Milk-based Coffee Drinks
Flat White: A single espresso shot topped up with steamed milk and a small layer of micro-foam; approx. ⅓ coffee : ⅔ milk.
Cappuccino: Single espresso in a 170 ml cup, filled with steamed milk and foam (often with a sprinkle of chocolate on top).
Caffè Latté (Latte): A taller drink (around 260 ml) – one espresso shot topped up with steamed milk and approx. 1 cm of foamed milk on top.
Piccolo Latté: A smaller format – a single espresso shot in a 4 oz cup or glass, topped with steamed milk (like a mini latte).
Mocha: Starts with a single espresso shot, adds drinking chocolate, then steamed milk - a good choice for those who like chocolate + coffee.
Affogato: One shot of espresso served with two scoops of ice-cream. (While not strictly a milk-based coffee, the blog includes it under the “milk coffee” heading as a dessert-style option.)
Black Coffee Drinks
Espresso (Short Black): A single 30 ml shot of espresso with nothing added.
Long Black: Hot water is poured first (⅔ cup), then a double espresso is added on top, preserving the crema and delivering fuller aromatic taste.
Ristretto: A single dose of espresso but extraction is restricted, so only ~15 ml rather than 30 ml - strong, very smooth, less bitter.
Macchiato: Single shot of espresso “marked” with a very small dash of textured milk. The blog notes that modern Australian cafés may use “long macchiatos” (double-shot + milk) or variants.
How this helps you pick beans:
If you brew mainly milk coffees (flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, piccolo), look for beans/blends and roast profiles that hold up well against milk - fuller body, bold flavour, good mid to dark roasts.
If you prefer black coffees (espresso, long black, ristretto, macchiato) then beans/blends with pronounced origin character, medium roasts or lighter (if you like brighter flavours), and clarity of flavour will serve you best.
Knowing which drink style you aim for helps you align your bean choice, roast level and flavour profile accordingly - this improves satisfaction and helps you get the most from your purchase.
For more information, see Australian Coffee Types Explained