Being a Coffee Lover is very "in" in the 21st century, and of course, so is coffee. Over the last 20 years we have seen a huge boom in the market for coffee shops as both a place to socialize and a place to stock up on caffeine hot (and even cold) beverages. There was a time when a coffee meant either instant or ground. All the luxury we got in our mugs was if it was filtered. Nowadays, an array of drinks are available on virtually every high street, specifically in the UK and USA. This is great when it comes to choice and variation, but it can be tough to know what to order. Here is a guide to what means what in the world of Baristas and Lattes.

• Espresso – made by forcing hot water through coffee beans, the Espresso is a small (tiny in fact) drink that makes up most of the other drinks mentioned, but can also be consumed on its own for a burst of caffeine.
• Latte – Steamed Milk with a shot of espresso, one of the more commonly ordered coffees on the high street.
• Cappucino – Similar recipe to the Latte, but this time with both steamed milk and froth or foam, a more light and airy drink which is often topped with chocolate dusting (or a corporate logo in the form of chocolate dusting!)
• Americano – With the name springing from its origins in America (sorry to state the obvious), the Americano is the perfect beginner coffee and the one that is most similar to what we make at home most of the time. Americano is an espresso that simply has boiling water added to dilute it. Many people then choose to add milk, but this is definitely down to preference.

The above are the most commonly ordered types of coffee, and form the basis of the drinks you'll probably walk away from the counter with. There are a huge amount of ways that you can then modify your beverage.

• Iced – You can have your coffee made cold and served over ice. Perfect for those summery days and clammy suits or dresses we wear to work!
• With Syrup – You can try a Vanilla Latte for example. Hazelnut, Caramel, Cinnamon and other syrups are often added to drinks to add a twist.
• Skinny – Simply made using lower fat milk, which can make a huge difference when you drink a lot of it! Some prefer the taste too.

That's a rough guide at least! Next time you go to a coffee shop you should be able to tell your Lattes from your Cappucinos and experiment with whatever your favorite drink may be.