Types of Black Coffee

In this article, we will review the most common types of black coffee: where they come from, in what quantities they are made, how they differ from each other, and how they can be made at home.

Black coffee is a coffee drink made exclusively from coffee and water. It does not contain milk, herbal infusions, sugar or other flavourings. Most known black coffees are espresso-based, i.e. coffee extracted under high pressure in a short time, which is sometimes diluted with water.

Black coffee plays an important role in coffee culture, as it is in this form that the subtle differences in coffee bean varieties, roasting characteristics and preparation are most noticeable.
Different black coffee varieties can be ideal for different situations, whether it's a short, concentrated drink or a coffee that can be consumed over a longer period of time.

Coffee is a complex beverage that contains hundreds of different dissolved substances. Together, these give it its taste, aroma, and sensory experience.

If you’re in Bulgaria, don’t be surprised if it’s served with soda instead of water. In Denmark, on the other hand, the water is replaced with milk, while in Serbia, the Frappé is served with milk or ice cream and topped with freshly whipped cream. Boston, however, puts its own twist on the drink, where it is actually a milkshake made with ice cream and simply pronounced ‘frap’.

The main components of coffee are:

The amount of each of these in your cup depends largely on the fineness of the ground coffee, the temperature of the water, the extraction time, and the degree of roasting. These factors are present in different proportions for each type of black coffee.

Espresso is the basis of modern black coffee. Almost all other variations start from it, whether shorter, longer or diluted. Espresso is a small, concentrated drink made from finely ground coffee under high pressure.

What is espresso coffee and where it comes from?

How to make espresso with capsules and a traditional machine

Variations directly derived from espresso include ristretto, lungo, and doppio, all of which follow the same basic principle, but with different proportions.

Ristretto is one of the most intense, concentrated versions of espresso. It is made with the same amount of ground coffee as a classic espresso, but is brewed for a shorter time and with less water. This shorter extraction results in the “first, most aromatic wave” of the coffee being delivered to the cup — the densest, sweetest, most aromatic part.

Often recognizable at the coffee shop counter or when you’re brewing it at home: ristretto comes with a darker, thicker crema, and a more compact appearance.

A ristretto is typically a 15–20 ml drink, while the amount of ground coffee used is the same as that of an espresso (approximately 7–9 g).
Due to the shorter extraction:

A ristretto is thus essentially a “concentrated espresso essence”.

The difference between ristretto and espresso is not primarily in the amount of coffee used, but in how much water and for how long we let it pass through the same grind.
Espresso provides a more complete extraction: it is made for a longer time, with a larger amount of water, so a wider range of flavors can be experienced in it, balanced by its own, bitter and harvested unit.
Ristretto, on the other hand, focuses on a much narrower, but more intense, aroma spectrum. The shorter extraction best dissolves the first, sweeter layer of the coffee, which is why the drink is thicker, more syrupy and less watery.
While espresso is more complex and round, ristretto is more of a frozen moment of the most aromatic and concentrated part of the espresso.

When should we choose ristretto?

What is Americano coffee?

An Americano is typically a drink of between 120 and 240 ml, making it considerably larger than an espresso while maintaining its distinctive espresso character. It is prepared by brewing a standard shot of espresso and then adding hot water, creating a longer black coffee that is smooth, balanced, and easy to drink.
Because the espresso is extracted normally and diluted afterwards, an Americano retains the rich aromas and flavour profile of espresso without increasing extraction time. The added water softens the intensity, resulting in a lighter body and a cleaner finish. Compared to an espresso, the taste is less concentrated and more approachable, while still offering the nuanced notes of the coffee beans.
This combination of bold espresso flavour and a longer drinking experience has made the Americano a popular choice among black coffee lovers. Whether enjoyed at a café or prepared at home with Americano capsules, it delivers a satisfying cup that balances strength, smoothness, and drinkability.

Although both drinks are based on espresso, they are prepared and enjoyed differently. Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee with an intense flavour and full body. An Americano, by contrast, is made by adding hot water to a freshly brewed espresso, creating a larger and milder drink.

This difference is reflected in the taste: espresso is rich, bold and concentrated, while an Americano is smoother, lighter-bodied and easier to sip over a longer period, allowing the coffee's aromas to unfold more gently.

A doppio is a more generous, full-bodied version of a classic espresso, made with a larger filter basket and twice the amount of ground coffee. The point is not just the higher caffeine dose, but the fact that the water flowing through the double amount of coffee cake creates a single, continuous extraction. This uniform tapping makes the doppio a full, reliable and uniform taste experience that two separately brewed espressos often cannot reproduce in the same way.

A doppio is typically made with 14–18 grams of ground coffee, and approximately 50–60 ml of drink is poured into the cup. The end result is not the merging of two separate espressos, but a single stream of water passed through a larger cake, which results in a more even taste, more stable body and a more harmonious aroma structure.

Although doppio naturally contains more caffeine, the taste experience is not twice as intense. The larger volume often results in a more balanced, less pungent, yet richer and deeper aroma. The crema can be thicker and the texture creamier, making it especially enjoyable for those who like a longer, yet full-bodied black coffee.

The big advantage of a doppio is that it is made with a single extraction, stable temperature and a continuous flow profile, resulting in a more uniform, smoother and predictable flavor profile. With two separate shots, temperature fluctuations, slight differences in grind or tapping rhythm can already affect the flavor profile — which is why many people choose a doppio if they want a reliable, consistent experience.

An Americano is an espresso-based black coffee that is diluted with hot water, creating a larger, smoother-textured drink. Although it differs in structure from a longer-brewed lungo, it still retains the aromas of espresso, just in a less concentrated, lighter form. For many, an Americano is the “transition” between the intensity of espresso and the clarity of filter coffees: an aromatic, yet long-sip drink.

An americano is usually a 150–240 ml drink, the character of which is determined by the ratio of water to espresso: more water creates a softer, lighter taste, while less water leaves a more pronounced aroma. The most balanced result is obtained if the hot water is poured into the cup first, and the espresso is prepared accordingly. This way, the crema naturally spreads on the surface, the drink becomes less bitter, and it retains the clean, aromatic character that makes the americano a lighter alternative to the lungo for many.

The origin of the Americano can be traced back to World War II. According to the story, Italian espresso was too strong for American soldiers arriving in Europe, so they diluted it with hot water to make it more similar to the longer, milder coffee they were used to in their homeland. Hence the name: the “Americano” is not an Italian invention, but a version of espresso culture adapted to American tastes. It is now widespread worldwide and represents a separate category among black coffees in many cafes.

What is black coffee?
Black coffee is made with coffee and water only, without milk or sugar. This includes espresso-based drinks such as ristretto, lungo, doppio and americano.