Coffee Vocabulary Quiz
12 questions on coffee terms: espresso, roast, barista, grind and the language of the cafe. B1–B2 level.
Coffee Vocabulary — FAQ
Espresso is a small, concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. It has a strong flavour and forms the base for many other coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos.
A barista is a person trained to prepare and serve coffee in a cafe. They grind beans, pull espresso shots, steam milk and create drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes, often paying close attention to taste and presentation.
Grinding breaks roasted beans into particles so water can extract their flavour. The grind size matters: espresso needs a fine grind, while filter coffee uses a coarser one. Freshly ground coffee usually tastes better than pre-ground.
Both start with espresso. A latte has a large amount of steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, giving a mild, creamy drink. A cappuccino has more foam and less milk, so it tastes stronger and feels lighter.
Roasting is the process of heating green coffee beans until they turn brown and develop their flavour and aroma. Light roasts taste brighter and more acidic, while dark roasts taste bolder and more bitter.
Crema is the thin layer of golden-brown foam that sits on top of a well-made espresso. It is formed by oils and gases released under pressure and is often seen as a sign of fresh beans and good preparation.
Decaf, short for decaffeinated, is coffee from which most of the caffeine has been removed. It lets people enjoy the taste of coffee with far less of the stimulant, which is helpful for those sensitive to caffeine or drinking it late in the day.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves and some other plants. It increases alertness and reduces tiredness by acting on the brain, which is why many people drink coffee in the morning.
Cold brew is coffee made by soaking coarsely ground beans in cold water for many hours, often overnight. The slow process produces a smooth, less acidic drink that is usually served chilled, sometimes with ice or milk.
A macchiato is an espresso 'marked' with a small amount of foamed milk. The word means 'stained' or 'spotted' in Italian. It is stronger than a latte or cappuccino because it contains much less milk.