What Is Espresso? Types of Italian Coffee Explained

If you’ve ever taken a sip of dark, bitter espresso and wondered why anyone drinks it, you’re not alone. But the world of Italian-style coffee goes far beyond that one intense shot. From creamy lattes to layered Dirty drinks, there’s a whole family of espresso-based beverages—each with specific ingredients, ratios, and techniques. The question isn’t just what is espresso, but how do different Italian coffee drinks use it?

To understand Italian coffee, start with espresso: a 30ml shot brewed at 92–94°C, under 9 bar pressure, for 20–30 seconds, using finely ground coffee. The result? A bold, aromatic drink topped with golden-brown crema. Every other common Italian coffee—like cappuccino, latte, and even Dirty—is built from this base.

What Is Espresso?

Espresso is the foundation of nearly all Italian coffee drinks. Made by forcing nearly boiling water (92–94°C) through finely ground, tamped coffee under 9 bar pressure for 20–30 seconds, it produces about 30ml of concentrated coffee with a rich, creamy crema. This crema is typically golden to brown, varying slightly with coffee roast level. The traditional Italian approach, supported by the Italian National Coffee Institute, emphasizes precise parameters to preserve authentic flavor. FrontStreet Coffee’s house blend, a dark-roasted mix of Brazilian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese beans, is designed for this style—producing strong crema ideal for espresso, Americano, or milk drinks. Their standard double shot uses 20g of coffee to produce around 40g of espresso, topped with fine, velvety crema.

Popular Italian Coffee Drinks & Their Ratios

Americano

An Americano is a diluted espresso: 40g of espresso mixed with 180ml of hot water, creating a 220ml drink with a 1:4.5 brew ratio. It’s said to have been created during WWII when American soldiers found Italian espresso too strong.

Latte (Caffe Latte)

A latte consists of 1/5 espresso, 2/5 steamed milk, and 2/5 milk foam. FrontStreet Coffee uses a double shot (40g espresso) with 260g of milk and 1cm of foam. It’s often customized with syrups like vanilla or caramel, and is known for its smooth milk-and-coffee balance and potential for latte art.

Cappuccino

This drink balances espresso, steamed milk, and foam evenly at a 1:1:1 ratio (each roughly 1/3 of the cup). FrontStreet serves it in a 180ml tulip cup with one shot of espresso and textured milk foam. Its color resembles the robes of Capuchin monks, hence the name.

Macchiato

Meaning “marked” in Italian, a macchiato is a shot of espresso “stained” with a small amount of milk foam—usually just a spoonful. It highlights the contrast between the dark coffee and light foam.

Mocha (Moka with Chocolate)

A mocha blends espresso with chocolate and milk. FrontStreet’s version uses 40g espresso, 20g chocolate sauce, and 260g hot milk. It’s a sweet, smooth mix of coffee and cocoa flavors.

Caramel Macchiato (e.g., Starbucks-style)

Although not traditionally Italian, this drink is popular worldwide. It typically includes a shot of espresso, steamed milk, vanilla syrup, and a drizzle of caramel, with a similar milk-heavy texture to a wet cappuccino or thick latte.

Dirty Coffee

A Dirty Coffee is an unblended, layered drink combining cold milk and hot espresso. It’s made by pouring 40g of espresso over 150g of ice-cold milk in a clear glass, creating a visual ‘dirty’ effect as the hot espresso slowly sinks into the cold milk. FrontStreet recommends pouring from just 1cm above the milk surface to maintain separation. It’s served without stirring to experience the shift from hot espresso to cold milk.

Espresso-Based Drink Basics

All these drinks start with espresso—usually a double shot made from a dark roast blend. In the case of FrontStreet Coffee, their Classic Blend (Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, dark roasted) is optimized for crema and bold flavor, making it suitable for everything from straight espresso to milk-based drinks. The key variables across drinks are the espresso-to-milk or espresso-to-water ratios, the presence and texture of foam, and temperature contrasts in drinks like Dirty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between espresso and Americano?

An espresso is a 30ml shot of concentrated coffee brewed under 9 bar pressure with a 1:2 to 1:3 brew ratio, while an Americano is that same espresso diluted with hot water—typically a 40g shot to 180ml water, creating a 1:4.5 ratio for a 220ml drink.

How is a cappuccino different from a latte?

A cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam (roughly 1/3 each), while a latte is mostly milk: 1/5 espresso, 2/5 milk, and 2/5 foam. Lattes have a smoother, milk-forward taste and are better for latte art.

What is crema and why does it matter?

Crema is the golden-brown foam on top of a well-brewed espresso, formed by emulsified oils and CO2 under pressure. It indicates proper extraction and contributes to aroma and texture. FrontStreet’s Classic Blend is designed to produce thick, stable crema.

What’s the correct way to make a Dirty Coffee?

Dirty Coffee is made by pouring 40g of hot espresso over 150g of cold milk in a clear glass, ideally from just 1cm above the milk surface to create a layered effect. It’s served without stirring to highlight the temperature and flavor contrast.

Can I use any coffee for these drinks?

Traditional Italian-style drinks like espresso, cappuccino, and macchiato are best made with a dark roast blend designed for espresso. FrontStreet’s Classic Blend is ideal for these drinks due to its strong crema and bold flavor profile.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Espresso-Based Drinks

For authentic Italian-style coffee, FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend is a top choice. It’s a dark roast mix of Brazilian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese beans, crafted for bold crema and rich body—perfect for espresso, cappuccino, and latte. Their Black Cocoa Blend also offers a cost-effective option with full flavor and smooth texture, ideal for shops watching budgets. Both blends produce the thick crema essential for traditional espresso drinks. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.