There are many ways to drink coffee. With or without milk, more or less thick, creamy or sweet. “Recipes” created to make coffee into multiple drinks. For amateurs, reading on a menu that “latte”, “espresso”, “ristretto”, “au lait” or “frappé” coffees are available can quickly turn your head. What are the different coffee preparations? We present them to you.
Coffee, the ultimate energy drink
It is not without reason that we associate coffee with a “boost drink”. In question ? Its caffeine content. This natural stimulant comes directly from the alkaloid molecule, which acts on the nervous system. Caffeine therefore “blocks” any feeling of relaxation that could be triggered by adenosine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making the body drowsy. Conversely, it “wakes up” other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine or norepinephrine. Enough to maintain concentration and our responsiveness.
The different coffee preparations
Coffee is, of course, the first drink we think of when we want to stay alert, while remaining a bitter drink that does not please everyone. Although there are drinks that replace coffee for a “boost” effect, loving coffee can be learned. Some have adopted it forever, while others have learned to love it. By adding a little milk to soften it or sugar to support it, you end up liking it. So that everyone can benefit, an entire universe exists around coffee.
The great classics
Espresso coffee
It is the “classic” coffee, served as is in a small cup. Its texture is thick, with a light foam naturally formed on top, the “crema”.
Variations of espresso
From a small espresso, coffee can become a pure marvel. Some add a second quantity of espresso (doppio coffee), whipped cream (espresso coffee with panna), pour it over ice (cafe con hielo) or even, on a marshmallow (caffe gummosa). In a lighter version, espresso is also available with a slice of lemon served on the side (espresso romano), or by adding a volume of water equal to the quantity of espresso (zorro coffee).
Ristretto coffee
This little coffee is actually a “short espresso”, with half the amount of water. Ristretto is therefore more concentrated in caffeine than espresso, and stronger in the mouth.
Lungo coffee
Conversely, we find the “long” version of coffee, with the lungo or “long coffee”. This contains more water and generally fills a mug rather than a small cup.
The Americano
This coffee is prepared with an espresso, over which hot water is poured once in the cup. The effect is immediate: the “crema”, the slightly foamy layer formed above the coffee, dissolves. In appearance, Americano resembles coffee prepared with a filter, unlike capsule coffee.
Milk coffees
The trick to sweetening coffee is none other than milk. Thanks to this “magic” ingredient, the coffee becomes as delicious as it is creamy. All are prepared with an espresso, or a shot of espresso (then poured in half quantity). Milk, cream or both are then poured in, in greater or lesser quantities, with or without milk foam. Depending on the preparation, the coffee is no longer the same.
By pouring as much hot milk as there is coffee in a cup, you will obtain a coffee with milk. In the case where you add only a small amount of milk to the coffee, you get a cortado coffee. If it is a simple hint of milk, this is a hazelnut coffee. If more milk is added than there is coffee in the cup, then it is a coffee slat. By adding milk foam on top, the coffee turns into cappuccino. Similar to cappuccino but without hot milk, with only milk froth poured over a shot of espresso, we obtain a macchiato coffee. This same recipe but with a double shot of espresso under the milk foam, transforms the macchiato into coffee galao. Instead of milk foam, you can find whipped cream. The preparation in this case is called a Viennese coffee, like one of the variants of hot chocolate, Viennese chocolate. Finally, we find the coffee bombon, a Spanish preparation in which condensed milk is added to espresso. What if we added a little cream to the coffee? By combining a touch of cream with a touch of milk, you will obtain a short coffee.
Cold coffees
Coffee is a hot drink that can also be prepared cold. Classically, we call “cold brew coffee” a coffee prepared with simply cold water. These preparation methods are called “long” since they require a slower infusion time. 10 to 24 hours to prepare a coffee? This is the time required to prepare a cold brew coffee, infused in cold water, to which a few ice cubes are added before serving. Another preparation and another name, by adding ice cubes to hot brewed coffee, you obtain a iced coffee.
Gourmet coffees
What if we made our coffee chocolate? With a little cocoa powder added to the milk poured into an espresso, we prepare a espresso. Also we find the coffee mocaccino : a coffee prepared like a Cappuccino, to which cream and chocolate are added. A pure delicacy!
For a “Greek-style” coffee, we turn to the Ice coffee. Hot coffee, a little cold water, sugar and a few ice cubes, all shaken in a shaker. When shaken, the texture becomes foamy. To be enjoyed fresh.
For a “dessert coffee”, we opt for a affogato coffee. This Italian preparation is very simple: pour over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, an espresso coffee and that’s it!
Finally, the most famous alcoholic coffee:irish coffee. Coffee, cream, whiskey, a little sugar to sweeten everything and it’s ready.
