Classic Coffee Types Served in Cafés: Espresso & More

When you walk into a café, the menu can feel overwhelming. With terms like macchiato, flat white, and Vietnamese coffee, how do you know what you’re really getting—or which one you’ll like? Whether you want a strong shot or something creamy and sweet, understanding these common café coffee types helps you order with confidence.

Cafés around the world serve a wide range of coffee drinks, each with unique ingredients and preparation methods. The most common types include espresso, cappuccino, latte, macchiato, mocha, Americano, and more—each defined by specific ratios of espresso, milk, water, and additives like chocolate or cream.

What Is Black Coffee?

Black coffee, also known as “clear coffee” or in Hong Kong “zai fei” , is simply brewed coffee without any milk, sugar, or other additives. It’s made directly from roasted coffee beans and aims to highlight the pure flavour of the coffee. Importantly, instant coffee does not count as black coffee.

What About White Coffee?

White coffee originates from Ipoh, Malaysia. It refers to coffee beans roasted with butter, then brewed and mixed with sweetened condensed milk. Essentially, it’s a type of sweetened latte. In the U.S., “white coffee” can also mean lightly roasted beans brewed using espresso methods, resulting in a higher-acidity, brighter cup.

Flavoured Coffee Varieties

Flavoured coffee includes a wide range of drinks where syrups, spices, or other additives like chocolate, fruit juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange blossom are mixed into the coffee. These are often tailored to local taste preferences and can significantly alter the flavour profile.

Espresso-Based Coffees Explained

Espresso (Espresso)

An espresso is a small, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. This method produces a rich shot with a layer of crema on top. It’s the base for many other café drinks.

Cappuccino

A cappuccino consists of an espresso shot topped with steamed milk and a thick layer of milk foam, often in equal thirds (1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 foam). Optional toppings include cinnamon, spices, or chocolate powder. A “double” cappuccino uses two shots of espresso.

Latte (Caffè Latte)

A latte, or caffè latte, is made with one shot of espresso and two or more parts of steamed milk, often with a small amount of foam. It may also be prepared with double espresso shots. In French, it’s known as café au lait.

Macchiato

A macchiato is an espresso “stained” with a small amount of steamed milk foam. The term means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian. It’s a stronger coffee with just a hint of milk.

Mocha (Caffè Mocha)

A mocha combines espresso, chocolate (often syrup), steamed milk, and sometimes whipped cream or ice cubes. It’s a sweet, dessert-like coffee drink.

Americano

An Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot (or shots) of espresso. This dilutes the espresso, creating a coffee similar in strength to but different in flavour from regular drip coffee. It’s smoother than straight espresso.

Irish Coffee

This is a warm cocktail made with espresso or black coffee, Irish whiskey, and topped with whipped cream. It’s a coffee-drink hybrid for those who enjoy a buzz with their brew.

Viennese Coffee

Invented by Austrian coachman Eduard Schönauer, Viennese coffee is served with whipped cream and sprinkled with coloured, candy-like sugar. It’s a dessert-style coffee enjoyed for its texture and sweetness.

Vietnamese Coffee

Brewed using a small metal drip filter called a phin, Vietnamese coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee and letting it drip slowly into a cup. It’s typically served sweetened with sugar or sweetened condensed milk. In Vietnam, it’s enjoyed both hot and iced. Due to inconsistent local coffee quality, condensed milk is often added to balance bitterness. Popular in both summer (iced) and winter (warm, sometimes served in a heated bowl).

Other Regional Specialties

Mandheling Coffee: Grown in Sumatra, Indonesia, this single-origin coffee is known for its bold, full-bodied profile with earthy, spicy, and slightly sweet notes.
Iced Coffee (Frappé): A cold coffee drink mixed with milk foam, sugar, and ice. Designed to be refreshing, it minimizes the bitter notes and is especially popular in summer.

Popular Café Coffee Types at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A latte contains more steamed milk and usually less foam than a cappuccino. A traditional cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam, while a latte is mostly steamed milk with a small amount of foam and a shot (or more) of espresso.

Is black coffee just strong coffee?

No, black coffee refers specifically to coffee served without milk or sugar. It can be any brew method, including espresso or filter, as long as it’s consumed plain to highlight the coffee’s natural flavours.

What is an espresso shot made of?

An espresso shot is made by forcing hot water (around 90–96°C) through finely-ground coffee under high pressure (9–10 bar). It typically takes 25–30 seconds to pull a standard 30ml (1 oz) shot using a grind size around 1.5–2 on a commercial grinder.

What’s in a Vietnamese coffee?

Vietnamese coffee is brewed using a small metal phin filter. Coarsely ground coffee drips slowly over hot water into a cup. It’s commonly served with sugar or sweetened condensed milk, especially in the sweetened versions popular across Vietnam.

What makes a macchiato different?

A macchiato is a shot of espresso “marked” with a small amount of steamed milk foam. It’s stronger and less milky than a cappuccino or latte, with the foam just lightly altering the colour of the espresso.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Classic Café Drinks

For making classic café drinks like espresso, cappuccino, and latte, FrontStreet Coffee offers several reliable blends. Their Classic Blend is designed for espresso and milk drinks, producing rich crema and a smooth, rounded profile. The Black Cocoa Blend offers bold, chocolatey notes and great value for high-volume cafés. For a more traditional espresso taste, the Specialty Blend combines Brazilian and Colombian beans for a balanced, familiar profile. All three are ideal for home or commercial use. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.