Mastering Coffee Orders: Clear Up Your Confusion

I like coffee, a lot, especially iced coffee. For as much as I enjoy coffee I really have no idea how to order it unless it's just cream and sugar. Recently, I visited a new to me coffee shop that wasn’t Dunkin’ or Seven7Brew, where I get the same thing over and over.

After looking at the menu board for way longer than I should have, I walked to the counter with a “deer in the headlights” look at the guy helping me. It was like I had never ordered a coffee before.

I really have no idea what the difference between iced coffee, cold brew, mocha, cappuccinos, frappe’s, latte’s, espresso’s, etc. are. I just know I want something cold and sweet. So what is the difference?

I'm sure that I'm not the only one that gets a little nervous when ordering something other than coffee. According to the Artisan Coffee & Food Marketing here are some of the differences.

The Major Differences Between Latte, Cappuccino, and Mocha:

Cappuccino – 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 foamed milk
The espresso is toned down with milk, but the coffee taste is still featured.
Latte – 1/6 espresso, 4/6 steamed milk, 1/6 foamed milk
This is a milk based drink with just a little coffee.
Mocha – 2/5 espresso, 2/5 chocolate, 1/5 steamed milk
A strong coffee with a chocolate flavor.

The difference between a Cappuccino and Latte are simple: both have Espresso and milk, but the milk content is what makes the difference. The Latte has more, and has a creamier taste. The Cappuccino has less milk, and a stiff head of foam, compared to the Latte, which has a short head of foam. All a Mocha adds is the addition of chocolate (usually syrup).

A Macchiato is Espresso with a little steamed milk on the top. Espresso is a drink that is brewed by forcing hot water into very finely ground coffee. The name came from the method of brewing (‘express’) and because of the coffee grounds under pressure.

A Frappe is made from ice cream, milk and flavored syrup, usually. It may also have coffee or coffee flavoring. A Latte is half milk, half Espresso. A Frappe is iced and Mocha has chocolate.

Espresso is very strong, but when it’s a Latte, it's not so strong. A Cappuccino is an Espresso with steamy foamed milk on top. Try a Latte or a Mocha Latte, and add any flavorings you want, like hazelnut, vanilla, or almond. If you like a cold ones. Frappuccinos are like a milkshake, YUMMY. You can add any extra flavorings you want to those too.

Now what is the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?. According the people at Food & Wine, here’s the rundown .

What Is Cold Brew?

Cold brew is kind of a deceiving. A better word to describe what we know as cold brew would be cold steep, or cold infusion, but it doesn't sound as good. Cold brew never really go through a brewing process — when it comes to coffee, it means mixing with boiling water. Instead, cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in room temperature or cold water for many hours.

It can be made in cold brew filters fitted with a filtered compartment for grounds, or in a large container where grounds mix with water before being strained out. Unlike brewed coffee made quickly with boiling water, coffee grounds slowly release their flavors and essential oils over 12 to 24 hours.

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While cold brew has become synonymous with coffee, it is an infusion technique that has historically been used for tea to yield a more gentle, aromatic flavor profile. Yes, I'm using their words, not mine. I just know that it tastes good.

What Is Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee is made like hot coffee, where grounds are brewed with hot water over a short period of time. Whether it’s through a drip coffee maker or a pour over, coffee grounds quickly bloom under hot boiling water. The result is coffee in minutes, compared to many hours. Since iced coffee is so easy to make, it’s the perfect drink for trying out different coffee syrups.

Do Cold Brew and Iced Coffee Taste Different?

Cold brew has a bolder flavor than iced coffee since it brews longer where iced coffee is usually milder in taste. Since cold brew is a more intensely flavored coffee, you may want to try putting in a little water for a better blend. Cold brew is strong, where iced coffee can be a little thinner.

Now I know the difference but I'm not very confident in my coffee ordering ability yet. How about you? You could do what I'm going to try - print this out and keep it with me. I hope it helps.