There are a lot of different espresso-based drinks, sometimes this much variety can be confusing. I have a friend who admitted that she didn’t like to go a coffee shop. She couldn’t choose between macchiato, latte, cappuccino, mocha, and many others because she didn’t know what they were. She was embarrassed to ask the barista what the differences were, so she started to buy a different coffee drink every day.
What makes these coffee beverages different from each other? What are the distinctive characteristics between them?
Espresso Based Drinks
All the coffee based drinks in coffee shops are a mix of two base ingredients, espresso and milk. These are also called espresso based drinks for this reason. Some recipes call for extra ingredients such as cocoa, chocolate, ice, sugar, vanilla, etc… Espresso and milk based drinks are great for people with sensitive stomach, because the milk tones down the coffee. Caffeinated beverages such as latte, mocha, and cappuccino are also a great way to break the daily coffee routine or to be served at parties. Espresso drinks are usually made using an espresso machine, which is the traditional method. This is what you are buying from a coffee shop. However, you can make your latte at home using cheap equipment, if you want to ditch your barista.
Cappuccino vs Latte vs Mocha
Here are 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. Full cappuccino recipe. - Latte – 1/6 espresso, 4/6 steamed milk, 1/6 foamed milk
This is a milk based drink with just a little coffee. More about latte… - Mocha – 2/5 espresso, 2/5 chocolate, 1/5 steamed milk
A strong coffee with a chocolate flavor. Full recipe here. - Flat White – 1/3 espresso, 2/3 frothed milk
Very similar to cappuccino, but the milk is micro-foamed and it doesn’t have the dry foam top. - Mocha latte – 1/8 espresso, 5/8 steamed milk, 1/8 foamed milk, 1/8 hot chocolate
A latte with a hint of chocolate. - Mochaccino – 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 frothed milk, 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
A cappuccino with a hint of chocolate.
