Espresso is a strong, concentrated coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure. A single shot of espresso has about 60–80 mg of caffeine, while a regular cup of drip coffee often has 90–150 mg. Espresso just tastes stronger because it’s concentrated. Espresso requires a very fine grind—almost like powdered sugar. Too coarse or too fine, and the shot will taste either weak or bitter.

Brands like Starbucks helped popularize iced lattes worldwide, especially with flavored versions like vanilla, caramel, and seasonal drinks. One reason iced lattes spread so widely is consistency. Whether you’re in New York City, Tokyo, or Paris, you can order a similar iced latte and get a predictable result. That helped build global familiarity with the drink.

Modern cappuccinos only became possible after espresso machines were invented in the early 1900s. Before that, the drink didn’t exist in its current form. In Italy, ordering a cappuccino after about 11 a.m. is considered unusual. Locals typically switch to straight espresso later in the day. “Cappuccino” is inspired by the robes of Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchin monks). The drink’s color—a mix of espresso and milk—resembled their brown robes with lighter hoods.