From Latte to Blend: Understanding Coffee’s Unique Vocabulary
Coffee vocabulary can be confusing, even for everyday drinkers. Espresso vs. latte, roast vs. blend, cupping vs. tasting – it’s easy to mix things up. Luckily, getting a handle on the basics is easier than you think, and it makes your coffee experience even richer.
Espresso (not Expresso)
This one trips up a lot of people. The little shot of concentrated coffee is called espresso—with an “s.” It comes from the Italian word for “pressed out,” describing how hot water is forced through finely ground beans. Whether you pronounce it with an “x” or not, your barista knows what you mean—but now you know the story behind the word.
Coffee’s Version of a Sommelier
Wine has sommeliers. Coffee has Q Graders—sometimes casually called “coffee sommeliers.” These are trained tasters who evaluate coffee quality, aromas, and flavors with incredible precision. They help roasters and importers source the best beans, and their work shapes much of what ends up in your cup.
Tasting vs. Cupping
Wine experts taste. Coffee experts cup.
Cupping is a formal process for evaluating coffee. Multiple small bowls of coffee are brewed, then tasters slurp loudly (yes, it’s supposed to sound dramatic!) to spread the liquid across the palate and pick up subtle flavors. It may look odd, but it’s the gold standard for discovering what makes a coffee unique.
Latte vs. Caffè Latte
A “latte” is actually short for caffè latte, which means “coffee with milk” in Italian. In Italy, asking for a “latte” might just get you a glass of milk. Outside Italy, though, the shorthand stuck, and now “latte” universally means espresso + steamed milk.
Roast vs. Blend
These two words get mixed up a lot:
- Roast = how the beans were roasted (light, medium, dark).
- Blend = beans from different origins combined to create a balanced flavor
So whether you’re ordering an espresso (not expresso 😉), or casually dropping the word “cupping” into conversation, you’ve officially leveled up your coffee vocab. Next stop: impressing your friends at brunch with your new coffee knowledge—no latte art required.