It is interesting and delightful to compare high-quality coffee flavors. Each flavor is unique and delicious, with certain variations. You can choose your favorite flavor by comparing the ingredients and brewing techniques of these options.
Why is espresso the base drink in Americano, cappuccino, and latte?
Espresso is the pure form of coffee. It is a concentrated form of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure.
All high-quality coffee flavors like cappuccino, Americano latte, and many other beverages use it as the base drink.
- Cappuccino
Cappuccino uses espresso as the base drink with adding steamed and foamed milk. It adds slightly more steamed and foamed milk to espresso.
- Latte
The latte is a milk-dominated drink with two espresso shots. It contains steamed and foamed milk with espresso.
- Americano
It also uses espresso as the base drink, but it contains no milk like most other flavors. An Americano adds double the volume of hot water to the espresso.
This is a good option if you prefer a diluted version of espresso.
Also, check the difference among latte vs Macchiato vs cortado.
Comparison Table: Espresso vs americano vs cappuccino vs latte
| Feature | Espresso | Americano | Cappuccino | Latte |
| Base | Espresso shot | Espresso shot | Espresso shot | Espresso shot |
| Water | None | Hot water added (1:1 or 1:2 ratio) | None | None |
| Milk (Steamed) | None | None | Yes (about 1/3 of the total volume) | Yes (majority of drink, 2/3 or more) |
| Milk Foam | None | None | Thick layer (~1/3 of the drink), airy and dry | Thin layer (1 cm), smooth and silky |
| Volume (Standard) | 30 ml (1 oz) | 120–180 ml (4–6 oz) | 150–180 ml (5–6 oz) | 240–360 ml (8–12 oz) |
| Taste | Strong, rich, concentrated | Milder than espresso, more diluted | Balanced: strong coffee flavor with creamy texture | Mild and creamy, espresso is less dominant |
| Strength | 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 | 🔥🔥 | 🔥🔥🔥 | 🔥🔥 |
| Caffeine (1 shot) | 63 mg | 63 mg | 63 mg | 63 mg (can be more with a double shot) |
| Texture | Thick, syrupy | Thin, watery | Light, airy foam on top | Smooth, creamy milk with light foam |
| Crema | Yes | Less prominent or none | Hidden under foam | Mostly hidden under milk and light foam |
| Common Cup | Demitasse (2–3 oz) | Ceramic or glass cup (6 oz) | Small cup or glass (6 oz) | Tall glass or mug (8–12 oz) |
| Best For | Quick, intense coffee hit | Sipping like brewed coffee with espresso flavor | Foam lovers who want espresso strength | Those who prefer mellow, milky coffee |
What is the difference in ingredients?
All these flavors are known for their delicious taste, aroma, and texture. The different ingredients make them unique and scrumptious.
Espresso
It is the only pure form of coffee, made with coffee beans and only a slight volume of water. No extra ingredients are added to make espresso. You can add milk to make other flavors.
Americano
This flavor is made by pouring double the volume of hot water over an espresso shot. It doesn’t add steamed or foamed milk.
We can call it a diluted form of espresso.
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Cappuccino
It usually adds one espresso shot and slightly more steamed and foamed milk.
A cappuccino has 1/3 of espresso, 1/3 of steamed milk, and 1/3 of foamed milk.
Latte
Unlike all other flavors, this drink is known for milk domination. If you love milk, pick a latte for your next beverage.
Its ingredients include two shots of espresso, double or triple the size of milk. Due to the high volume of milk, Latte is the largest drink compared to cappuccino, espresso, and Americano.
Also, check in detail Americano vs espresso vs cappuccino.
What is the difference in brewing method?
All four have certain variations in brewing methods. A slight change in ingredients or brewing can make it a different drink.
Espresso brewing process
It is a crucial ingredient for all four flavors and requires a simple brewing process.
This drink utilizes a precise brewing process that forces hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure.
Also, espresso needs no extra flavors or milk to brew.
Americano brewing process
A diluted version of espresso. It requires water with an espresso shot to complete the brewing process.
First, make an espresso shot and add double the volume of hot water on top.
Also, check the difference Cortado vs flat white vs latte.
Cappuccino brewing process
This drink has equal parts of espresso, steamed, and foamed milk.
Firstly, steamed milk pours into the cup of espresso. Now, topped with foamed milk.
Latte brewing process
A large volume of steamed and frothed milk add to the glass of espresso. Additionally, you can top it with aesthetic latte art.
What is the difference in taste and texture?
All these drinks have different tastes and textures.
Espresso Taste and texture
A strong, bitter, and concentrated coffee. No other flavor can compete with the strength and intensity of espresso. A finely extracted espresso can create thick crema on top.
Americano taste and texture
This drink is weaker than espresso. However, the addition of water reduces its intensity and bitterness. An Americano has a slight crema on top. Also, it has a much stronger flavor than a latte or cappuccino.
Cappuccino taste and texture
A fine balance of espresso and milk makes it a smoother and sweeter drink. Also, the foamed and steamed milk adds a thick and creamy texture.
Latte taste and texture
This drink is primarily milk-based, creamy, and milky, with a lesser presence of espresso flavor. The high milk content makes this drink sweeter and creamier.
What is the difference in serving size?
These drinks have different serving sizes. A latte has the largest serving size, while an espresso has the smallest cup size.
- Espresso serving size
A thick, concentrated espresso cup serves 1 oz. (30ml)
- Americano serving size
Americano serves in a 4 to 6-oz cup size. (120 to 180ml)
- Cappuccino serving size
A cappuccino is usually served in a 5 to 6-oz size. (150 to 180 ml)
- Latte serving size
A latte is served in a cup size of 12 to 16 oz. (240 to 360 ml)
Espresso vs Americano vs Cappuccino vs latte: Which flavor has fewer calories?
Most of the calorie count comes from milk, while espresso has almost no calories.
Latte has the most calories compared to cappuccino, Americano, and espresso. While Cappuccino has fewer calories than a latte, but more calories than an Americano and espresso.
| Drink | Ingredients | Calories (approx.) |
| Espresso | 1 shot (30 ml) | 1–2 kcal |
| Americano | 1 shot espresso + hot water | 2–5 kcal |
| Cappuccino | 1 shot espresso + steamed milk + foam | 60–80 kcal (whole milk) |
| Latte | 1 shot espresso + more steamed milk + foam | 100–150 kcal (whole milk) |
Which drink has more caffeine?
Caffeine depends on how many espresso shots are added to a drink. One cup of espresso contains around 63 mg of caffeine.
| Drink | Typical Espresso Shots | Caffeine (mg) |
| Espresso | 1 shot (30 ml) | 63 mg |
| Americano | 1–2 shots + hot water | 63–126 mg |
| Cappuccino | 1 shot + milk + foam | 63 mg |
| Latte | 1–2 shots + lots of milk | 63–126 mg |
Final thoughts: espresso vs americano vs cappuccino vs latte: Which drink to pick?
Each of these has scrumptious taste. It’s challenging to pick one drink over the other.
If you love a quick, strong, small cup of coffee, espresso should be your first choice. You can get a diluted form of espresso by adding hot water to get an Americano.
Someone who prefers a good amount of milk in coffee should pick a latte. However, if you like a good balance of coffee to milk, you should choose a Cappuccino.
So every drink has something different and unique.
Also, check the difference, flat white vs latte vs cappuccino.