Hey coffee lover, how many styles of the brew have you tried?
Tomorrow, October 1, is being celebrated all over the world as International Coffee Day. Qatar Living has an exciting contest for you. Snap a picture of your favourite coffee drink and tag us #QLCoffeeLove on Instagram and Twitter. The best entries will get a chance to win vouchers for…what else? COFFEE!
Now, allow us to introduce you to seven of the most popular styles of the brew preferred by aficionados around the world.
1. Espresso
This is a strong black coffee, made in an espresso machine, by forcing high-pressured steam through dark-roast aromatic coffee beans. The mark of a perfectly brewed espresso is the thick, golden-brown foam on the surface. The thicker the foam, the better the coffee.
While espresso is the foundation for many other kinds of coffees, purists prefer to drink it with nothing other than maybe a pinch of sugar.
2. Cappuccino
This is a hugely popular coffee drink whichever coffee shop you go to. A real cappuccino is a combination of equal parts espresso, steamed milk and milk froth. It can also sometimes double up as a dessert. Sprinkle a little unsweetened cocoa powder or grated chocolate on top and the taste is elevated to another level.
3. Caffe Latte
Simply put, a caffe latte is a single shot of espresso to three parts of steamed milk. It is perfect for dipping cookies and fresh Italian bread.
4. Caf au Lait
This is a traditional French drink made with brewed coffee instead of espresso. It is made in a 1:1 ratio with steamed milk and is considered a weaker form of caffe latte.
5. Americano
Americano is a single shot of espresso added to a cup of hot water. The name is thought to have originated as an insult to Americans, who used to dilute their espresso when it first gained popularity.
6. Caramel Macchiato
Once again, there are different ways to make this. The most common method is to combine espresso, caramel and foamed milk. Sometimes, vanilla is added to give extra flavor.
7. Cafe Mocha (Mochachino)
This is a cappuccino or a caffe latte with chocolate syrup or powder added. There are different ways to make it, so be sure of what you want before ordering.
