Coffee Glossary
The espresso-drink vocabulary, in plain English — from crema to microfoam to dry vs wet.
- Espresso
- A small, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. It is the base of cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and most café drinks. Learn more →
- Crema
- The thin, reddish-brown layer of foam that forms on top of a well-pulled espresso shot, made of emulsified oils and CO₂.
- Ristretto
- A "restricted" espresso pulled with less water, producing a shorter, sweeter and more concentrated shot. Often used in flat whites.
- Steamed milk
- Milk heated and textured with a steam wand. More air makes foam; less air makes the silky milk used in lattes and flat whites. Learn more →
- Foam (dry foam)
- The thick, airy layer of aerated milk that tops a cappuccino. Lighter and stiffer than microfoam. Learn more →
- Microfoam
- Milk steamed with minimal air into a glossy, paint-like texture. It integrates into the drink and is what latte art is poured with. Learn more →
- Cappuccino
- An espresso drink of roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick foam. Strong-tasting and airy. Learn more →
- Latte
- An espresso drink with lots of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam. Mild, milky and gently sweet. Learn more →
- Macchiato
- Italian for "stained." Traditionally a shot of espresso marked with a little milk (caffè macchiato); also used for the milk-based latte macchiato. Learn more →
- Flat white
- A small, strong milk coffee — usually a double shot with silky microfoam and less milk than a latte. Learn more →
- Cortado
- A small Spanish drink of espresso "cut" with an equal amount of lightly steamed milk and minimal foam. Learn more →
- Mocha
- A latte with chocolate added — sweeter and richer, often finished with whipped cream. Learn more →
- Americano
- Espresso lengthened with hot water into a black, filter-strength coffee with espresso character. Learn more →
- Café au lait
- A French drink of brewed (not espresso) coffee combined with an equal amount of hot milk. Learn more →
- Latte art
- Patterns such as hearts and rosettas poured into a drink using silky microfoam. Learn more →
- Dry / Wet cappuccino
- Ordering terms: a dry cappuccino has more foam and less milk; a wet cappuccino has more milk and less foam. Learn more →
- Frappuccino / Frappé
- A cold, blended, sweetened iced drink that may or may not contain coffee — closer to a milkshake than a café espresso drink. Learn more →
- Caffeine
- The natural stimulant in coffee. In espresso drinks it comes from the shots, not the milk, so drink size does not change it. Learn more →