All The Coffee Terms You Need To Know

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

• 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.