Guides

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links are affiliate links. Quick answer: A cortado is a double espresso cut with an equal volume of warm steamed milk — approximately 50ml espresso to 50ml milk, served in a small glass. At around 100ml total, it’s one of the smallest milk-based espresso drinks. It sits…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links are affiliate links. Quick answer: A flat white is smaller (130-150ml vs 200-220ml), uses a more concentrated espresso base (double ristretto vs standard double), has thinner microfoam that integrates fully with the milk, and tastes noticeably more intense. A latte is milder, larger, and has a…

Note: This is an informational guide. Quick answer: A traditional macchiato (espresso macchiato) is a single espresso stained with a small dash of steamed milk or foam — approximately 35-45ml total. It’s a small, strong drink that softens the espresso’s intensity slightly without fundamentally changing its character. The large, sweet, layered Starbucks “macchiato” is…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. Quick answer: A latte is larger (200-220ml), has more milk, a thinner foam layer, and a milder flavour. A cappuccino is smaller (150-180ml), has equal parts espresso, milk and thick foam,…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. Quick answer: Espresso is a short, concentrated shot (25-35ml) with intense flavour and thick crema. An Americano is that same espresso diluted with 100-150ml of hot water — producing a longer,…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links within are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Every coffee drink you’ll find on a café menu — explained clearly, with the exact espresso ratios, milk volumes and foam depths that define…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links within are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Quick answer: A flat white is a double ristretto (approximately 40ml of concentrated espresso) topped with 90-100ml of steamed milk with very fine microfoam…

Note: This is an informational guide. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Quick answer: Clean your espresso machine daily (2 minutes), weekly (5 minutes), and monthly (30 minutes for descaling). Neglecting cleaning is the fastest way to…

Disclosure: Home Barista Guide uses affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our recommendations. Quick answer: The best decaf coffee beans for espresso in the UK are Swiss Water Process decafs from specialty roasters — particularly Pact Coffee’s…

Disclosure: Home Barista Guide uses affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our recommendations. Quick answer: The AeroPress is genuinely one of the best coffee makers available at any price — not because it makes espresso (it doesn’t)…