Different coffee types: explained

This useful infographic simplifies confusing coffee terminology and shows you the different coffee to milk ratios in each drink. Make your favourite coffees from scratch at home with our easy recipes that take an everyday cup to the next level.

The difficult part when making coffee at home is getting your milk ratios right. Some smaller coffee drinks require less milk – a machiatto or a flat white will only need between 50ml and 100ml – whereas well-known names such as a latte or a cappuccino are traditionally made with larger quantities of steamed milk, somewhere between 150ml and 250ml. To create any milk-based coffee, you should use the same process each time: steam your milk with the steamer attachment on your coffee machine (or bring to the boil in a saucepan) which will create a lovely foam on top. Next up, hold your jug closely above a cup (filled with a freshly made espresso shot) and aim towards the centre. How do you create that lovely pattern on top? As the pour quickens, the milk will fold in on itself to create an eye-catching pattern.

See all of our coffee recipes and find more tips in our guide on how to steam milk at home.

If you are interested in coffee gadgets, we've rounded up the best pod machines, cafetières, coffee grinders and reusable coffee cups, too, plus check out our review of the best coffee machines on test.

What's your favourite type of coffee? Leave a comment below...