In a tea dominant country like India, coffee made its mark after the café culture set foot in the country. Almost every coffee beverage served in a cafe consists of three common ingredients: espresso, steamed milk and foam. The base of most beverages is an espresso brew, which is a result of pressurised hot water passing through ground coffee, using an espresso machine. The force of the water produces a highly concentrated coffee shot.

Cappuccino – This is the most popular type of coffee; a cappuccino consists of three distinct layers. The first is a shot of espresso, then a shot of steamed milk, and finally a layer of thick, frothed milk is added on the top. Sometimes a bit of chocolate or cinnamon powder is sprinkled.

Latte -Two-thirds of this beverage is made of steamed milk, which is poured over a shot of espresso and then topped with a layer of milk foam. This is the creamiest type of coffee beverage, and is very popular as well. It is a great coffee drink to enjoy with flavours like vanilla, chocolate, caramel or hazelnut.

Espresso - This is made by forcing nearly boiling water under pressure through coffee grounds, resulting in a brew that’s thicker than those made from other brewing methods. Espressos are intense, full-flavoured and bitter in taste. The extraction process forms a thick and delicious layer of crema on the top. This beverage is used as base for other coffee beverages.

Americano - Hot water is poured over an espresso to dilute it, turning a shot of espresso into a large cup of coffee with a thin layer of crema. It’s strong and bitter just like an espresso, but with more water.

Macchiato - A macchiato is made with a shot of espresso that is then topped with a small amount of milk foam.  It is stronger than a cappuccino as there’s no steamed milk added and it’s normally served in an espresso-sized cup.

Mocha – A combination of a cappuccino and a hot chocolate. This sweet beverage is made by mixing chocolate powder or syrup with an espresso shot and then adding steamed milk and a little foam on the top. Sometimes whipped cream is added.

Affogato – A dessert and a coffee beverage in one. To make an affogato, one scoop of vanilla ice cream is added into a glass and a single or double shot of espresso is poured over it. The ice cream melts into the coffee, creating a rich, creamy coffee float.

There are many more beverages, because coffee has a little something for everyone. Chances are, even the most avid coffee lover would not taste every single type of coffee in their lifetime. However, knowing the different variations, will make ordering or even preparing coffee a much better experience.