Almost everyone enjoys this popular drink, whether it’s savored on its own or served alongside cakes or other foods. The word “coffee” originates from the Arabic word “qahwa,” which is short for “qahhwat al-bun,” meaning “wine of the bean.”
Coffee was not originally called coffee; it was first utilized by tribes in East Africa as an energy-boosting food rather than a drink. It was the Arabs who transformed coffee into a beverage and named it qahwa. The Arabs then spread coffee as a trade commodity alongside the dissemination of Islam.
The best coffee comes from the Bean Belt, the area around the equator, and Indonesia is included in it. So, it’s no surprise that Indonesia has some of the best coffee in the world.
Although there are more than 50 types of coffee, both local and global communities only recognize two primary types: Arabica and Robusta, each with various methods of preparation. What are they?
1. Espresso
Espresso
If you are a coffee lover, this type is likely familiar to you. Espresso is known as a bittersweet coffee with a high concentration, served by forcing hot water through ground coffee. The term espresso comes from Italian, meaning “quick,” and it is typically served to guests in small cups known as shots. Its strong black coffee is thick, bitter, and robust, with a delightful aroma—this is a pure form of coffee preparation.
2. Affogato
Affogato
This method of serving coffee is somewhat unique and rarely heard of unless you’re at a café specializing in authentic coffee drinks. Affogato comes from the Italian word meaning “drowned.” It is prepared by placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom of a glass and then pouring hot espresso over it. The vanilla ice cream will melt and mix with the espresso, creating a sweet flavor from the ice cream.
3. Americano
Americano
Americano is a variation of how espresso is served. Initially, not only the Italians enjoyed coffee, but soldiers in World War I also liked it. However, they found one shot of espresso too bitter for their taste. Therefore, they added one shot of espresso to a cup of hot water, which was then named Americano.
4. Cappuccino
Cappuccino
In addition to espresso, this type of coffee is more commonly recognized. Cappuccino is a variation of espresso preparation, made by steaming milk and combining it with a shot of espresso to create a smooth foam from the milk, resulting in a sweet flavor. Technically, the ratio for making cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third frothed milk, and one-third steamed milk.
5. Caff latte
Caff latte
People might mistakenly think Caff latte is the same as cappuccino. Although they appear similar, they have different flavors. The mixture is similar to cappuccino but with different ratios. Caff latte consists of one-third espresso, a little milk froth, and two-thirds steamed milk. It’s no wonder that its appearance is similar to cappuccino; Caff latte is more popular in the United States.
6. Caff mocha
Caff mocha
When talking about Caff latte, Caff mocha also comes to mind. Like Caff latte, Caff mocha is more popular in the United States as a variation of Caff latte. Caff mocha is inspired by a drink from Turin, Italy, and has a similar mixture of one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk, but it also includes a bit of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. Caff mocha is usually topped with whipped cream.
7. Frappuccino
Frappuchino
Frappuccino is often heard if you are a coffee lover of the well-known brand Starbucks. Frappuccino is not purely coffee; it is a coffee blend with a trademark owned by Starbucks. To make frappuccino, coffee is mixed with other ingredients such as ice, chocolate, Oreo, or other specified variants, then blended into one. It is usually served with whipped cream on top.
8. Instant Coffee
Nescafe Instant Coffee
This type is certainly very commonly consumed in Indonesia because it is easy to find. The production of instant coffee involves boiling coffee beans, or brewing them, and then drying them using freeze-drying or spray-drying methods, so they can be easily prepared by adding hot water. Instant coffee is easy to serve because it dissolves quickly in hot water, takes up little space, lasts longer, and often has a surprisingly sweet flavor that can sometimes overshadow the taste of the coffee itself.
9. Liqueur Coffee
Liqueur Coffee
For alcohol enthusiasts, Liqueur coffee is worth trying, as this coffee includes alcoholic beverages in its preparation. It is made by mixing one shot of alcoholic drink with coffee, then served with whipped cream. The variations of Liqueur coffee depend on the type of alcohol mixed, such as Brandy Coffee (Brandy), Irish Coffee (Whiskey), and Russian Coffee (Vodka).
10. Kopi Tubruk
Kopi Tubruk
Don’t say you’ve never heard of Kopi Tubruk. This drink is recognized from the eastern to the western edges of Indonesia due to its distinct characteristic of coarse coffee grounds. It is prepared by boiling coarsely ground coffee beans with sugar. However, Java and Bali are the most popular places for Kopi Tubruk.
11. Kopi Luwak
Kopi Luwak
The last type of coffee is the one Indonesia is most proud of, as it ranks among the most expensive coffees in the world. Kopi Luwak is a type of Arabica coffee that is eaten by the civet animal. The civet’s digestion does not grind the coffee beans, allowing the beans to remain whole in its droppings. The beans are then collected, processed, and can fetch a fantastic price of up to USD 100 per 450 grams. The preparation of Kopi Luwak is also very simple: just brew hot water into a porcelain cup and let it sit for a few minutes to capture the aroma of the coffee.
Almost everyone enjoys this popular drink, whether it is savored on its own or served alongside cakes or other foods.
Image source:
[1] https://www.starbucks.com/
[3] https://www.wikipedia.org/
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