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Coffee Drink Types and Preparation Tutorial: Milk Coffee Beverage Differences and Mocha Coffee Bean History

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/28, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). 1. Black coffee: Also known as pure coffee or plain coffee, commonly called straight coffee. It refers to coffee brewed directly from coffee beans without adding milk, sugar, or other ingredients that might affect the original coffee flavor. Instant coffee does not fall within the category of black coffee. 2. White coffee

In modern society, specialty coffee has become increasingly popular. Are you still worried about going to a coffee shop but not knowing how to order? Today, FrontStreet Coffee will guide you through a typical coffee shop menu, explaining different types of coffee beverages and briefly introducing their origins. We hope this introduction will help you find your favorite coffee drinks.

What You'll Learn from This Article

Learn about the most popular espresso-based beverages
Gain in-depth understanding of how they are made
Discover the history behind them and how they came to be

All beverages are based on espresso, which means a double shot of espresso is the foundation of each drink. First, let FrontStreet Coffee introduce what espresso is!

What is Espresso?

Espresso is coffee brewed on an espresso machine at appropriate pressure (typically 9 bars). It's crucial to ensure water passes through correctly within the right time to avoid under-extraction or over-extraction. If the extracted espresso is very light in color and tastes acidic, this might be due to overly coarse grind. Alternatively, if the coffee tastes very bitter and the extraction time becomes longer, it's most likely because the grind is too fine.

Take FrontStreet Coffee's espresso extraction as an example: 35 grams of espresso liquid are extracted from 20 grams of coffee grounds. However, this ratio is not absolute—it depends on the desired flavor profile. If you want to extract more coffee liquid, the coffee will be thinner and bitterness will be more pronounced. If you extract less coffee liquid, it will be more viscous, rich, and concentrated but incomplete.

The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) has a general definition for espresso: "Espresso is a 25–35 ml beverage prepared from 7–9 grams of coffee (14–18 grams for a double) through water at 90.5°–96.1°C temperature under 9–10 atmospheres of pressure, with the coffee grind adjusted to achieve a brewing time of 20–30 seconds."

The History and Origin of Espresso—Where It All Began...

In 1884, Angelo Moriondo was the first to patent his "steam-driven instant coffee beverage making device." This is considered one of the earliest discoveries of the espresso machine.

In 1901, Luigi Bezzera made many improvements to this original design and patented it, which he later continued to sell. Since then, espresso has become the foundation for many coffee beverages, and it rapidly gained popularity throughout the 1990s in the United Kingdom.

Americano

What is an Americano?

An Americano refers to coffee made by adding hot water to espresso. It's often confused with pour-over coffee or drip coffee, but they are quite different. Drip coffee is made using various filtering devices such as Aeropress, Kalita, V60 dripper, Chemex, etc.

Translated as "Americano." Although not officially confirmed, it's believed that the Americano originated during World War II from Americans. While in Italy, American soldiers diluted espresso with hot water to create a beverage they were more familiar with. This is the origin of the term "Americano," which has been used ever since.

Milk-Based Coffees and Their Differences

What is a Latte?

A latte consists of the same three components as a cappuccino: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.

Since the 17th century, adding milk to coffee has existed when people needed the stimulating effect of coffee but without the bitterness.

At that time, because cappuccinos and lattes were very similar, there wasn't a very strict distinction. In 1867, the term "caffè latte" was used in novelist, playwright, and literary critic William Dean Howells' essay "Italian Journeys," which is the first recorded use of this term in English.

What is a Cappuccino?

It's one of the most famous hot drinks on the street, also composed of three parts: espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. Cappuccinos contain the richest milk foam, which provides the perfect texture when combined with espresso.

Where did Cappuccino Originate?

By the late 18th century, some regions of Europe began filtering coffee to achieve a smoother beverage. In Viennese coffee houses, with the addition of cream and sugar, the term "cappuccino" was born. "Capuchin" translates to hood or cloak, and at that time, Viennese monks wore brown robes similar to the color of cappuccino. This is how the name of this now world-famous beverage originated.

What is a Flat White?

A Flat White is a beverage similar to a latte but with different proportions, resulting in a stronger flavor. Lattes are typically served in 8-10 ounce cups, while flat whites are served in 6 ounce cups. Therefore, the coffee to milk ratio is approximately 1:3.

Where did the Flat White Come From?

Its origin is highly controversial. According to Starbucks, the flat white is an Australian invention. Since originating in Australia in the 1980s, the Flat White has become a staple in UK coffee shops and is now a new favorite among coffee lovers in the United States and Canada. Starbucks customers in Australia have been enjoying this drink in stores since 2009, while UK customers have been loving it since 2010.

However, New Zealand coffee enthusiasts strongly oppose this claim, believing that Wellington is the birthplace of the flat white.

What are the Differences Between Latte, Cappuccino, and Flat White?

Generally, the ratio of espresso, milk, and foam in a cappuccino is 1:1:1. A latte has less foam than a cappuccino. A flat white has almost no foam and is served in a smaller cup.

What is a Mocha?

Mocha coffee is simply a coffee beverage with chocolate added, and it's also a regular fixture on domestic coffee shop menus.

The History of Mocha Coffee

You might have asked yourself, what does "mocha" mean, and what does it have to do with chocolate? The term "mocha" originates from varieties of coffee beans grown in Yemen. Mocha coffee beans were named after the port of Mocha, from which they were shipped from this Middle Eastern country. Locals used to ask about this unusual coffee bean with chocolate flavor. As chocolate became increasingly common throughout Europe, many countries began adding it to coffee for deliciousness and sweetness.

What is a Macchiato?

A macchiato is a stronger coffee beverage than a latte, providing more intense flavor and caffeine. In Italian, macchiato means "stained" or "spotted," which refers to the milk foam on top of the beverage. This drink is traditionally served in a small espresso cup, with 1-2 teaspoons of hot milk poured on top.

This has led to the very popular caramel macchiato in China, which has departed from the traditional macchiato definition and is more like a latte. The preparation method is consistent with a latte, except that caramel sauce is added on top of the coffee.

In addition to these common coffee beverage types, there are many more different coffee varieties, such as Irish coffee, Viennese coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Turkish coffee, and more. If you're interested, you can find some leisure time to visit a nearby coffee shop and chat with a barista!