Five Popular Coffee Beverages and How to Make Them at Home

Coffee is not just a drink; it’s a craft, an art form that has been perfected over centuries. At Terran Coffee, we celebrate this artistry every day, with every bean we offer. Fresh roasted coffee is a game changer for any coffee lover. At Terran Coffee, we offer a selection of 46 different types of coffee.

Head over to terrancoffee.com toady and pick your favorite brew or discover a new favorite. Sign up for a coffee subscription and get the coffee of your choice delivered to your door while saving some money to spend on other things like coffee cups, sweeteners, creamers, and of course, more coffee!

Once you have your favorite bag of Terran Coffee in hand, all that’s left to do is brew. Then you can craft your favorite coffee shop beverage at home assuming you have an espresso maker as espresso is the base for many popular coffee beverages. Now that you you’re your coffee, here’s how you can bring the magic of some of the most popular coffee beverages into your own home.

Classic Espresso

The espresso, as we know it today, hails from Italy, where the quest for a quick yet flavorful coffee led to the invention of the espresso machine in the late 19th century. This innovation allowed for a concentrated brew, achieved by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure.

Ingredients:

• Freshly ground espresso beans
• Filtered water

Instructions:

• Preheat your espresso machine
• Grind the beans to a fine consistency
• Tamp the grounds firmly into the portafilter
• Brew for 25-30 seconds until you get a rich, caramel-colored crema

The Silky Latte 

The latte, or “caffè latte,” which translates to “milk coffee,” also originated in Italy. It became popular in the 1950s and is essentially espresso mixed with steamed milk, often topped with a bit of froth, creating a smooth and creamy delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• Steamed milk
• A touch of froth

Instructions:

• Prepare a shot of espresso
• Steam the milk until it’s hot and frothy
• Pour the steamed milk over the espresso from a low height for a smooth blend
• Top with a spoonful of froth

The Frothy Cappuccino 

The cappuccino, with its equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy milk, has roots in Italian coffee culture as well. Its name is inspired by the color of the Capuchin friars’ robes and was popularized in the early 20th century, following the development of the espresso machine.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• Equal parts of steamed milk and froth

Instructions:

• Brew a shot of espresso into a warm cup
• Steam the milk until it’s thoroughly frothy
• Pour the steamed milk and froth into the cup with the espresso, aiming for a 1:1:1 ratio

The Sweet Mocha 

Mocha, named after the port city of Mocha in Yemen, is known for its rich blend of chocolate and coffee. The modern mocha, combining espresso with chocolate and milk, likely evolved from earlier European chocolate-infused coffee drinks and became popularized in Italy.

Ingredients:

• 1 shot of espresso
• Steamed milk
• Chocolate syrup or cocoa powder
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix the chocolate syrup with a shot of espresso
• Add steamed milk and stir well
• Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an extra treat

The Iced Americano 

The Americano is a product of World War II, when American soldiers in Italy diluted espresso with hot water to mimic the coffee back home. The iced version simply takes this concept and cools it down with ice, making it a refreshing choice for warmer climates or seasons.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 shots of espresso
• Cold water
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Brew the espresso shots
• Fill a glass with ice cubes
• Pour the espresso over the ice
• Add cold water to taste, stir, and enjoy the refreshing chill

Each of these drinks reflects a unique blend of culture, history, and innovation, coming together to form the rich tapestry of coffee traditions we enjoy today. Whether it’s the robust intensity of an espresso or the chilled pleasure of an iced Americano, these beverages have traveled from their origins to coffee cups worldwide.