Getting to Know Your Coffee

As the weather begins cooling down, that morning cup of coffee tastes and feels a little bit better than you remember! According to the National Coffee Association, Americans drink 516 million cups per day. Including plain black coffee, different combinations of espresso, water, milk, cream, and sugar have made their way onto the mainstage, and many Americans swear by their morning joe.

Benefits of Coffee

• Coffee may help you live longer. High in antioxidants – especially chlorogenic acids – it may protect against inflammation and aid in blood sugar regulation. Coffee drinkers have also shown to have a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, and certain cancers.
• These benefits are found in people who drink one to three cups a day of either plain black coffee or black coffee with just a little sugar and/or a bit of milk or cream.
• You lose the benefits when you add more than ½ teaspoon of sugar, 5 tablespoons of 2% milk, or 1 tablespoon of cream or half-and-half in 8 ounces of coffee.
• Too much of a good thing is unhealthy, though. The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day for the average adult. Keep in mind that different beans and brews have varying levels of caffeine. For example, 1 ounce of espresso has 63 mg of caffeine while 12 ounces of drip coffee has 144 mg of caffeine.

How to Buy Coffee

• Coffee tastes different depending on the region where the beans were grown. Colombian beans tend to be fruity and citrusy. Costa Rican beans tend to have bright acidity. Blends simply combine beans from different regions to create a specific flavor profile.
• Pre-ground coffee is convenient and consistently tastes the same, but grinding beans just before brewing them intensifies the flavor and aroma of the coffee bean.
• Know your roasts: light roasts have a brighter, lighter taste with citrus or floral undertones while dark roasts tend to be stronger, richer, and more bitter and full-bodied. “French roast” and “Italian roast” are other terms for dark roast. While medium roast is meant to be somewhere between light and dark roast, the actual flavor profile may range from very light to very dark depending on the brand.
• Oxygen, heat, light, and moisture negatively affect coffee’s flavor. When buying coffee, check that the bag is not punctured or has had moisture seep through. Store coffee in an airtight container. You can also freeze your coffee in tightly sealed bags in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.

Coffee Cheat Sheet

When you drop by your favorite coffee spot, do you feel overwhelmed looking at the menu and not knowing each type of coffee listed? See below for a quick cheat sheet.

• Espresso
  • Made by forcing hot water through packed grounds. Strong and bitter. Typically mixed with water or cream, though sometimes consumed alone.
• Ristretto
  • Espresso, but made with half the amount of water, creating a more concentrated but smoother and less bitter drink than a normal espresso.
• Caffe Macchiato
  • Espresso with a dallop of steamed milk foam on top to add a bit of sweetness and reduce the bitterness of an espresso.
• Cappuccino
  • Espresso topped with an equal amount of steamed milk and foam, creating a drink balanced between all three elements.
• Latte
  • Similar to a cappuccino but with 2 parts steamed milk, 1 part espresso, and a dallop of foam on top.
• Flat White
  • A single or double shot of espresso topped with a thick layer of steamed milk. There is very little foam on top, which is referenced by the name.
• Americano
  • Espresso watered down with 3 parts water and 1 part espresso. Occasionally enjoyed with a splash of milk, though typically consumed black.
• Cold Brew
  • Created by steeping coffee grounds in room-temp or cold water, cold brew tends to be smoother and less bitter than drop coffee. Serve it iced or hot.
• Nitro Brew
  • The same as a cold brew but infused with nitrogen gas for a frothier texture.

Source: Consumer Reports September & October 2025