100+ Coffee Terms: The Ultimate Coffee Glossary

TermDefinition
AcidityA taste characteristic in coffee that is often described as bright, tangy, or citrusy, with a high acidity level indicating a brighter and more lively flavor profile
AeroPressA type of coffee maker that uses air pressure to force coffee through a filter and into a mug or glass
AffogatoA type of coffee made with a shot of espresso poured over vanilla ice cream
American ShotA type of coffee made with a single shot of espresso, typically served in a small cup or glass
AmericanoA type of coffee made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water
ArabicaA species of coffee plant known for its mild, smooth flavor and lower caffeine content
Arabica BlendA type of coffee made from a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans
AromaThe smell of coffee, especially before drinking
BaristaA professional coffee maker, often responsible for preparing and serving coffee drinks in a café or coffee shop
Batch BrewA type of coffee brewing method in which a large amount of coffee is brewed at once, typically for serving several people
Bean HopperThe top part of a coffee grinder where the coffee beans are stored before being ground
Bean-to-CupA type of coffee machine that grinds fresh coffee beans and brews coffee directly into a cup or carafe
BicerinA type of coffee made with espresso, chocolate, and heavy cream, typically served in a small glass
BitterA taste sensation commonly associated with coffee, caused by the presence of certain compounds in the coffee beans
Black EyeA type of coffee made with two shots of espresso added to a regular cup of drip coffee
Blade GrinderA type of coffee grinder that uses a spinning blade to chop coffee beans into smaller pieces
BlendA type of coffee made from a mixture of coffee beans from different regions or countries, often blended to create a specific flavor profile
BlendingThe process of mixing together different types of coffee beans to create a specific flavor profile.
BloomThe process of pouring hot water over coffee grounds and allowing the grounds to expand and release gases before brewing, used in some manual brewing methods
BodyA taste characteristic in coffee that refers to the perceived thickness and weight of the coffee in the mouth, with a high body indicating a rich, full-bodied flavor profile
BreveA type of coffee made with espresso and steamed half-and-half, as opposed to steamed milk
Breve LatteA type of coffee made with a shot of espresso and steamed half-and-half, as opposed to steamed milk
Brew RatioThe ratio of coffee to water used in a specific brewing method, typically expressed in grams of coffee per liter of water.
Burr GrinderA type of coffee grinder that uses rotating burrs to crush coffee beans into a uniform grind size
Caffè Latte MacchiatoA type of coffee made with espresso, steamed milk, and a small amount of milk foam, typically served in a tall glass
CappuccinoA type of coffee made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam
Caramel MacchiatoA type of coffee made with espresso, caramel syrup, steamed milk, and milk foam, typically served in a tall glass
ChemexA type of pour over coffee maker, consisting of a glass flask with a wooden collar and leather tie
CloverA type of espresso machine that uses vacuum pressure to extract coffee and allows for precise control over extraction parameters
Coffee CherryThe fruit that surrounds the coffee bean, often referred to as the coffee fruit
Coffee CooperativeA group of coffee farmers who work together to produce and sell coffee, often with a focus on sustainable and fair trade practices
Coffee Cupping SpoonA long, shallow spoon used in the cupping process to break the surface of the coffee and release the aroma
Coffee EstateA large coffee farm or plantation, typically producing a single origin coffee
Coffee ScaleA small digital scale used to weigh coffee beans and hot water when brewing coffee, used for consistent and accurate brewing results.
Cold BrewA type of coffee made by steeping ground coffee in cold or room temperature water for several hours
Con PannaA type of coffee made with a shot of espresso and a dollop of whipped cream on top
CortadoA type of coffee made with espresso and an equal amount of warm milk, served in a small glass or cup
CremaThe creamy, golden foam that forms on top of a freshly brewed shot of espresso
Cuban CoffeeA type of coffee made with strong espresso, sugar, and a small amount of warm milk, typically served in a small glass.
CuppingThe process of tasting and evaluating coffee, often used by coffee professionals to assess the quality and flavor profile of a coffee
Cupping FormA standardized sheet used to record the results of a cupping, typically including information on the aroma, flavor, body, and acidity of the coffee
Dark RoastA type of coffee roast that is darker in color and has a stronger, bolder flavor profile, often with a slightly smoky or bitter taste
DecafCoffee that has had most or all of its caffeine removed
Dirty ChaiA type of chai tea latte made with a shot of espresso added to the tea
DoppioA double shot of espresso, typically served in a small cup or glass
DoserA mechanism on some espresso grinders that dispenses a specific amount of grounds into the portafilter
Double EspressoTwo shots of espresso served in a single cup
Drip BrewA method of coffee brewing that involves slowly pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter
Drip CoffeeA type of coffee made by dripping hot water over ground coffee and into a coffee pot or mug
Dry ProcessA type of coffee processing method in which the coffee cherries are dried with the beans still inside, resulting in a more complex, earthy flavor profile
EspressoA type of coffee made by forcing a small amount of hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure
Espresso BlendA type of coffee blend specifically designed for making espresso, often using a mix of Arabica and Robusta beans
Espresso MachineA type of coffee machine that uses pressure to extract coffee from ground coffee beans, typically used to make espresso and other coffee drinks
Espresso RoastA roast profile specifically designed for making espresso, typically characterized by a darker color and a bold, intense flavor
Espresso ShotA single serving of espresso, typically 1 to 2 ounces
ExtractionThe process of removing coffee solubles from the coffee grounds and into the water, resulting in brewed coffee
Extraction YieldThe amount of coffee extracted into water, expressed as a percentage of the total mass of coffee used
Flat WhiteA type of coffee made with espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture
French PressA type of coffee maker that uses a metal or mesh plunger to press coffee grounds to the bottom of a glass or metal carafe
Green BeansUnroasted coffee beans
Green CoffeeUnroasted coffee beans, which are typically lighter in color and have a grassy or vegetal flavor profile
GrinderA machine used to grind coffee beans into grounds
GrindingThe process of breaking down coffee beans into smaller pieces to increase their surface area and allow for extraction of flavor during brewing
Hario V60A type of manual coffee maker that uses a cone-shaped filter for making pour over coffee
Iced CoffeeA type of coffee made with cold or room-temperature water, typically served over ice
Irish CoffeeA type of coffee made with whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream, typically served in a glass or mug
K-CupA type of single-serving coffee pod used with Keurig coffee makers
LatteA type of coffee made with espresso, steamed milk, and a small amount of milk foam
Light RoastA type of coffee roast that is very light in color and has a bright, acidic flavor profile, often with fruity or citrus notes
Long BlackA type of coffee made with a double shot of espresso poured over hot water
LungoA type of espresso made with a larger amount of water, resulting in a milder and less concentrated shot
MacchiatoA type of coffee made with a shot of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk
Manual Espresso MachineA type of espresso machine that requires the user to manually control all aspects of the brewing process, including the grind size, tamping pressure, and shot volume
Medium RoastA type of coffee roast that is lighter in color than dark roast, with a milder, sweeter flavor profile
MochaA type of coffee made with espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream
Moka PotA type of stovetop coffee maker that uses steam pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds and into a small carafe or mug
MouthfeelThe overall sensation and texture of a coffee in the mouth, including factors such as body, acidity, and tannins
Nitro Cold BrewA type of cold brew coffee that is infused with nitrogen gas, resulting in a creamy, smooth texture and a slightly sweet taste
Piccolo LatteA type of coffee made with a single shot of espresso and a small amount of steamed milk, served in a small glass
PortafilterA handle with a basket that holds the ground coffee for brewing espresso
Pour OverA manual brewing method in which hot water is poured over coffee grounds, allowing the water to pass through the grounds and into a coffee pot or mug
Pour Over StandA metal or wooden stand used to hold a pour over coffee maker, typically designed to hold the carafe and allow the brewer to pour hot water over the coffee grounds
Pre-InfusionThe process of allowing hot water to soak into the coffee grounds for a short period of time before brewing, used in some espresso machines
PullThe act of brewing a shot of espresso
Red EyeA type of coffee made with a shot of espresso added to a regular cup of drip coffee
RistrettoA type of espresso made with a smaller amount of water, resulting in a stronger and more concentrated shot
RoastThe process of heating coffee beans to a high temperature to bring out their flavor and aroma
Roast DegreeA measure of how darkly a coffee bean has been roasted, with light, medium, and dark being the most common categories
Roast ProfileThe specific way a coffee is roasted, including the time, temperature, and rate of rise, which affects the flavor and body of the coffee
RoasterA machine or person responsible for roasting coffee beans
RobustaA type of coffee plant that is hardier and easier to grow than Arabica, with a stronger, more bitter flavor profile
Semi-Automatic Espresso MachineA type of espresso machine that allows the user to manually control some aspects of the brewing process, such as the grind size and tamping pressure
Single OriginCoffee beans from a single location or farm, as opposed to a blend of beans from multiple sources
Single Origin CoffeeA type of coffee made from beans grown in a single location, often with a focus on the unique flavor characteristics of that specific region
SiphonA type of coffee maker that uses vacuum pressure to extract coffee from the brewing vessel
Specialty CoffeeA type of high-quality coffee that is grown and processed with care and attention to detail, often with a focus on sustainable and fair trade practices
Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)A professional organization for coffee professionals, dedicated
Superautomatic Espresso MachineA type of espresso machine that grinds, tamps, and brews coffee automatically
SyphonA type of manual coffee maker that uses vacuum pressure to extract coffee
TamperA tool used to compress the ground coffee in the portafilter for brewing espresso
TampingThe process of packing or compressing ground coffee into a portafilter or basket, used in espresso brewing
Tamping PressureThe force used to compress the ground coffee in the portafilter for brewing espresso
Tasting NotesDescriptive words or phrases used to describe the flavor and aroma of coffee, such as fruity, floral, or chocolatey
Turkish CoffeeA type of coffee made by boiling finely ground coffee, sugar, and spices in a cezve or ibrik, a small copper or brass pot
Vacuum PotA type of coffee maker that uses two glass chambers and vacuum pressure to extract coffee
Wet ProcessA type of coffee processing method in which the coffee cherries are removed from the beans before drying, resulting in a cleaner, milder flavor profile