The 17 Types Of Coffee (and Their Characteristics And Benefits)
Since it was prepared as an infusion for the first time in Arab countries and was later exported and spread throughout Europe in the 17th century, coffee has become one of the most consumed beverages worldwide.
Highly known for its stimulating properties and its ability to combat fatigue and tiredness, in addition to other beneficial properties, since the origins of its consumption, different forms of preparations have been developed, existing today. a wide variety of types of coffee that we can drink That is why throughout this article we will see some of the most common and well-known on the market.
Although it is a widely known concept, before talking about types of coffee it may be appropriate to briefly mention what we call coffee.
We call this the drink obtained through the infusion made with the roasted beans (whether whole or ground) of the coffee tree or coffee plant, a small shrub native to Africa and Asia and which has subsequently been exported throughout the world. With a bitter and intense taste, it is a product high in caffeine, which has stimulating and activating properties for our body.
The type of flavor and properties of the drink obtained will depend largely on the conditions in which the plants from which the grains are to be obtained grow, being, for example, light, humidity, climate, grain separation method and the roasting process prior to grinding, elements to take into account in addition to the existence of different species and varieties to explain variations in flavor and potency.
Three basic types depending on the origin of the plant
Although there are a large number of countries in which coffee trees are grown, the truth is that at a general level we can find three main types of coffee depending on the variety of the plant that is grown, with two species being mainly used and the The third option is the combination of grains of both types.
The type of coffee that is most used and at the same time most appreciated is the one that corresponds to the first variants used to make the drink: Arabica coffee.
This species from Ethiopia and with several subspecies tends to be delicate and provide a bean with a very aromatic flavor and a considerable amount but less than the other existing variety in terms of caffeine level. Despite its African origin, it is currently most cultivated in the countries of South America, Asia and Central America
robusta coffee
Although it tends to be less used on a general level, this variety has the important characteristic of having a much higher level of caffeine than the previous one, something that pIt causes the flavor it produces when drinking to be much more intense and with a much more bitter tone.
Combinations
A large part of the coffees we drink do not come only from one of the two previous species and their varieties, but generally we are faced with a mixture in different proportions of both. The exact proportion may depend among other things, the type of preparation that is intended to be carried out.
Main types of coffee depending on their preparation
In addition to the type of coffee tree from which it is obtained, it is very useful to keep in mind that there is a wide variety of types of coffee based on the type of preparation we carry out with the beans or if we accompany it with elements such as milk, cocoa or even alcoholic beverages. Some of the best known are the following.
1. Expresso/ Black coffee
One of the most basic and simple types of coffee, it only consists of a coffee infusion which It is made by boiling water in contact with the grain It can be prepared in just a few seconds. It is a short type of coffee, and its size is usually around 30 cl. The use of Arabica coffee is common. It usually has some foam on top.
This variant of espresso is characterized by having the same amount of coffee as the previous one but using a smaller proportion of water
3. Cortado or macchiato
One of the most popular in general, we call Cortado or Macchiato a type of espresso coffee to which a slight amount of milk is added, which stains or stains the coffee.
4. American
American coffee is a type of coffee derived from espresso which is characterized by adding a much larger amount of water than usual in this type of preparation, resulting in a product with a less powerful and somewhat more watery flavor, something that makes it It makes it less bitter and facilitates a sweet taste. In this case An espresso would be made first and boiling water would be added externally
5. Long/long
What is known as long coffee is a type of coffee in which the extraction of water in contact with the coffee beans takes place for a longer period of time, which leads to a greater amount of infusion. It differs from the previous one in the fact that here it is directly the infusion that is produced in greater quantity , without having to add water externally. It is usually served in cups or even long glasses.
Cappuccino is another of the most common coffees, being similar to coffee with milk with the exception that in this case we will only find around a third of coffee, the rest being milk. Generally much of this is foamed, and some cocoa is usually added sprinkled powdered to give it a sweeter flavor.
10. Mocha
This is a variant of coffee with milk in which, in addition to milk and coffee, chocolate or cocoa in the form of syrup or powder is necessarily used.
11. Irish coffee
A type of double espresso in which Whiskey and a consistent layer of whipped cream or cream are added. It is usually served in a cocktail glass
12. Viennese coffee
A type of coffee that can be single or double espresso which Instead of milk, it is served with cream or cream in a lower proportion than that of the coffee itself.
13. Frappe
One of the few variants whose conceptualization is directly as cold coffee, the frappe is made with ground instant coffee, ice, and heavy cream.
14. Aztec
Little known and also conceptualized as cold coffee, this variety is characterized by incorporating coffee, ice and milk as well. one or more scoops of ice cream, regardless of flavor (but usually chocolate). It is practically closer to a dessert than an infusion.
Other types
Those mentioned so far are probably the best-known types of coffee, but they are far from the only ones. There is a large number of possible variants that are more or less common in different countries or regions, and even today others appear from time to time that incorporate new aromas or ingredients.
