Drinking coffee has become much more than just a way to wake up in the morning. It has evolved into a social ritual, with an entire industry springing up to accommodate the rising popularity. With this popularity, many different names for coffee drinks have been introduced. These days, there are so many choices available, all of which have their own descriptive names.
If you find yourself confused as to how to order your coffee, here are some guidelines that will help.
If you enjoy your coffee with milk, there are several different options. One of the most familiar is Café au Lait, which is brewed coffee with an equal amount of milk added. There are several coffee drinks made with espresso and steamed milk, which provide a different taste than traditional coffee with milk. Of these, cappuccino is probably the most well known. A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk. It differs from cafe latte, which is just a single shot of espresso with steamed milk.
If you are looking for pure caffeine, a straight shot of espresso may be just what you need. Even these have variations, and some are much stronger than others. Espresso shots have been popular in Europe for decades although some shops will now sell you a diluted version known as an Americano. An Americano is a shot of espresso with hot water added to dilute it. These were originally developed in Italy during World War II for American soldiers who could not drink straight espresso. Another very popular drink in Europe is an Espresso Con Panna, which is a shot of espresso topped with whipped cream.
Regardless of the name, coffee remains one of the most popular drinks in the world.
