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An espresso cut with a small amount of steamed milk.

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How drink styles change the cup

What it means

An espresso cut with a small amount of steamed milk. It softens bitterness and acidity without moving far from the shot itself, so the coffee still leads the cup instead of the milk.

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Where this leads

Each one pushes this into the cup, compares it, or helps you act on it.

How drink styles change the cup

Cappuccino

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If the foam dominates, the drink tastes dry and mutes sweetness.

How drink styles change the cup

Cafe au Lait

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Expect a gentler breakfast-style cup rather than espresso texture.

How drink styles change the cup

Frappe

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Judge it as a cold, foamy coffee drink, not as a precise expression of the beans.

How drink styles change the cup

Caffe Americano

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Start with a good espresso because hot water will not rescue a flawed one.