There was a time – not so long ago – when the only coffee on offer was a cappuccino (or its daggy aunt, the mugaccino). Now coffee menus are varied, long and sometimes impossible to decipher. But it’s worth knowing which coffee is which, because you never know – you might have been drinking lattes all these years, only to discover that actually, you’re more of a piccolo person.

Espresso
Also commonly called a ‘short black.’ The name comes from the process of expressing the coffee extract from the bean. A single shot of pure coffee. For two shots, ask for a double shot espresso or a ‘doppio.’

Doppio
Meaning ‘double’ in Italian, doppio refers to a double shot of espresso.

Ristretto
Italian for ‘restricted’ or ‘shortened’. A rich and concentrated espresso drink using less water but the same amount of coffee, making it less bitter than a standard espresso.

Short macchiato
An Italian word meaning ‘marked’ or ‘stained’. A single shot of espresso is stained with just enough steamed milk to change the colour of the coffee.

Long macchiato
An Italian word meaning ‘marked’ or ‘stained’. A double shot of espresso is stained with just enough steamed milk to change the colour of the coffee.

Long black
Also known as an ‘Americano.’ One and a half shots of coffee blended with steamed water.

Piccolo
This is a single espresso shot in a macchiato glass that is then filled with a small amount of steamed milk in the same fashion as a latte.

Latte
A little bit of espresso and a lot of milk, with a thin cap of foam. Ideally served in a glass.

Flat white
An espresso with steamed milk. Similar to a cappuccino, but with smaller proportions of foam.

Cappuccino
The world’s most popular retail coffee. Steamed and foamed milk over a shot of espresso, topped with foam. Usually topped with chocolate powder.

Mocha
Named after the port of Mocha. Made with chocolate, espresso, steamed or frothed milk, and topped with whipped cream.

Affogato
Italian for ‘drowned.’ A shot of espresso poured over the top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato. A dessert favourite.

Thanks to The Specialty Coffee Book, available now from all good bookstores.