90cc hot Blue Mountain coffee, pour into a preheated cup, place a special spoon on top, add brandy, ignite it, and pour the flaming brandy into the coffee.

How do you layer an iced latte to get the visual effect?

Combine espresso with sugar-added milk (to create separation), pour over ice—the sugar makes the milk and coffee layers distinct.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Single Origins

For exploring the single origins mentioned, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Brazil Santos (medium roast, nutty and balanced, great for blending), Colombia Huila (bright acidity with caramel sweetness, perfect for Mandheling fans), and Ethiopia Yirgacheffe (floral and citrusy, ideal for those who enjoy complex, high-grown beans). These beans showcase the regional characteristics discussed in the article. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.