Coffee is an infamous brewed beverage of African origin prepared from roasted coffee beans. It contains a stimulant called caffeine – the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world and is hence the most consumed beverage worldwide due to its ability to increase energy levels and help people feel less tired. Coffee is also known to have multiple health benefits, thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients. Evidently, coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases such as liver cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure.
Undoubtedly, we've all been there, standing in the long queue at our favorite coffee shop, and feeling anxious throughout as to picking the ideal drink, given that coffee is the basis for an endless array of beverages, mainly attributed to its invigorating effect. Well, without any further due, now let's dive deep into the foams of your go-to morning drink, exploring the most widely consumed species of coffee beans all the way down to brewing your favorite cup of delight.
Types of coffee beans
Typically, there is only two species of the coffee plant that supply almost all the world's consumption – Arabica and Robusta. Now let's quickly look into how they differ from one another.
Arabica
Arabica is by far the most popular species of coffee beans that originated from the highlands of Ethiopia and are apparently the first-ever coffee to be consumed. The species makes up about 20% of the world's coffee and is likely to have derived its name from 7th-century Arabia. Coffee enthusiasts all over the world usually prefer Arabica beans over Robusta due to the sweeter, more complex flavor that you can drink straight. Typically used for black coffee, it is said to have lower caffeine content than the Robusta beans.
Robusta
Robusta is the second most popular coffee species that originated in sub-Saharan Africa and is now grown primarily in Africa and Indonesia. It is particularly because it is a less expensive and highly caffeinated variant, making it a budget-friendly choice for roasters. Due to its bitter flavor, it is often mixed into coffee blends and used expresso drinks that will wake you right up on a lazy Monday morning.
Types of coffee drinks
The kind of coffee that you desire depends entirely on the brewing style that causes changes in the flavor and strength of the drink. The wide range of coffee drinks that you can explore and brew with few small beans is extremely overwhelming. Let's look at the most popular types of coffee ordered by coffee newbies as well as coffee connoisseurs worldwide.
Americano
Americano is a specially brewed coffee consisting of an espresso shot perfectly diluted with hot water, giving it a similar flavor to a traditionally brewed black coffee. The strength of the Americano varies depending on the proportion of the number of shots of espresso and the amount of added.
Expresso
Expresso is a coffee-brewing technique in which a small amount of hot boiling water is forced under pressure through freshly grounded coffee. The shot can be served solo or as the base for a wide variety of coffee drinks like latte and macchiato.
Black
Black coffee or café noir is simply a warm brewed coffee devoid of any additives such as milk, sugar, or cream. Typically made in a pot, black coffee allows the brewer to savor the flavor of freshly roasted coffee beans entirely.
Latte
Café latte is undoubtedly the most popular drink among coffee drinkers worldwide that narrows down to a hot espresso shot blended with steamed milk and topped with some delicious foamed milk. It is usually served plain or with an added flavor from vanilla to pumpkin spice.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is an expresso-based coffee latte with a thicker layer of foam than steamed milk, topped with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon. Variations of drinks involve the use of heavy cream or non-dairy kinds of milk instead of plain steamed milk, as well as flavor shots. Serve with some buttery, flaky, extremely delicious croissant fresh on a wooden board from Kitchen Board Maniacs.
Macchiato
Caffe macchiato or espresso macchiato is an expresso-based coffee drink with just a small splash of milk and topped with a very minimal amount of foam. The beverage has the highest ratio of espresso to milk among all the caffeinated drinks and hence the milk moderates the taste of coffee while adding a touch of sweetness rather than overwhelming the taste.
Mocha
Caffe Mocha or mochaccino is a popular chocolate espresso-based drink commonly served in a glass with steamed milk and foam. A mochaccino in its most basic form can be referred to as a hot chocolate with an added shot of espresso, topped with distinctive milk froth. Serve with some freshly baked brownies on your premium quality state shaped wooden board from Kitchen Board Maniacs.
Types of iced coffee drinks
Undoubtedly, nothing in this whole wide world is as refreshing as a freshly brewed cup of chilled iced coffee on a scorching summer afternoon. That toasted, roasted coffee amalgamated with some icy, creamy sweetness that sends chills down your spine is totally worthwhile. Let's quickly look at a few iced coffee drinks that are loved by coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
Iced coffee
Iced coffee is a typically brewed coffee served cold with a dash of milk, sugar, or sweetener, either by brewing the coffee cold or by brewing the coffee normally and eventually serving it over ice or cold milk.
Iced expresso
Iced expresso is a cold and refreshing iced coffee that can be served straight or with a dash of milk, cream, or sweetener an iced expresso starts with freshly brewed coffee, that is eventually served either chilled over ice or as expresso-based drinks like americanos, lattes, mochas, macchiatos, and flat white.
Cold-brew
Cold-brew is the trendiest of the iced coffee family, made from freshly grounded coffee beans steeped in ice-cold water for over 20 hours. Once the coffee beans are done steeping, strain the coffee concoction, i.e, Cold Brew, and add some chilled milk or cream of your choice. Enjoy with some fresh berry topped cake on served on a fine maple wood board exclusively from Kitchen Board Maniacs.
Frappuccino
Frappuccino or Frappe is a thick blended iced coffee beverage topped with some whipped cream or ice cream and syrup. It is the trademark brand of Starbucks and is basically thick black expresso coffee served with frothed milk. Variations of frappes involve decaffeinated drinks as well as additive alternatives such as expresso shots, flavored syrups, chocolate syrups, or flavored syrups.
Now it's time for you to throw on an apron, get your hands on some freshly grounded coffee and start experimenting with being your own barista. Let's welcome that caffeinated jolt with these exquisite coffee creations that will definitely make an excellent addition to your weekend brunch bash.