The Pioneer Woman's Guide to Different Types of Coffee

It’s safe to say that Ree Drummond is officially obsessed with coffee! "To say I couldn't live without it is an understatement," she says. Not only does The Pioneer Woman start every morning with a cup of joe, but she even created her very own line of flavored coffee pods to go with her pretty floral coffee maker.

If you’re a coffee aficionado like Ree, then you probably already know a thing or two about coffee—like how to make the perfect iced coffee at home or how to use coffee in your favorite coffee recipes. But when it comes to ordering coffee from your favorite café or coffee shop, the options seem to be getting longer and longer every year! From espresso-based drinks to coffees served with steamed milk or foam—ordering a cup of coffee isn’t as simple as it seems! Luckily, we’re breaking it all down with our guide to different types of coffee, including which beans have more caffeine for the ultimate morning boost!

Even for avid coffee drinkers, the variety of coffee drinks out there can be tricky to navigate. You could brew drip coffee for yourself every day and still not know what distinguishes coffee from espresso, or how to tell a latte from a cappuccino. Keep reading for an easy guide to different types of coffee, starting with the most common coffee bean varieties. You might be inspired to switch up your café order or even whip up some fancy drinks at home! For more caffeine-friendly ideas, check out these guides to the best espresso machines and the best coffee subscription services.

Types of Coffee Beans

Before you purchase your next bag of coffee beans, keep in mind that the type of beans you buy, where it was sourced, and how it was roasted will all affect the taste and aroma of your cup of joe. For instance, you can get coffee beans from all over the world, but coffee from Hawaii will taste different from coffee beans harvested in Brazil or Ethiopia. And, according to the National Coffee Association USA, the coffee plant is grown in "more than 50 countries around the world!"

But first, what exactly are coffee beans, anyway? Coffee beans aren't actually "beans" at all—they're actually the roasted seeds from the coffee plant. The plant produces fruit (called the coffee cherry) which holds the seeds (or beans) inside them. Once pitted, the coffee beans are dried, roasted, ground, and used to make coffee! While there are hundreds of varieties of coffee plants, most beans fall into two main categories: Arabica and Robusta. But what’s the difference?

Yunhee Kim

Arabica

Perhaps the most popular type of coffee bean out there, Arabica are considered the highest quality and often come with a matching price tag to boot! They produce coffee with a sweeter, less harsh taste compared to Robusta.

Robusta

Though they're typically cheaper and more bitter than Arabica, Robusta beans benefit from having a higher caffeine content. They're often used to make instant coffee or espresso blends.

Types of Hot Coffee Drinks

There’s nothing like a steaming hot cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning. Whether you keep things simple with a brewed black coffee or opt for something sweet and milky like a mocha latte, here are the best types of hot coffee to choose from:

Black Coffee

No frills here: Black coffee is made from plain ground coffee beans that are brewed hot. It's served without added sugar, milk, or flavorings.

Decaf

Coffee beans naturally contain caffeine, but roasters can use several different processes to remove almost all of it. Decaf coffee is brewed with these decaffeinated beans.

Espresso

Most people know that a shot of espresso is stronger than the same amount of coffee, but what's the difference, exactly? There isn't anything inherently different about the beans themselves, but when beans are used to make espresso they're more finely ground, and they're brewed with a higher grounds-to-water ratio than what's used for coffee. The result is a thicker, more concentrated liquid with a bolder flavor. A single espresso is a one-ounce shot. It's also the base for popular coffee-shop drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Latte

David Malosh

This classic drink is typically 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, topped with a thin layer of foam, but coffee shops have come up with seemingly endless customizations. You can experiment with flavored syrups like vanilla and pumpkin spice or create a nondairy version by using oat milk. Skilled baristas often swirl the foam into latte art!

Cappuccino

This espresso-based drink is similar to a latte, but the frothy top layer is thicker. The standard ratio is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. It's often served in a 6-ounce cup (smaller than a latte cup) and can be topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Macchiato

A macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a touch of steamed milk or foam. In Italian, macchiato means "stained" or "spotted," so a caffè macchiato refers to coffee that's been stained with milk.

Americano

Order this drink and you'll get a shot of espresso diluted with hot water.

Café au Lait

This fancy-sounding French drink is actually super simple: It's equal parts coffee and steamed or scalded milk.

Cortado

This drink, which hails from Spain, is half espresso, half steamed milk. Unlike many Italian coffee drinks, it contains little to no foam. It's typically served in a 4.5-ounce glass.

Flat White

Like the latte, this drink consists of espresso and steamed milk, but the ratio of espresso to milk is higher. Baristas also fold the milk as it steams, which creates a more velvety texture. The flat white has roots in Australia and New Zealand.

Mocha Latte

This sweet twist on the latte is flavored with sugar and chocolate, usually in the form of cocoa powder, melted chocolate, or syrup.

Red Eye

When you need an extra caffeine boost, go for this two-in-one drink: It's coffee with a shot of espresso.

Irish Coffee

This boozy drink is a combination of black coffee, whiskey, and sugar, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Ree's mom used to make Irish coffee all the time, and now Ree does, too.

Types of Cold Coffee Drinks

During the summer months, these iced coffee varieties feel like a special treat, but many of them are surprisingly easy to make at home! Just take Ree's word for it—she keeps a batch of cold brew concentrate in her fridge for busy mornings.

Iced Coffee

Is there anything better than a glass of iced coffee on a hot day (or any day, for that matter)? The simplest way to make it: Brew a regular cup of hot coffee, then cool it over ice. Add whatever milk and sweeteners you like.

Iced Latte

The chilled version of a latte is simply espresso and milk over ice.

Cold Brew

Ralph Smith

Cold brew is one of the biggest coffee trends of the last decade, and for good reason: It's made by slowly steeping coffee grounds over cool or room-temperature water, so it tastes smoother and less bitter than regular iced coffee, which is brewed hot.

Ree discovered the method more than a decade ago and has been making her perfect iced coffee that way ever since! Keep in mind that cold brew is more concentrated than iced coffee, so it's often more caffeinated. You can dilute it with milk or cream. Here's how to make cold brew coffee at home.

Nitro Cold Brew

Cutting-edge coffee roasters developed this newer type of cold brew using techniques from the beer industry: It's infused with nitrogen bubbles, so it has a frothy, beer-like texture. Trendy coffee houses dispense nitro cold brew from taps, and you can buy it by the can from brands like RISE Brewing Co. and Starbucks.

Frappe

This word can be used to describe a variety of coffee and espresso drinks that have been blended with ice. The slushy-like drinks often contain some kind of milk and a flavored syrup, plus a top layer of whipped cream. If you're like Ree and don't have a Starbucks down the block, try her homemade Frappuccino recipe!