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Baked, Brewed, Beautiful

All The Coffee Terms You Need To Know

in Brewed on 08/27/20

white espresso cup on a saucer with coffee beans
white espresso cup on a saucer with coffee beans

In no time, you’ll be throwing out all kinds of coffee jargon.

coffee cup with coffee beans on a saucer
  • Coffee speak can feel overwhelming whether you’re new to coffee or just entering the world of third wave coffee.  
  • With so many coffee drinks out there, it’s good to know the differences to get your coffee order right the next time you’re out. 
  • Here’s a list of the most common coffee words and definitions.  

Have you ever been totally overwhelmed by coffee speak? It seems like there’s a world of coffee jargon that everyone seems (or pretends) to know, use, and understand. 

To help you out (and to save you from becoming a total poser), here’s a list of the most frequently used coffee terms with their definitions. 

BREWING

Aeropress

A piston-style brewing device that forces coffee through a thin paper filter directly into a cup, producing a quick and clean tasting coffee. 

Chemex

An hourglass-shaped filter coffee brewer invented by Peter Schlumbohm. An example of the pour over method. 

 

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Drip method 

Coffee made by exposing beans to hot water without using excessive pressure. Typically done with a percolator, an in-home coffee maker, a press pot, or a filter. 

Filter coffee

Drip coffee that is made with a cone (made of ceramic, glass, or plastic) lined with a paper filter. Professionals often prefer this method, as it provides the most control over all variables. 

French press

Coffee-making method that involves adding ground beans and hot water to an instrument containing a plunger and a filter. The grounds are then pushed to the base of the vessel.

French press from costa coffee with coffee insider on a cement background

Pour over method

See filter coffee definition.

Siphon

A brewing device that uses vacuum pressure and a series of vessels, known for producing fruity and bright coffee. 

DRINKS

Affogato 

Ice cream topped with a shot of espresso. 

Americano 

Shot of espresso mixed with hot water, producing a very strong coffee (also what you’ll receive when you ask for a coffee in Europe). 

Café au lait 

Brewed coffee mixed with a foamy layer of steamed milk.

Milk frother pouring into a clear mug

Cappuccino

A popular coffee drink made by combining a single or double shot of espresso with a layer of frothy, foamy hot milk. Typically 5 to 7 ounces.

Cold brew 

Coffee made by slow-steeping water and coffee grounds for hours, resulting in a dark and intense cup of coffee. Served over ice.

Cortado

Espresso topped off with steamed milk. Typically, 4 ounces. 

Crema

Light brown layer of emulsified oils that lives on top of an espresso shot.

 

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Espresso

Concentrated coffee produced when hot water is forced through very fine coffee grounds. Typically, 2 ounces or less. 

Flat white

A foamy, milky coffee beverage similar to a cappuccino, but with even MORE milk.  

Latte 

A popular coffee order made by combining espresso and steamed, foamy milk. Typically 8 ounces or more. 

coffee mugs and saucers on a wooden plank with espresso, seltzer, and a hot latte

Macchiato 

Espresso topped with steamed milk. Typically, 2 to 3 ounces. 

Mocha 

Chocolate syrup mixed with espresso and steamed milk. 

COFFEE ROASTING 

Dark roast 

Beans that are roasted at high temperatures for long periods of time (that is, compared to both light and medium roasts). Dark roast beans boast of a dark brown shade and an oily surface area. When brewed, they have a full, thick body and a chocolatey flavor profile.

Light roast

Beans that are roasted at a lower temperature and for a shorter amount of time compared to that of dark roast beans. This produces a light brown shade in the beans and a dry surface. When brewed, light roast coffee tends to have a lighter body (like tea) with herbal and fruity tasting notes. 

wooden bowls filled with green coffee beans and regular roasted coffee beans

Medium roast 

Roasting time and temperature is in between that of dark roast and light roast beans. Light brown in color with hardly any oil on the exterior, medium roast coffee beans have medium acidity and a more rounded flavor profile.

Roasting

The process of converting green beans into roasted coffee beans. Can be done a number of ways such as with an industrial size roaster, a cast iron pan, or even a popcorn maker.

BEANS 

Coffee blends 

Coffee beans that hail from multiple locations and are roasted and mixed together. Blends can be made up of coffee from all around the world. They also can have deep and complex flavor profiles, if done well.

Green beans 

Beans that have yet to be roasted, also known as green coffee. 

Single origin 

Coffee beans that are from one place, typically from a certain country or region. Single origin coffee is often more expensive than blended coffee due to limited availability. 

COFFEE SHOP LINGO

Barista

Someone who prepares your coffee at a coffee bar or coffee shop. 

Coffee bar 

A cafe or a bar in which coffee and usually refreshments are served. 

Cupping

A method of tasting employed by coffee professionals in which coarsely-ground coffee beans are steeped with hot water in small, shallow bowls. Commonly, tasters use flat spoons to slurp or sip the coffee. 

Latte art 

Beautiful patterns and designs produced by pouring properly steamed milk into espresso drinks. 

 

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I'm Cheyenne — freelance writer & coffee lover. On this blog, you'll find coffee hacks, how-to’s, common mistakes, espresso dessert & drink recipes, home coffee bar design ideas, and reviews on the latest coffee machines, grinders, and other coffee-related products.

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An affogato is an Italian dessert consisting of va An affogato is an Italian dessert consisting of vanilla ice cream that is covered by freshly prepared espresso. Enjoy it for breakfast or as an after-dinner dessert.

Though it seems pretty basic in theory, there are a few things to know before going about it to save yourself a few easy-to-make mistakes. Read on for the best affogato-making secrets.

1. The quality of the espresso doesn’t have to be top-tier.

2. The vanilla bean ice cream, on the other hand, does need to taste good…REALLY good. Since an affogato is mostly ice cream, it needs to be high-quality ice cream. It will make or break your final result.
(Try Salt & Straw if you haven’t already!) 

3. Pour the espresso over the scooped ice cream as soon as you can after the shot has been pulled.

4. Garnish the finished product with chocolate shavings and a one-inch square of prepared salted brownies.

Full recipe on the blog. Click the link in bio to view in full🍦
Coffee Pairing of the Week: Wisconsin’s Famous K Coffee Pairing of the Week: Wisconsin’s Famous Kringle with Gesha Coffee 

While some of us are familiar with wine and cheese pairings, most of us are not as familiar with coffee and food pairings (and I don’t know about you, but I tend to enjoy this combo much more frequently than the former). 

As a tribute to my home state, I attempted to make kringle, and I’ve discovered it’s a lot harder than it looks. The one pictured is actually a kringle from an authentic Danish bakery in WI because my first attempts have yet to be successful. And while kringle is good on its own, it’s even better when perfectly paired with a Gesha coffee. 

The reason I went with this choice is because Gesha coffee is almost like a tea. The flavors are complex and boast of sweet, floral notes. Gesha coffee also has a much lighter body than most other coffees. This mild quality works to delicately compliment the buttery and fruity flavors of this pastry, but it won’t entirely overtake the wonderful flavors of the kringle.

Do you have a favorite Gesha coffee? I’ve shared my favorite in the comments below!
A day without coffee leaves a latte to be desired. A day without coffee leaves a latte to be desired...apologies — couldn’t resist the double pun here🙈

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Coffee Pairing of the Week: Rustic Apple Tart with Coffee Pairing of the Week: Rustic Apple Tart with a Full-Bodied, Fruity Blend
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When coffee is paired properly, you’re able to taste enhanced flavors of both the coffee and the food. Foods that are buttery, such as this apple tart, are excellent companions. The coffee intensifies and complements the buttery sweetness of the crust, making for a perfect match.
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