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Saturday, December 7, 2013

Coffeehouse 101: Different Types Of Coffee Drinks

By Debrah Elliot


If you love coffee and coffee-based drinks, you probably enjoy a daily trip to your favorite coffeehouse. The menu board no doubt lists items such as lattes, mochas, cappuccino and espressos. Coffeehouse owners don't just use these words to sound upscale and sophisticated; they are actual terms that describe what type of drink you are ordering. Here are a few coffee definitions and facts for your enjoyment.

Many coffee drinks are espresso-based, which has more to do with the method than the bean. While some coffee beans might be labeled as "espresso beans," any type of bean can be used. Espresso is a process and a drink, not a bean type. The beans are finely ground and compacted, and hot water is forced through the grounds using a great deal of pressure. The liquid extracted is very rich, and a single two-ounce serving of espresso has more caffeine than a typical cup of coffee you might make in your coffeepot at home.

Coffee has long been popular around the world, but not everyone craves the strong flavor of a straight espresso, no matter how beautifully it has been prepared. According to some legends, the caf Americano was invented for just such a purpose. During World War II, it was said, U.S. soldiers preferred their espresso diluted, and this new drink was named after the Americans. Whether or not this is true, the Americano has become popular around the world.

Some like it dark, but some prefer coffee with milk or cream. If you love the addition of steamed milk or foam, there are many options, including the popular French coffee drink caf au lait. This is drink that is half milk and half coffee and very popular as a morning beverage. Lattes and cappuccinos also are popular morning fare. The latte is espresso and milk with a topping of foam, while the cappuccino is espresso and foam.

A few of the other common drink names include the macchiato, which is supposed to be just a shot of espresso topped with a dash of foam. In most American coffeehouses, it resembles a latte more than a true macchiato. If you love chocolate and coffee, you probably have enjoyed your share of caf mochas, which are a type of latte that begins with some rich chocolate at the bottom of the cup, followed by espresso and then the steamed milk.

No matter what coffee drinks you love, the best place in L.A. to get a cup is at Island Monarch Coffee. This Culver City coffeehouse takes its coffee very seriously. Beans are imported from Kona and South America and are roasted after they arrive to ensure the freshest possible flavor. Beans are used within just a few days of roasting, as well, and the water is also special. Island Monarch Coffee uses water that has been purified using reverse osmosis to truly allow the flavor of the coffee come through.




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