We all know the fear that comes with trying to figure out what you want from a huge, unfamiliar menu. This is especially true for me when it comes to coffee shops because so many of the terms are unfamiliar and confusing. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed and too nervous to ask a barista for help, look no further than this infographic.
The difference between light and dark roast isn’t related to caffeine. It’s about the taste. Light roast is sweeter, whereas dark roast is more bitter. Each flavor profile is developed by roasting coffee beans at different time intervals and temperatures.
Two common coffee terms are drip and espresso. Espresso has a higher concentration of caffeine due to its method of preparation. Espresso is made by “forcing very hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee,” while drip coffee is made by filtering boiling water through medium-coarse coffee grounds.
So let’s get to ordering. What’s the difference between a café latte and cappuccino? A latte is creamier with only a small amount of foam compared to a cappuccino. Generally, a cappuccino has less steamed milk and more foam on top. A café latte is essentially the same thing as a café au lait, but a café au lait is made with drip coffee instead of espresso. Keep calm and sip on, my friend. You’re basically an expert on coffee now. For more information on fancy coffee drinks, check out this infographic!